Psychology
Disabilities don’t just affect people in a physical way. They can have an effect on people's ability to learn, to get along with others, and on their feelings about themselves. Psychologists at Novita provide help in these and other similar areas. Psychologists work with infants, children, adolescents and their families, and with staff to help people with disabilities. We aim to work together with families to achieve the best possible quality of life, by helping them to cope with the day-to-day psychological demands placed upon them.
Once registered with Novita, children or members of their families usually meet a psychologist at some stage. Some meet socially, and others meet for a personal confidential chat. It's not unusual to meet on a regular basis for a while. The psychologist is keen to meet families even if they have no particular problem to discuss. Parents may get a call from the psychologist, just to say 'hello' and to introduce themselves.
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How do psychologists help?
Psychologists understand the things that children, adolescents and adults have to go through to develop and adjust to challenges in life. Psychologists collect information to help work out areas of strength and areas in which a person may need more help. The psychologist will then offer some ideas and suggestions that may help the child and their family. Psychologists work together with children and their families through advice, counselling and teaching helpful skills. These services may be provided in
Novita offices, in schools or in the family home.
The psychologist will work first with things that are most directly connected to the disability of the child. If psychologists are not able to provide the help themselves, they will offer to refer people on to another agency or professional who may be able to help.
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What kinds of issues can a psychologist help with?
Some reasons parents and carers may contact a psychologist include when they, or their child, are experiencing:
- anxiety
- child behaviour problems
- depression
- difficulties getting along with people of their own age, parents and others
- difficulty coming to terms with disability
- emotional distress
- fear
- grief
- learning problems
- low motivation
- poor self-image
- marriage or relationship difficulties
- sexuality issues
- sibling issues
- uncertainty or confusion about plans for the future.
However, people are always welcome to contact a psychologist, even if there is no particular problem. People may wish simply to get some more information about parenting or just catch up for a chat.
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How do I find out if a psychologist can help?
You can do this in a number of ways:
- Just have a chat to a psychologist in your region.
- If you are not sure who this is, contact any of the Novita offices and ask to speak with the psychologist.
- Contact the manager of one of the regions.
- Talk to any of the therapists in other disciplines (for example, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists).