About us

The Psychology Department (General Health) provides  clinical psychology and clinical neuropsychology services to inpatients at Austin Health.

Clinical psychology

Our clinical psychologists specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychological issues.

We can help patients with medical conditions to:

• Understand and adjust to their illness or injury
• Cope with emotions including depression, anxiety, stress, grief and loss
• Cope with trauma of diagnosis, disability, and rehabilitation
• Better manage somatic complaints such as pain, fatigue, issues with sleep
• Assist with behaviour changes including engaging in healthy lifestyle habits

Clinical neuropsychology

Our clinical neuropsychologists specialise in an understanding of the relationship between brain function and behaviour. We assess, direct management, and provide intervention for changes in thinking and behaviour that may arise from any form of known or suspected brain dysfunction including:

• Head injury
• Epilepsy
• Neurological disease
• Stroke
• Substance use (drug and alcohol) disorders
• Neurodivergence

We help patients and our care teams:

• Understand underlying thinking abilities and the related impact on function
• Manage complex behaviours and development of comprehensive behaviour plans
• Diagnose brain dysfunction
• Guide and assess relevant medical/surgical treatment options
• Provide treatment strategies and discharge planning for patients with changes in their thinking and/or behaviour.

Referrals

For patients

You can only access this service when you are staying in hospital or referred by Austin Health staff. 

For health professionals

The clinical psychology service can only be accessed during a hospital admission or when referred by Austin Health clinical staff.

A number of clinical neuropsychology outpatient clinics are available in General Health. Referrals are only accepted from health professionals and are subject to a strict triage process re: suitability for the service.

Our services

We provide the following services:

• A short-term program for people who are at medical risk because of the severity of their eating problems but who are unable to commit to a longer stay recovery program
• A recovery program aimed at helping you to restore your health and learn new skills to enable you to continue to recover out of hospital with the support of family, friends and community treatment
• Treatment using motivational interviewing, family based work and individual psychotherapy
• Education about your illness