Emotional Support Unit

A guide to understanding the Emotional Support Unit

There is now very little doubt about the close relationship between physical illness and the psychological impact experienced by those who suffer from it. As scientific evidence in this field has accumulated, an increasing number of specialists and medical centres emphasise the need to treat patients using a holistic approach that addresses both the strictly medical aspects and the emotional sphere. This integrated model aims to provide more comprehensive care and ultimately deliver greater benefit to the patient.

As a result of this reflection, the Grupo Pedro Jaén Emotional Support Unit was initiated by Dr Pedro Jaén and led by Dr Leticia Alonso, a clinical and aesthetic dermatologist with training in psychotherapy and a Master’s degree in Psychotherapy from the University of Alcalá de Henares – European Institute of Psychotherapy, together with Dr Miguel Álvarez de Mon, psychiatrist at Infanta Leonor University Hospital and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Alcalá de Henares, both based in Madrid.

Emotional impact of skin diseases

As noted above, many dermatological conditions have a negative effect on patients’ emotional wellbeing, particularly because they alter physical appearance and are often immediately visible.

Bidirectional relationship between the nervous system and the skin

An increasing body of research has demonstrated a clear bidirectional relationship between the nervous system and the skin, likely related to their shared embryological origin.

This understanding has contributed to the development of psychodermatology, also known as psychocutaneous medicine—a discipline at the intersection of dermatology, psychiatry and psychology. Psychodermatology focuses on patients with skin disorders whose course is associated with emotional components, and examines the influence of stress and anxiety on the evolution of dermatological diseases, as well as the psychiatric comorbidity present in many dermatoses.

In many conditions—far more than those cited here as examples—the psychological factor may arise as a consequence of the disease itself or act as a trigger or catalyst for its development.

“The Emotional Support Unit provides care for patients who suffer because of their skin conditions, as well as for patients whose psychological difficulties negatively affect the health of their skin”

Comprehensive approach to skin diseases

The aim of the Grupo Pedro Jaén Emotional Support Unit is to provide psychological support to patients who are often not prepared to develop effective coping or adaptation strategies for their skin condition within the same clinical setting in which the dermatological disease is being treated, without removing them from the established care pathway. This approach helps to avoid a common problem among these patients: moving from one consultation to another, repeatedly sharing deeply personal and sometimes intimate experiences with professionals who may not be familiar with dermatological conditions.

This objective is fully aligned with the philosophy of Grupo Pedro Jaén, which is based on offering comprehensive care through multidisciplinary teams made up of specialists from different units within the centre.

While curing the disease remains the primary goal, we believe that addressing its broader implications makes a meaningful difference, allowing care to be delivered in a more global, integrative and human manner.

How the Emotional Support Unit works

Patients seen in this unit are generally referred from other units within the group, with which it works closely. Care is structured around two individual consultations.
During the first consultation, Dr Alonso carries out a comprehensive patient assessment, including a detailed history of the dermatological condition, as well as an exploration of wellbeing, quality of life and emotional factors related to the disease in the professional, social and family environment. The aim is to determine the extent to which the skin condition influences or conditions the patient’s daily life and relationships.

Based on this assessment, a detailed report is prepared, including a set of therapeutic recommendations, which also serves as the starting point for the second consultation.

Subsequently, Dr Álvarez de Mon evaluates the presence of anxiety or depressive symptoms, as well as other possible psychological disturbances such as eating behaviour disorders, somatisation, hypochondriacal concerns or loss of self-esteem. He also assesses the patient’s coping capacity and the degree to which the condition has affected their life.

Finally, a diagnostic orientation and a personalised therapeutic proposal are established, which may include psychotherapy and/or pharmacological treatment, always tailored to the specific needs of each patient. In cases where treatment is not considered necessary, the patient is discharged.

In summary, the Grupo Pedro Jaén Emotional Support Unit aims to go one step further in patient care, offering access to the widest possible range of evidence-based resources to treat the disease and, at the same time, promote the best possible quality of life.

More information

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