Dermatology (skin)

Dr Asha Greaves (Senior Clinical Psychologist) 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.

Why is there a Clinical Psychologist in the Dermatology Service?

Living with chronic skin problems can bring many different feelings and challenges. This may include anxiety, anger, sadness or shame. Skin conditions can also affect self-esteem and body image, and the often chronic and unpredictable nature of these conditions can be difficult to accept and adjust to. For some people, these experiences can lead to issues like depression and anxiety, or can simply feel overwhelming. This is where a Clinical Psychologist may be able to help. Our role is to provide emotional and psychological support to patients who are struggling with their psychological wellbeing due to their skin condition. 

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: 

• Severe anxiety relating to skin condition or treatment
• Depression as a result of the skin condition
• Trauma relating to the skin condition or treatment
• Body image or self-esteem issues
• Difficulties adjusting to diagnoses or treatment regimes

Who is the service for?

The service is primarily available to adult outpatients 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 7TF
• 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. 

Useful Resources

The below resources may be beneficial for those living with a skin condition. Please note that for legal purposes The Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust is not responsible for the content or reliability of linked websites or resources.

Acne  

• Acne support (from the British Association of Dermatologists) contains useful advice around emotional support and signposting.

Eczema         

• Eczema UK (previously the national Eczema society) offer general advice/information, and has information about local eczema support groups

Psoriasis       

• The Psoriasis Association offers a helpline and online forums/ peer to peer support
• The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance Offers self-help information, and an online programme called E-Tips which uses principles of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), to support people with issues such as low self-esteem and negative thoughts, relating to their experience of psoriasis.  
• The book “Coping with Psoriasis” by Dr Catherine O’Leary: written by a clinical psychologist who has psoriasis, this gives a first-hand account of the challenges of living with psoriasis, along with psychological tools and techniques to address common difficulties.

HS      

• The HS Support Network, UK & Ireland offer monthly virtual educational and peer support sessions (people can sign up for sessions by emailing [email protected])

Vitiligo

• Vitiligo society offer advice, guidance, online forums and monthly facilitated support groups.

Alopecia

• Alopecia UK offer advice and guidance, and local peer support groups (including a Leeds based group)

Skin picking

• Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours UK & Ireland offers advice, information and online support groups.

Non condition specific resources:

The below resources may be helpful for those with any type of skin condition, where concerns relate to appearance or living with a visible difference:

• Changing Faces is a charity established to support individuals who have a visible difference (including many skin conditions). Individuals can access resources directly online by visiting their website or by calling 0300 012 0275
• The visible difference support hub is a collaboration between the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) at UWE and national charities, the Visible Difference Support Hub provides advice and support on a range of conditions that affect how a person looks.