Getting the right treatment at the right time
Having the opportunity to access the right level of psychological support as you embark on your treatment journey means you can be sure that you are taking steps to ensure your emotional safety and your wider happiness, beyond the physical manifestation of your scar.
We understand that scars can cause a sense of permanent identity change within you and that you might need help to adjust to your new outward and inner self-image.
You might already have had the opportunity to process your emotions around your very personal experience and your scars and feel ready for treatment.
Or it might be the case that having the opportunity for some form of counselling or psychological support will help you get the maximum benefits from your treatment by supporting you and promoting inner healing too.
There are times where this means delaying treatment of your physical issue whilst you focus on your psychological health. Or you might be ready for treatment and want to look into putting in place the appropriate form of mental health support alongside your treatment.
Our team is dedicated to working alongside you to prioritise your overall well-being in parallel with your physical treatment. It is an approach we believe is so valuable that we offer the same level of care to all of our patients clinic-wide, regardless of the treatment they are having. We hope that other clinics will take on a similar approach too, as research clearly show us the link between scars and psychological pain.
Each scar has its own story and leaves a unique imprint
At The London Scar Clinic our consultants and resident counsellor understand that each patient’s scar tells its own unique story and has left its unique imprint. We help patients everyday who come to us looking for treatment for scars with a wide range of causes, including but not limited to, accidents, burns, self-injury, acne, and congenital disfigurement.
Scarring may be skin deep but the psychological impact often run much deeper
You might find it reassuring to hear that our patients tell us they feel they are in the best possible hands knowing that we have relationships with counsellors, therapists, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, CBT, psycho-sexual therapists and nutritionists. This means that we can seamlessly link you to the right expert care for your individual needs and treatment plan, and continue to support you throughout your scar journey with us.
If you are experience any of these feelings, emotions or behaviours it is likely that you could benefit from some psychological support:
– Negative feelings about your appearance, identity or body image
– Painful or itchy scars which can cause physical impairment and psychological stress
– Feeling stigmatised and ashamed
– Feeling anxious or depressed
– Socially withdrawing and avoiding certain situations
– Feeling different, which can be isolating and intimidating
– Noticing a reduction in your self-confidence and social activities due to low self-esteem
– Emotional numbing
– Self-injury, either currently or in the past, or a desire to injure yourself in some way as a release
– Post-traumatic stress disorder or psychological trauma linked to your skin or scar(s), which can be a painful reminder and can trigger negative emotions within you
– Difficulties accepting your scar(s) as part of yourself
– Your feelings about your skin or scar(s) are making intimacy difficult and affecting your relationships
– If you are feeling a mis-match between your physical appearance and your identity
– Anger, mood swings
– A desire to hurt yourself or somebody else
– If you are wishing you could end your life or are making plans to do so