Clinical Psychological Services

OBJECTIVES

6.1

The Clinical Psychologists of SWD diagnose and treat clients presenting psychological or psychiatric problems to ameliorate their symptoms and restore their functioning. The Clinical Psychologists also provide clinical consultation and training to allied professionals and public education on mental health.

SERVICE PROVISION

6.2

As at 31 March 2013, there were 58 Clinical Psychologists in SWD. They are stationed in five Clinical Psychology Units serving the whole territory. They receive referrals mainly from the Integrated Family Service Centres and the Family and Child Protective Services Units. Referrals are also received from the Probation Offices and the Medical Social Services Units. Through the Central Psychological Support Services, Clinical Psychologists also provide clinical case consultation, staff and parent trainings for pre-school centres as well as adult rehabilitation units operated by non-governmental organisations.

6.3

Children and adolescents formed the main client group served by the Clinical Psychologists. They were often victims of physical or sexual violence, cases for custody evaluation, or individuals presenting behavioural or emotional problems which were 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 cases of domestic violence. The breakdowns of referrals by age for 2011-12 and 2012-13 are shown in Charts 9 and 10 below:

6.4

In 2011-12, the Clinical Psychologists conducted 2 595 psychological or intellectual assessments and 21 010 treatment sessions, serving a total of 2 617 new cases. For 2012-13, 2 497 assessments and 21 140 treatment sessions were conducted, serving a total of 1 854 new cases.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PERIOD

CENTRAL PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT SERVICES

6.5

The following tables show the service figures for the Central Psychological Support Services (CPSS) for rehabilitation units in 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively:

CPSS (Adult) Summary Statistics	2011-12	2012-13
No. of Centres Served	84	147
No. of Cases Served	551	581
No. of Clinical Visits	753	682
No. of Clinical Consultation	1 528	1 330
No. of Service Consultation	65	25
No. of Training (for Workers)	33	29
No. of Parent Education Sessions	4	9

CPSS (Pre-school) Summary Statistics	2011-12	2012-13
No. of Centres Served	227	227
No. of Cases Served (New Cases)	368	337
No. of Clinical Visits	1 231	1 076
No. of Clinical Consultation	764	688
No. of Service Consultation	116	168
No. of Training (for Workers)	91	68
No. of Parent Education Sessions	294	266

 

6.6

Through the CPSS, Clinical Psychologists provide consultation and training to staff of rehabilitation units. Parent groups and parent training sessions are also offered to help parents better manage problems presented by their children with disabilities.

CRISIS INTERVENTION

6.7

Apart from rendering direct clinical services, the Clinical Psychologists of SWD are also the largest group of mental health professionals involved in providing psychological support to the survivors, their families, and even community at large after natural or man-made disasters, for example, the National Day maritime accident in 2012.

SPECIALISATION

6.8

To achieve specialisation, the Train-the-Specialist/Mentor scheme launched in 2010 was continued with the aim of developing trainers in treatment or assessment. Working groups were also set up to continue to develop treatment packages tailor-made to the unique clientele of the SWD.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

6.9

In spite of heavy involvement in direct services, the Clinical Psychologists of SWD have been very active in preventive work through giving talks or conducting training on the subject of mental health.

6.10

In 2011-13, through Operation Silver Lining, many Clinical Psychologists answered media questions on mental health issues. They also published various books and pamphlets for public education on mental health.

6.11

The following table shows the relevant statistics on public education:

Public Education Summary Statistics	2011-12	2012-13
No. of publications (books, pamphlets)	3	6
No. of talks/training (for the general public as well as for allied professionals)	87	96
Media enquiries (Operation Silver Lining)	10	12

STAFF CARE AND SUPPORT

6.12

The Clinical Psychologists provide various stress management training and psychological treatment when necessary to fellow staff of SWD to help them better cope with increasing workload and work stress.