Psychology Services at NHH has developed a rapid-response program for delivering clinical services tailored to the unique needs of the patients and the therapeutic environment of the hospital. Services have been designed to respond to the challenge of patients with acute symptoms who are hospitalized for a very brief length of stay. Psychology services are an integral part of the program of treatment that patients receive at NHH. Psychologists provide treatment interventions, psychological testing, consultations with Attending Psychiatrists and treatment teams, and the development of individualized patient behavior plans.

Seven full time doctoral level clinical psychologists provide psychology services. They are all experienced and skilled in working with patients in an acute treatment psychiatric hospital. As part of the teaching hospital atmosphere of NHH, psychologists also train predoctoral psychology interns. Psychology services staff at NHH also includes neuropsychologists from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.

NHH procedure requires a clinical psychologist to interview all newly admitted patients. This interview has several purposes including a risk assessment of the patient’s suicidal ideation and behavior as well as identifying the patient’s goals for treatment. All psychology services are delivered in the context of a respectful professional and caring therapeutic relationship. Psychologists are skilled in cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and other evidence-based treatment interventions. The psychology interventions also serve as a foundation for the patient’s continuing treatment needs after discharge. Recovery and relapse prevention are the cornerstones of the treatment interventions.

Psychology Services also offers a range of psychological assessments. These may be screenings for particular symptoms or diagnostic clarification, or they may be a extensive battery of objective and projective testing to help understand the patient’s broad psychological functioning. We also offer neuropsychological assessments for children and adults. These serve to identify cognitive difficulties, neurological disorders or injury to the brain. Staff specifically trained with a specialty in this area carries out the neuropsychological assessments.

Psychology services are available on a hospital-wide basis to any patient. A direct referral from the patient’s Attending Psychiatrist initiates our services. All psychology services are supervised by the Chief psychologist and supported by the Chief Medical Officer. Psychology services will continue to evolve to support the therapeutic needs of patients, and the well being of the New Hampshire Hospital community.

Clinical Psychologists at NHH are Dr. Herb Crosby, Dr. Barbara Dawson, Dr. Elizabeth Howell-Woodbury, Dr. Teresa Madaffari, Dr. Giovanni Montenegro, Dr. Kim Pike and Dr. Paul Shagoury (Chief Psychologist).

For more information about psychology services at NHH, including student placements, please contact Dr. Paul Shagoury; e-mail: paul.b.shagoury@dhhs.state.nh.us or telephone: (603) 271-5385.