Medical & Surgical Psychology Consults
Loudoun Psychological Services partners with medical and surgical teams to provide pre-surgical and medical psychology consultations that support readiness, adherence, and patient-centered care.
Collaborating with practices and programs in Loudoun County and the greater Northern Virginia region.
Partnerships across medical and surgical specialties
Many medical and surgical decisions are influenced by psychological factors—motivation, coping, health beliefs, and the realities of daily life. We collaborate with physicians and care teams to better understand those factors in ways that support informed consent, realistic planning, and compassionate, whole-person care.
Medical & Surgical Practices
General surgery, specialty surgery, and multidisciplinary programs seeking behavioral health input that complements their clinical protocols and pathways.
Hospital-Based & Integrated Care Teams
Collaboration with hospital programs, outpatient departments, and integrated care models where behavioral health and medical providers share a focus on patient outcomes.
Bariatric & Metabolic Programs
Pre-surgical psychological evaluations and consults that consider readiness, expectations, eating behavior, and long-term lifestyle changes in the context of metabolic and bariatric care.
Chronic Illness & Specialty Care
Support for pain management, neurology, oncology, and other specialty services where long-term conditions intersect with mood, coping, and adherence.
Medical psychology services that support your clinical work
We focus on the psychological and behavioral aspects of medical care—how patients understand their condition, weigh risks and benefits, and carry forward recommendations into day-to-day life. Our role is to support your clinical judgment, not replace it.
Pre-Surgical Psychological Evaluations
Evaluations that help assess psychological readiness and contextual factors relevant to surgery and post-operative care.
- Understanding expectations, motivation, and informed consent
- Review of coping skills and support systems
- Recommendations to support pre- and post-surgical adjustment
Bariatric & Weight-Related Consults
Psychology consults for metabolic and bariatric medicine that explore eating patterns, body image, health beliefs, and long-term change in a respectful, non-shaming way.
- Assessment of readiness for significant lifestyle changes
- Attention to mood, trauma history, and prior treatment
- Suggestions for behavioral and support resources
Chronic Illness, Adherence, & Coping
Consultation around the psychological aspects of living with chronic medical conditions and following complex treatment plans.
- Exploring barriers to adherence and follow-through
- Supporting realistic, patient-centered goals
- Integrating mental health considerations into care plans
Pain, Functioning, & Quality of Life
Evaluations and consults for patients navigating chronic pain, where mood, activity, and coping strategies can shape outcomes.
- Assessment of pain-related beliefs and mood symptoms
- Attention to daily functioning, sleep, and pacing
- Recommendations that complement pain management strategies
Collaboration with Care Teams
With consent, we share key findings with referring providers and care teams in concise, clinically relevant language.
- Brief, targeted communication for busy clinicians
- Shared understanding of psychosocial factors impacting care
- Respect for role boundaries and scope of practice
Patient Education & Brief Support
Within the consultation framework, we provide education and brief, focused support to help patients understand and navigate the psychological side of their care.
- Normalizing common emotional responses to medical care
- Introducing coping and communication strategies
- Referrals for ongoing mental health care when indicated
Ethical, patient-centered practice
Our clinicians follow professional ethics, applicable privacy laws, and clear role boundaries. We are transparent with patients about what a consultation involves, what information may be shared with their medical team, and how recommendations will be used. Our goal is to support informed, collaborative care—not to pressure patients into particular decisions.
A clear process for referring providers and patients
We aim to make medical and surgical psychology consults predictable, respectful, and integrated with your existing workflows. Referrers and patients know what to expect at each step.
Partnership & referral planning
We meet with program leadership and coordinators to clarify indications for referral, documentation needs, and communication pathways with your team.
Referral & patient scheduling
Referrals are submitted using an agreed-upon process. Our staff contact patients directly, explain the purpose of the consult, and schedule appointments that fit their needs when possible.
Consultation & assessment
We conduct interviews and, when appropriate, use standardized measures to better understand the psychological and behavioral context of the medical or surgical care being considered.
Feedback & collaboration
We provide feedback to the patient and, with consent, communicate key findings and recommendations to the referring provider and care team in a concise, clinically useful manner.
What medical partners often notice
Outcomes vary, and no intervention is guaranteed—but many medical teams share that psychological consultation offers helpful perspective on complex cases and shared decision-making.
Richer understanding of patient context
Teams gain insight into how mood, stress, history, and daily life may be interacting with medical recommendations and outcomes.
More tailored recommendations
Psychological input can help refine pre-surgical preparation, follow-up plans, and support options so they are realistic for each patient’s circumstances.
Stronger patient engagement
When patients feel understood and supported, they may be more engaged in their care plans and more comfortable discussing barriers before they become crises.
Frequently asked questions
We welcome questions from medical and surgical teams as you consider how psychology consults might fit into your work. Here are responses to a few common questions.
Let’s explore partnership for your clinic or program
We’re glad to speak with physicians, advanced practice providers, program coordinators, and leadership about how medical psychology consults might fit into your care pathways.
- Discuss your patient population and referral patterns
- Clarify indications for consultation and typical questions
- Outline communication preferences and documentation needs
This form is for professional partnership inquiries only and is not monitored for urgent or emergency clinical issues. If a patient is in crisis, please follow your usual clinical and emergency protocols.