DisabilityPlus gives every person the opportunity to be supported by a Counsellor who has Lost a Limb, this enables full cultural support.
Our Loss of Limb Counselling Service supports people with their mental health, whether pre-existing issues have become worse or a new condition that stems from an amputation. Our specialist therapists understand the problems the amputation can have on a person’s mental & emotional health.
Supporting someone with an amputation is not as straightforward as supporting a generalised person with depression & anxieties. Many therapists do not have the experience; they may have never met an amputee and understand how you feel.
The therapist who supports you will understand how losing a body part creates change within your life. Whether the amputation is due to a severe illness or a sudden traumatic injury, the emotional effects of limb loss are significant. Physical and mental recovery can be complicated and take a long time.
The circumstances around your amputation can affect how you feel emotionally. If the amputation is because of a known health condition, you will have time to plan for the change. You may be able to prepare emotionally for the recovery process. For people who have been in pain or discomfort before amputation, there may be a sense of relief once the operation is complete.
Besides dealing with anxiety and depression, people who lose a limb in a traumatic injury may show signs of PTSD. This could include panic attacks and flashbacks during the day, or nightmares that affect the quality and quantity of their sleep
Our loss of limb counselling service has therapists who have years of experience counselling people pre & post-amputation, we know thoughts & reactions following or pre the acquired amputation are unique to each person. Mental health issues can range from mild to severe; however, problems can include body dysmorphia, chronic fatigue, cognitive disorders, emotional regulation, depression & anxiety. In extreme cases, losing a limb can cause more severe personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, self-harm & addictions.
Mental health issues can range from mild to severe; however, problems can include body dysmorphia, chronic fatigue, cognitive disorders, emotional regulation, depression & anxiety. In extreme cases, losing a limb can cause more severe personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, self-harm & addictions.
Our Loss of Limb Counselling Service has therapists who have years of experience counselling people pre & post-amputation, we know thoughts & reactions following or pre the acquired amputation are unique to each person.
Loss of limb counselling is not restricted to a single method of therapy. Each person can bring different presenting issues; one solution does not fit all. As a specialist service, we can support you no matter the problems.
Our therapy can help you set goals to work towards, particularly during rehabilitation. We know that goals & aspirations should be meaningful to your life and attainable and realistic. Our therapists will help develop such plans by setting achievable targets at each counselling stage. Goals often provide a sense of purpose structure (daily routine) and improve confidence and self-esteem.
Contact us to find out more about our Specialist Loss of Limb Counselling Service
Our Loss of Limb Counselling Team is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) (UKCP). We are bound by the ethical framework for good practice in counselling. We comply with the Data Protection Act
The most common are lower-limb surgical amputations for elderly people with blood circulation problems.
Meanwhile, the majority of upper-limb amputation cases are the result of catastrophic injuries. In some cases, traumatic amputations – either partial or complete – can be reattached to the body. However, they are also known to cause a variety of complications in people, most notably circulatory shock and excessive bleeding, both of which can be fatal if not treated adequately.
Surgical amputations are performed as a last resort, primarily to save the patient’s life. If a limb can be reattached without it becoming a danger to the patient, the surgeon will do so.
There are four main causes by which a traumatic amputation can be classified:
Chemical – this is an amputation after a person comes into contact with corrosive chemicals
Electrical – an amputation after receiving a high voltage electric shock
Mechanical – this is an amputation caused by machinery
Thermal – an amputation after experiencing extreme levels of heat
The majority of traumatic amputations are mechanical, and are the result of injuries within the workplace. Other common causes include road traffic accidents, war and combat. When such traumatic injuries occur, surgery is required to treat the individual to save his or her life, and hopefully save their extremity. If the injury is not treated quickly and properly, there may be further complications through infection.
Unfortunately there are occasions when a traumatically injured limb cannot be saved, and most likely this is due to severe blood vessel damage and tissue death. In such circumstances, surgical amputation must occur.
Secondary services such as loss of limb counselling should be recommended.
Before an amputation takes place, the medical team completes a full evaluation of the patient and in particular, the injured limb. Locating the exact site of the amputation is crucial because no damaged tissue should remain in the limb, whilst blood circulation must be able to continue after the procedure is completed.
Once the correct area of the limb has been incised, enough skin is left attached to cover the amputee’s stump. The surgeon will have in mind whether the amputee will require a prosthetic limb at a later date, so during the process will sculpt and mould muscle groups in order to fit prosthetics later on.
