Pain psychology is embedded within the Living Well with Pain service.
The pain psychology service offers the opportunity to talk with someone who is trained in emotional wellbeing.
We offer both 1-to-1 and group support through the the pain management programme. Some examples of problems that we can help with include:
-
Learning how to cope with pain and live a valued quality of life
-
Acceptance and adjustment to living with pain
-
Pacing for pain
-
Increasing self-compassion and self-confidence
-
Managing low mood, self-critical thoughts, anxiety, grief and relational concerns that are often associated with experience of pain
-
Understanding mind-body links and the impact of trauma and adverse life experiences on pain
-
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for trauma and pain experience.
General information on what psychology can help with and how psychology can help can be found back on the main page.
Dr Louise Hamilton, pain psychology service lead
I joined Northumbria Healthcare in 2020. I initially worked as a clinical psychologist within the Living Well with Pain (LWWP) service and then within stroke services, before taking on the role as a service lead for LWWP in October 2022.
I am passionate about helping people to understand their health condition, develop self-compassion and move towards a better quality of life. I have a strong interest in the role of trauma and adverse experiences in the development of pain and persistent physical symptoms.
My therapy approach is integrative, drawing upon models such as ACT, CFT, EMDR and internal family systems/parts – informed work (more information here).
Outside of work, some of the activities I love the most are roller-skating, gym, dressmaking and spending time with my Pomeranian dog.
Dr Anna McIvor, counselling psychologist
I joined Northumbria Healthcare in October 2022 and I work as a counselling psychologist in both the diabetes and pain service. I was born and raised in Sweden and completed my counselling psychology doctorate at Glasgow Caledonian University.
I am passionate about helping those with chronic conditions to live the best quality of life. To achieve this, I believe a person-centred approach is important and therefore is what lies at the heart of my practice.
My therapy takes an integrative approach, drawing upon models such as CBT, ACT and CFT (more information here).
Outside of work I enjoy singing, playing piano, and doing yoga.
Dr Lin Stevenson, clinical psychologist
I joined the NHS in 2016 as an assistant psychologist, moving to the North East for clinical psychology training in 2020. I first joined the health psychology department at Northumbria Healthcare as a trainee clinical psychologist and returned after finishing the course.
Working within a physical health setting, I find it is important to understand the interplay between mental and physical wellbeing, aiming to enhance patients' overall health outcomes with a holistic approach to their care.
My therapeutic approach is intergrative, often incorporating elements from ACT, CFT attachment theory, and systemic family therapy models (more information here).
I spend a lot of my free time close to, or in, the sea or walking (very slowly) with my elderly dog, Summer.
Dr Joanne Clarkin, principal clinical psychologist
I joined Northumbria Healthcare in October 2023 as a clinical psychologist working within the Living Well with Pain service and the diabetes service. I moved to the North East in 2017 to complete my Master’s degree in clinical and health psychology and stayed here to complete my clinical psychology training in 2020.
During my training, I had the opportunity to work with several different health psychology services and discovered my interest in understanding the relationship between our physical health and mental health / wellbeing. I draw upon CBT, ACT and CFT (more information here) within my practice.
Michael Bradbury, psychological therapist
I joined Northumbria Healthcare in October 2023 and I have worked in the field of psychology and mental health for nearly 20 years. I became a qualified cognitive behavioural therapist (CBT) in 2010 and I completed training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in 2016.
I have worked with a range of patients who have experienced mental health issues, and this has included patients who have been diagnosed with long-term health conditions. My role as a psychological therapist within the Living Well with Pain Service is to help patients manage symptoms, depression and anxiety that have been triggered in the face of physical health issues.
Dr Laura Wray, clinical psychologist
I joined Northumbria Healthcare in October 2023 as a clinical psychologist working within the bariatric service and the Living Well with Pain service. I completed my master’s degree in health psychology in 2017, and then I went on to work in various clinical health psychology services across the North East. In 2020, I moved to Manchester to complete my clinical psychology training.
My therapeutic approach is often integrative, where I draw upon ACT, CFT and CBT (more information here).
In my free time, I enjoy baking, walking my cockapoo on the beach, and reading with a nice cup of coffee.
Dr Andrew Bulman, health psychologist
I joined Northumbria Healthcare in October 2024 as an applied psychologist in the Living Well with Pain service, following a previous career in real estate in London and Canada.
I completed my Doctorate in Health Psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2024. I'm passionate about supporting people living with persistent pain to improve their wellbeing and develop a strong sense of control in their lives.
My integrative therapeutic approach draws on PCT, ACT, and includes elements of CFT, PRT, and EAET (more information here).
Outside of work, I enjoy time with my young family and stay active through sea swimming, cycling, and touch rugby.
Dr Dorothy Cassidy, clinical psychologist
Hi, my name is Dorothy and I’m a clinical psychologist working in the Live Well With Pain Service. I joined the service in November 2024 after completing the clinical psychology doctorate. Prior to that I was living and working in Scotland, which is where I’m from. My prior academic and work experience is varied, covering research, policy and clinical work. I have previously worked in child and adolescent mental health services, drug and alcohol rehabilitation services, and a charity supporting people affected by crime.
I am trained in CBT, for which I am accredited by the British Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapies (BABCP). I often take an integrative approach to my therapy; in addition to CBT, I draw on mindfulness, ACT and CFT (more information here).
In my work, I am passionate about helping people deepen their understanding of the connection between mind and body, and fostering wellbeing through connection with core values.
Outside of work, I enjoy walking, running, being in nature, and trying to improve my Spanish!
You can be referred by your GP or pain consultant into the Living Well with Pain service. We will then allocate you to either physiotherapy, psychology or both, as appropriate.
You will be contacted as soon as an appointment becomes available.
Appointments will be arranged directly with you or by telephone or letter. If, for any reason, you cannot attend, please let us know as soon as possible. If we don’t hear from you, we may presume that you no longer want psychological support and may discharge you from the service.