This service follows the biopsychosocial model and mind-body approach.

The Physical Health Psychology team offer a range of services across Cumbria and North Lancashire to help you to manage your physical symptoms and live a happier, healthier life.

A team of Healthcare Professionals made up of Psychological Practitioners, CBT Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Wellbeing Activators and Living Well Coaches.

You can be referred if:

You live in South Cumbria

You have one or more of the following physical health conditions:

• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Heart problems
• Chronic respiratory difficulties (e.g. COPD)
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME (please click here to find out more about our CFS South Cumbria service)

When your GP or health care team have suggested that you come to meet us, we will send you a letter telling you more about our service, and offering you an appointment. We will also send you some questionnaires to fill out about your mood and how you are coping.

• These appointments are available in Furness and South Lakeland.

• We will try to offer you an appointment near your home. This may be a local health centre or GP surgery.

The first appointment lasts about 50 minutes. This will give us a chance to think together about your health difficulties, your mood, your family and other important people in your life, and any challenging life events.

The session will be at a pace that suits you, and you will not be expected to speak about anything you would prefer not to.

During the appointment, we will agree on a plan with you based on what will be most helpful to you. The plan could include:

• One-to-one talking therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Please click here to find out more about these different therapy types.
• One-to-One Physiotherapy appointments
• Group courses which will help you to learn different ways of managing your physical health and mood, alongside other people with similar difficulties e.g. our Living Well with and Beyond Cancer Course.

“My difficulties are physical, how can a psychologist help me?”

We all experience stress at times, but living with a physical health condition can make everyday things more difficult and can have an effect on your quality of life. For example, you may feel anxious, sad, lonely, or irritable, and this might be affecting your relationships. It can also bring up memories or difficult feelings from the past which you thought you had dealt with.

We hope to work with you to help you make changes that will help you live a happier, healthier life. This will be a joint effort, and we will make decisions with you, not for you – this approach is guided by information from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence .