Services

Sleep is a foundation of mental and physical health. Insomnia symptoms (trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, and/or waking up too early) are a common challenge. Cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is recommended in medical guidelines as the first-line treatment for insomnia. It is a short-term psychological (non-drug) therapy that targets the causes of chronic sleeplessness.

Cardiac psychology is a specialty involving the application of psychological science to help prevent and cope with heart disease. Psychological therapy can help people adjust to the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term impacts of a heart attack, surgery, heart failure, or other heart condition. Psychologists can help with health-promoting behavioural changes to reduce risk factors, while optimizing quality of life.

Depression and anxiety are common and often accompany health challenges. Depression involves low mood or loss of interest, along with symptoms like weight change, sleep disturbance, and fatigue. Anxiety can involve frequent or excessive fear, worry, phobias, panic attacks, avoiding certain situations, or feeling on-edge. Effective psychological treatments are available, tailored to each person’s situation.

Work, relationship problems, finances, and other pressures can gradually become overwhelming. When stress is prolonged or intense, it can affect health and day-to-day life. There are a range of psychological techniques to help deal with life’s stressors and their impact on mental and physical wellbeing.

Lifestyle factors are essential to preventing and managing most chronic diseases such as heart disease, obesity, cancer, and diabetes. Health psychologists can help with quitting smoking, being more active, following a healthy pattern of eating, managing stress, and other lifestyle change. Approaches such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness can improve healthy habits and mood.

Spouses, friends, and families often experience significant stress when supporting a loved one through new or chronic illness. Support is available to explore the pressures and emotional impacts of helping someone through difficult medical situations. Many people find that taking time for themselves improves their quality of life and makes them a more effective caregiver in the long run.