2019-20 Annual Service Provision and Statistics

Clinical Psychological Services

Objectives:

Clinical Psychologists of SWD assess and treat clients who have psychological disturbances, aiming to ameliorate their distress and enhance their functioning. Clinical Psychologists also provide clinical consultation and training to allied professionals and public education on mental health issues.

Service Provision:

1) Case Work Service

As at 31 March 2020, there were 59 Clinical Psychologists, 6 Senior Clinical Psychologists and 1 Chief Clinical Psychologist in SWD. Clinical Psychologists and Senior Clinical Psychologists are posted to six Clinical Psychology Units of the Clinical Psychological Service Branch serving the whole territory. 45 Clinical Psychologists receive referrals for psychological assessment and psychotherapy from integrated family service centres, family and child protective services units, probation and community service orders offices and medical social services units. 14 Clinical Psychologists provide service through the Central Psychological Support Services (CPSS): clinical case consultation, psychotherapy, staff and parent training for pre-school centres as well as adult rehabilitation units operated by NGOs

Children and adolescents form the main client group served by clinical psychologists. They are often victims of physical or sexual violence, cases for custody evaluation, or individual presenting behavioral or emotional problems which are psychological in origin. Adults were seen for a variety of reasons ranging from mood disorders, chronic difficulties in interpersonal relationships, adjustment problems, sexual deviations and various forms of offences against the law. Some others might be perpetrators or victims in case of domestic violence.

The Breakdown of Referrals by Age (2019-2020):

2) Service Statistics – Central Psychological Support Service (CPSS)：