Clinical psychologists have training in the application of principles of psychology to health and emotional problems. They are not medical doctors and therefore do not prescribe drugs. In relation to CFS/ME, clinical psychologists use their knowledge to help people cope with their fatigue, and guide them in how to overcome the illness.
Clinical psychologists see patients for a wide range of issues arising from CFS/ME, such as stress related to fatigue, pacing of activities, anxiety or depression, pain, and goal setting. The 2007 NICE guidelines on the treatment of CFS/ME advocate a standard package of up to 15 sessions of CBT. This approach is successful in around 70% of patients with mild to moderate symptoms.