Dermatology Psychology

Dr Chandra Grabill provides a service to patients referred by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Dermatology Department.The Clinical Psychology Service primarily supports adult patients who have psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), or eczema.

Appointments are available at St James’s Hospital (Fielding House), Chapel Allerton (outpatient Dermatology clinic), or via video consultation.

Further information for patients

Why is there a Clinical Psychologist in the Dermatology Service?

Living with chronic skin problems can bring many different feelings, both for you and those close to you. These may include shock, disbelief, fear, anxiety, loneliness and resentment. Sometimes they come together in a way that can feel overwhelming. This may cause you to worry about how you will manage. This is where a Clinical Psychologist may be able to help. Our role is to provide emotional and psychological support to patients who have inflammatory skin conditions. 

How could the Clinical Psychology Service help?

Psychologists can help people in a variety of ways. Rather than prescribing medications, clinical psychologists are trained to help people talk through their problems. The person you see will have an understanding of the psychological effects that dermatological conditions and their treatments can have. Everyone is different and many people find it helpful to talk about how the skin condition may affect different areas of their lives. Sometimes talking through problems can help people to find better ways of managing their difficulties. You will not have to talk about anything that you don’t want to. 

Examples of things that people often talk to Clinical Psychologists about include: 

• Depression or anxiety related to the skin condition
• Sleep difficulties related to the condition or its treatment
• Problems managing skin condition or treatments
• Body image or self-esteem issues
• Difficulties adjusting to diagnoses or treatment regimes

Who is the service for?

The service is available to adult patients with psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), or eczema who are under the care of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Adult Dermatology Service. We focus on helping with the emotional or psychological difficulties relating to skin problems. It may be that some of your difficulties are not related to your experience of skin problems, and if so, we may help you access another source of support for these issues.

What happens to the information I share with you?

Information that you share with the Clinical Psychologist is kept confidential and notes we write in meetings will be kept separate from your medical notes. Clinical Psychologists have a responsibility to tell somebody if they are worried that you or somebody else is at risk of getting hurt. We would always try to discuss this with you first. Your Clinical Psychologist will talk more about confidentiality with you at your first appointment.

What should I do if I would like this kind of help?

If you feel that you might benefit from talking to a Clinical Psychologist, please speak to your Dermatology doctors or nurses. They will help to decide if this is the most appropriate service for you. There might be a wait before you can be seen by the service (the doctor or nurse referring you will be able to find out more about this, or you could telephone our department).

Who will I see?

The person you will see will usually be a qualified Clinical Psychologist who specialises in working with people with dermatological diseases. You will usually see the same person throughout your care.

How often will you see the Clinical Psychologist?

You and the Clinical Psychologist can discuss how often it would be best to meet. Some people see the Clinical Psychologist only once or twice, others may see them once a week or once a fortnight for several weeks or months. 

Where will I see the psychologist?

Appointments are offered at:

• The Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Fielding House, St James’s University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7T#
• Chapel Allerton Hospital Outpatient Dermatology Service, Chapeltown Road, Leeds, LS7 4SA
• Video Consultation

Where can I get more information?

If you want to find out more about the Clinical Psychology Service, please ask one of the doctors or nurses involved in your care. 

The Clinical Psychologist working in the Clinical Psychology Dermatology Service is: 

Dr. Chandra Grabill, Senior Clinical Psychologist (phone: 0113 206 5897)