A surgeon will remove only as much of the injured limb as necessary, and will aim to preserve as much of the remaining ‘stump’ as possible. This is so that the amputee will retain the maximum amount of function in their limb.
Through a process called ‘microsurgery’, the surgeon protects the nerves so that they end before the stump. This is to minimise (or hopefully prevent) both stump and phantom limb pain. Through the same microscopic process, blood vessels are clamped to prevent blood-loss, and once the limb is removed, the vessels are stitched closed again.
Traumatic amputations are very rarely straight, clean and guillotine-like. For example, explosions can lodge shrapnel into the body and trauma causes bones to be crushed and bent out of shape. Therefore, via a process that is also known as ‘debridement’, a surgeon will remove any unwanted detritus, tissue and bone from the site of amputation.
The surgeon preserves as much of the amputee’s healthy skin, nerves and blood vessels as possible, whilst in the process removing any unwanted, damaged or infected elements. At this point, the amputation is nearing its completion and the surgeon has two options:
The first is to seal the wound with the limb skin i.e. a ‘closed amputation’. This method is chosen when there is high confidence that the injury is unlikely to become infected.
The second option is called an ‘open flap amputation’, where the surgeon leaves the limb’s flap of skin unsealed and the wound open. This can give the medical team a further few days to clean up the wound and remove any infected tissue. After any infection has been totally cleaned and flushed out, the skin is sealed and the stump is dressed.
Finally, the patient can begin recuperation and face up to their life as an amputee.
In relatively straightforward amputation cases, the hospital recovery period will last for approximately two weeks. Of course, the length of time can vary, and depends on many factors such as how seriously injured the patient is, or the level of success of the operation.
Whilst the amputee is in hospital, there are regular checks undertaken by the medical team to monitor how well the amputation wound is coping with healing, and will supply any necessary painkilling medication and antibiotics should they be required.
The team will be on the lookout for any potential post-amputation complications that could further damage the stump. Such issues include:
Skin flap necrosis (cell death)
Heavy bruising
Opening of the wounds
Infection
Muscle contracture and joint deformities
After enough time has elapsed, the medical team will recommend that rehabilitation begins. This is a multi-disciplinary process involving a wide-range of medical care and assistance, and in the acute phase can begin in hospital before continuing once the patient has been discharged.
Aftercare would normally include loss of limb counselling.
Although they are not for everyone, many amputees will go on to use a prosthetic limb. Those that do will begin their preparation for life using this aid whilst still in hospital.
Private therapy can allow you to start sessions quickly, you can also start privately & we can make an NHS application for you to maintain your care with the same therapist.
For DisabilityPlus to make an NHS application for you based on your condition, we must satisfy specific criteria before making the NHS Application.
The application for you must include one of the below disabilities or life-changing conditions.
Self-Paid Services are available if you do not qualify for an NHS application with DisabilityPlus.
Standard counselling services generally help couples without additional issues such as physical, sensory & injuries.
Using a specialist service means there will be no lost time trying to explain to the therapist the problems you and your partner have with coping with the specific situation.
We are proud to offer this specialist service.
In its most basic sense, LENS is training in self-regulation, a necessary part of optimal brain performance and function, allowing the nervous system to function more adaptively.
This result in greater relaxation, a sense of ease and improved emotional resilience. LENS neurofeedback is not diagnosis-specific. It is not a treatment for any specific condition. It is a generalised process that optimises brain function.
Our Traumatic Brain Injury Counselling Service supports people with their mental health, whether pre-existing issues have worsened or a new condition stemming from an accident or injury.
Our specialist therapists understand the problems a brain injury can have on a person’s mental & emotional health.
Counselling for Concussions can help you avoid potential mental health issues such as panic attacks, depression, anxieties, substance abuse &, in extreme cases, self-harm & suicidal thoughts.
Your counsellor is trained to support people with mild to moderate brain injuries.
The counsellor who supports you has expert knowledge & lived experiences of Autism.
Our treatment plans focus on how the varying degrees of Autism has affected your mental and emotional health.
You will be supported by a counsellor who has Epilepsy.
Specialist Epilepsy Counselling provides an essential place after taking the step to decide you want to speak with a counsellor; you must find someone that ‘fits’ you and your personality for the best possible outcome.
A counsellor with Dyslexia will support you with expert counselling.
Dyslexia & Auditory Processing may not be a mental illness, but its results can trigger mental illness.
You will be supported by a counsellor who has spinal cord injuries.
