Katie Moran, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner at Doncaster NHS Talking Therapies.

What is your job title and role? 

I work across different GP surgeries, as well as remotely, to assess and treat mild-moderate mental health problems.

The purpose of the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner assessment is to gain a better shared understanding with the patient of what their main mental health problem is and what options are available to help them overcome these problems and achieve the goals they set themselves.  

Our service delivers evidence-based interventions for mild to moderate mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, worry, panic, phobias, obsessive compulsive order, post-traumatic stress disorder and sleep difficulties.  

An assessment could result in working with myself or one of my colleagues. We may recommend workshops or courses that Talking Therapies deliver, and if we feel another service would be most appropriate, we assist patients in getting the right level of care with signposting and referrals.   

Often people are referred to us by their GP or healthcare professionals; patients can now self-refer on our website or by simply calling us.  

What will be your duties and responsibilities over Christmas? 

Christmas is a magical and wholesome time for many, but it is also a time of reminders of those who are no longer with us. It is a time of reflection, reminiscing on memories and making new ones.  

We each experience Christmas and holidays differently and whilst one might find it super exciting, another may be worried about how they are going to cope with difficult emotions at this time. My aim is to spread my smile and remind others they are not alone. I want to help others enjoy this time and be there to listen and support should they have any challenges at this time of year. 

I hope to remind people that at Christmas, one of the best gifts you can give is your time – quality time. Be sure to stay connected and in a world where you can be anything, please be kind. A smile and a hello can go a long way over this upcoming festive period and winter months.  

I tend to find that this time of year with the cold weather and dark nights, we all tend to hibernate indoors and don’t socialise as much, be sure to check in on your neighbours and loved ones if they aren’t getting out as much. Your visit could make their day (or week).  

Will there be a special sense of job satisfaction from caring for patients over the festive season?  

Absolutely. Something about Christmas time just feels different at work, it seems more wholesome and like we get a glimpse of each other’s homes, families and traditions for Christmas.  

I must say whenever they mention requesting annual leave around Christmas time, I actually look forward to working this time of year. What we all have in common is that we know it is Christmas Day and New Year approaching, but this means different things to different people. I love to check in with my patients and hear of their traditions, memories and plans over Christmas. I work with quite a few people who spend a lot of time alone and have discovered volunteering and groups that they look forward to spending Christmas with.  

The job I do gives a huge sense of job satisfaction as I aim to leave patients feeling heard, understood and supported as they work on their mental health awareness and coping strategies. I think at Christmas time there’s more magic to the job. 

What can people do to help you in your role? 

Christmas can invite a host of emotions for people and we experience it differently and can feel differently towards it. Over this Christmas time, never underestimate the power of a smile or a hello. I always think, you never know what someone else has going on, you could be stood next to someone in a supermarket queue who is having a really difficult time. A reminder to be kind and no matter what age you are, remember to be a little bit goofy at Christmas and keep the magic alive.  

Is there anyone or a group you would like to wish a Merry Christmas? 

Each and every person deserves to have a beautiful Christmas, however you are planning to celebrate it. A huge Merry Christmas from me and my wonderful team at Doncaster NHS Talking Therapies.  

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