Psychological support for people with facial palsy — guidance for health professionals

Download: Recommendations for supporting the psychological well-being of children and adults with facial palsy (PDF)

This page provides a summary of clinical guidance on the psychological wellbeing (emotional, social and psychological wellbeing) of people with facial palsy — for both specialist and non-specialist settings. The guidance was produced in March 2021 by an international group including Clinical Psychologists, a Psychological Therapist, a Counselling Psychologist, a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, researchers, and the Deputy CEO of Facial Palsy UK. All work with people with facial palsy and some have the condition themselves. Although written primarily for clinicians in the UK, it draws on international evidence and is relevant to a wider audience.

The authors have drawn from evidence-based approaches for the support of people with facial palsy and similar conditions to present recommendations for how mental health professionals can best work alongside physical health practitioners (e.g. surgeons, neurologists, facial therapists) to assess and meet the psychological needs of people with facial palsy.

This guidance starts with an introduction to what is known about the psychological impact of facial palsy, along with recommendations for the support of adults with the condition. There is then a discussion of additional considerations for working with children, adolescents and their families. The document ends with an outline of the various ways in which psychologists/psychological therapists can support their multidisciplinary team (MDT) colleagues to understand the psychosocial impact of the condition.

Psychological support for people with FP should optimally be carried out by a professional who has specialist knowledge of the psychological impact of physical health conditions, preferably working within a multidisciplinary facial palsy service. However, access to such services is variable in the United Kingdom (UK) and it is hoped that the information contained in this document will also be helpful for those mental health professionals working within general physical and mental health services who do not have experience of working with people with facial palsy.

The authors welcome feedback and comments on this document and encourage interested parties to be in touch to collaborate, ahead of any future revisions of this guidance. You will find a survey link at the end of the pdf document. Click the link below to read the document.

New research project evaluating the degree of psychological distress in patients with facial palsy

Facial Palsy UK is currently undertaking an 18-month project to better understand and address the psychological needs of people with facial palsy, funded by the VTCT Foundation. The project is in association with Dr Matthew Hotton of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, who has developed psychological management tools for patients. The project outcomes will be evaluated in collaboration with the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England.

Further details will be shared here as the work progresses.

If you are interested in collaborating or finding out more, please get in touch at support@facialpalsy.org.uk.