The Psychology Service includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Family Intervention and models of care that promote recovery and community living, such as early intervention and assertive outreach.  Approaches such as CBT and family intervention demonstrate benefits to clients and families in terms of symptom relief, reductions in relapse rates and improvements in social functioning.  Psycho-social interventions are supported by a robust evidence base and are specifically recommended in the NICE guidelines for schizophrenia.

The service aims to disseminate good practice through training, clinical supervision, clinical work, local research projects and input to service development forums.  It operates at two broad levels:  through direct contact with service users / carers and, indirectly, through training and supervision of mental health staff.

The Psychosocial Intervention Service carries a caseload of individuals and families from Gwynedd and Anglesey and is involved in running therapeutic groups in the Hergest Unit, Ysbyty Gwynedd. 

We regularly organise in-service training for mental health staff and have input to University accredited courses, for example, pre-registration nurse training, diploma and degree level training and clinical psychology training.  The service also provides clinical supervision to community and inpatient staff across the Directorate.