Our Spinal Cord Injury Counselling Service supports you with your mental health, whether pre-existing issues have worsened or a new condition stemming from the spinal cord injury.
Your therapist has an amputation or is a specialist which creates cultural understanding from the first session.
Using a specialist service who understand the problems of losing a limb first-hand could be the first step to your mental & emotional health recovery.
You will be supported by a counsellor who has OI or you can choose a counsellor with a similar disability.
Specialist Counselling can help you regain wellbeing and balance in your life.
You will be supported by a counsellor who has Multiple Sclerosis or you can choose a counsellor with a similar disability.
MS Counselling gives you time and space to work through your problems. Therapy helps you gain a different perspective on problems and issues.
Therapy provides a safe, non-judgemental and respectful environment. Counselling can help you regain well-being and balance in your life.
You will be supported by a counsellor who has Cerebral Palsy or you can choose a counsellor with a similar disability.
Counselling gives you time and space to work through your problems.
Therapy helps you gain a different perspective on problems and issues.
You will be supported by a counsellor who is disabled with a similar disability.
Professional therapists who understand the complexity of muscular dystrophy.
Our treatment plans focus on how the varying degrees of Muscular Dystrophy has affected your mental and emotional health.
You will be supported by a counsellor who has years of experience supporting people with Chronic Arthritis or you can choose a counsellor with a similar disability.
You will be supported by a counsellor who lives with chronic pain.
Chronic Pain Counselling & Psychotherapy delivers quality therapy for people who have issues caused by severe pain.
Your therapist will have hearing loss with the lived experience of discrimination and frustration.
Therapy for people with differing levels of Hearing Loss, including Suddenly Acquired Deafness through a Medical Issue, age or Accident.
For Profoundly Deaf BSL Service click below
Your counsellor will be profoundly deaf, which creates cultural understanding from the first session.
Our deaf mental health counselling service addresses the core need for cultural understanding with a counsellor that understands the feelings of discrimination & lack of knowledge.
This service is for BSL & Oral Profoundly Deaf People
You will be supported by a counsellor who has a cochlear implant
Our team use Spoken Word (oral), Lip Reading & Visual Gestures.
We offer a live subtitle service if video sessions are selected.
For DisabilityPlus to make an NHS application for you based on your condition, we must satisfy specific criteria before making the NHS Application.
The application for you must include one of the below disabilities or life-changing conditions.
Self-Paid Services are available if you do not qualify for an NHS application with DisabilityPlus.
SIGNHEALTH the Deaf charity is now delivering all NHS BSL Counselling Sessions.
If you would still like to use our service there are Self-Pay options.
Click the NHS Application button below to be directed to the Self-Referral form of SIGNHEALTH
Your counsellor who will support you has Vestibular Disorders and therefore can help you with expert knowledge and lived experiences.
Our team can help with qualified specialist mental health therapists who specialise in supporting people who have Vestibular Issues.
Your counsellor who will support you has Tinnitus and therefore can help you with expert knowledge and lived experiences.
Our team can help with qualified specialist mental health therapists who specialise in supporting people who have Tinnitus and Balance Issues.
The Personal Injury Team is hand-selected based on their expertise in supporting people post-injury.
We support you with emotional & mental health support following a significant personal injury.
The counsellor who supports you has been through the retirement and bereavement from previous assistance dogs. We can offer you a safe, empathic and authentic service where your emotions can be fully explored and accepted
Our assistance dog counselling service can help you get the support you deserve. Your counsellor will have an assistance dog and has lived through the feelings and emotions of loss and grief.
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You will be supported by a counsellor who is CODA.
Our CODA Counselling Service (children or now adults) supports you with your mental & emotional health.
Our specialist therapists understand the problems a cross-culture can have on your mental & emotional health.
You will be supported by a counsellor who understands the complexity of living with body dysmorphia.
Our therapists specialise in mental & emotional health-supporting your negative body image & perceptions.
You will be supported by a counsellor who has Chronic Fatigue . Our specialist therapists can help you come to terms with living with CFS/ME & work through the mental health issues it creates.
Our therapy service can increase your daily living standards
You will be supported by a counsellor who has Fibromyalgia.
We offer psychological support with one of our specialist qualified counsellors who support people who are affected by FMS symptoms.
Our Specialist Therapy helps you move towards positive emotional responses. The key to our service is to achieve better mood control & health wellbeing.
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Each Disability or Injury is matched with a counsellor who understands your unique situation.
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NHS Free funding is available in most areas of the UK.