Stroke Psychology Services

There is a lot of information available on the internet about stroke, and although this can be useful it can also sometimes be overwhelming. The Stroke Association and Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland are good places to start. They provide up to date information on a broad range of factors linked to stroke including psychological wellbeing and information for carers. Your clinician may also recommend additional resources specific to your needs. Links to the Stroke Association and Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland websites and some useful resources can be found below:

• Stroke Association website
• A complete guide to emotional changes after stroke
• A complete guide to communication problems after stroke
• A complete guide to cognitive problems after stroke
• Stroke – A carer’s guide
• Chest Heart and Stroke

When working with individuals who have had a stroke Clinical Psychologists can offer support in several areas including:

• Psychological distress linked to the stroke, including mood-related difficulties (e.g. anxiety, depression or anger).
• Difficulties controlling your emotions.
• Difficulties with adjustment to life after stroke.
• Neuropsychological assessment – Administering tests to evaluate how the stroke might have effected functions of your brain such as memory, attention or language.
• Adapting to changes in brain function such as memory problems or difficulty concentrating

The type of support needed will be based on your needs identified at assessment. This might involve signposting/linking into services, education on particular topics or psychological therapy.

Sometimes we are offering appointments via telephone or video link. Below you will find some useful tips and things that might help you make the most of remote appointments via video or telephone.

Prior to appointments

• If you are due to have a video appointment your clinician will include instructions on how to access this with your appointment letter. There is a ‘Test Call’ function on the link you will have received to enable your appointment. This will check your equipment is capable and your internet connection is strong enough to enable a successful video consultation. It is worthwhile testing this out prior to your appointment.
  • You might also have the opportunity to check your equipment/ familiarise yourself with it with a member of the admin staff prior to your appointment.
  • If you are using a laptop or desktop computer, the internet connection is better if you can use an Ethernet cable plugged directly into your router, rather than Wi-Fi.
  • If possible, limit the number of devices in the house using Wi-Fi, switch mobile phones onto airplane mode, and close any unused tabs / programmes on your devices.
• If you are due to have your appointment via telephone, before the appointment make sure you have a quiet, private space free from distractions, in which you will not be disturbed before the appointment.

During appointments

• You may wish to wear headphones (if using a mobile phone) to increase privacy
• The member of staff may have sent you a contract to sign in advance and will discuss this at the first session as well as the pros & cons of this way of working
• You may also have been sent information between appointments- it would be helpful to have this to hand
• It can be helpful to have a pen/ paper to hand to jot down notes, any goals agreed and take a note of the next appointment

After appointments

• The staff member might send out relevant materials by post or e-mail following the session. If possible, please read over this and try any strategies suggested prior to your next session
• The staff member might want to evaluate the mode of communication used for your sessions. It would be very helpful to have honest feedback in order to make improvements to the service
• Please let the staff member know of any concerns/ difficulties you are experiencing with this way of working