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What is health psychology?
Health psychology examines how thoughts, emotions, behaviour, relationships and social conditions interact with physical health and medical care. This does not mean that physical symptoms are imaginary or caused by the mind. A health psychologist works with the psychological demands that can accompany a real health condition, medical treatment or health-related behaviour change. My formal professional qualification is in medical psychology in Israel. For an international audience, the term health psychologist more clearly describes this area of practice.
Health-related behaviour change
Coping with illness and treatment
Support with the emotional impact of diagnosis, symptoms, medical uncertainty, ongoing treatment and changes in daily functioning.
Evidence-informed care
Using psychological research while also considering its limitations, the person's circumstances and whether an intervention is actually helping.
Communication and shared decisions
Preparing for medical appointments, expressing concerns and taking an active role in decisions about care.
Preparation for medical procedures
Working with fear, avoidance, pain-related anxiety and previous difficult medical experiences before tests or procedures.
Families and healthcare professionals
Support with caregiver strain, difficult conversations, compassion fatigue and the emotional impact of working with illness.