Cancer Counseling and Emotional Support for Patients & Families

Cancer Counseling for Patients, Survivors and Loved Ones

A cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship can be overwhelming for you and your loved ones. Cancer counseling can equip you with the skills you need to face the emotional ups and downs.

Purpose of Cancer Counseling

Being diagnosed with cancer can have a significant emotional impact on you and your loved ones. You may not know how to handle the wide range of thoughts and feelings that follow. Cancer or oncology counseling can provide the support you need.

Emotional Impact of Diagnosis

Cancer counseling can help you and your loved ones navigate the physical and psychological changes that can take place before, during and after cancer treatment.

In counseling, you can get help with managing mental health symptoms and stressors such as finances, logistics and stigma.

Benefits During Treatment and Recovery

The benefits of counseling during cancer treatment and recovery include learning new coping strategies, relaxation and stress management techniques, mindfulness practices and stronger communication and relationship building skills.

Support for Patients

Cancer patients often experience a wide range of emotions, such as anxiety and fear, along with significant physical and personal changes.

While some adjust with minimal distress, others face more intense emotional challenges. Emotional support can play a vital role in helping patients cope during this time.

Anxiety and Fear Management

The primary driver of anxiety is fear. If you don’t learn how to cope with fear, you can develop an anxiety disorder, which can range from general anxiety to phobias or even post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

While going through cancer treatment and recovery, you may be faced with situations that cause fear, such as hearing that the cancer has spread, learning about new test results or finding out that treatment isn’t working.

Through cancer counseling, you can develop the strategies and coping skills needed to alleviate some of the stress and fear, allowing you to focus your energy on healing.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic approach that is extremely beneficial for individuals and their families facing a cancer diagnosis.

CBT helps you identify thoughts that lead to fear and anxiety, and replace them with realistic, positive ones that benefit your mental and physical health.

Coping with Changes in Identity and Body

Cancer treatment can produce distressing changes to your body and self image. Some people will experience hair loss, weight changes, scars from surgery or loss of body parts or organs.

However, through cancer counseling, you can learn to cope with these changes and adapt to a new lifestyle and rediscover a healthy self image.

Support for Families and Caregivers

Family and caregivers want to help their loved ones through treatment and recovery, but don’t always know how. This can lead to feelings of helplessness and emotional pain. Cancer counseling can help.

Stress Management

Family members and caregivers can benefit from the stress management techniques that are often taught in oncology counseling.

One strategy includes implementing mindfulness based stress reduction practices such as meditation, yoga or guided imagery.

Another proven strategy for stress management is Psychoeducation, Paced Respiration and Relaxation (PEPRR), which has been shown to reduce distress in caregivers through calming and stress regulation skills.

Communication Assistance

Not all family members and caregivers understand the medical needs of a cancer patient. Yet, the caregiver role is a crucial part of treatment and recovery.

Cancer counseling can help them navigate the process, understand feedback and learn strategies for communicating with doctors about their loved ones’ progress and needs.

Types of Therapy Offered

Counselors working with cancer patients, survivors and loved ones typically use an integrative approach to care.

They will evaluate your needs and create a long term treatment plan that typically includes individual and family counseling and support groups.

Individual

In individual psychotherapy, the cancer counselor will meet with the patient, loved one or caregiver one on one.

They understand the psychological and emotional impact of cancer and work alongside their clients to enhance coping skills, which can improve communication, relationships and promote relaxation and mindfulness in a safe and supportive environment.

Family

Cancer affects everyone involved, including the individual, family and caregivers. Family therapy helps loved ones’ to develop coping strategies for themselves and learn how to help their loved one effectively.

They may utilize cognitive behavioral strategies to reframe thoughts, dialectical behavioral (DBT) strategies to improve emotional regulation and trauma informed practices such as complicated grief therapy or EMDR.

Support Groups

Support groups allow patients and families to meet with peers who are also in cancer treatment or recovery. Some groups are facilitated by licensed professionals who provide education and understanding.

Others are peer run groups or communities offering tips, feedback and an opportunity to learn from one another.

Long Term Survivorship Care

Long term survivorship care helps individuals and their families who have experienced cancer to manage the lasting impact of treatment, promote healthy lifestyles and find the emotional and psychological support that is needed to combat anxiety, fear, identity changes and life adjustments.

Life after Treatment

Many lifestyle changes take place during and after cancer treatment. Counseling can help you navigate diet changes, routines and emotional scars. It is also helpful in managing anxiety and fear about recurrence, finances, pain and more.

Managing Ongoing Stress and Fears

Managing ongoing stress and fears after cancer is crucial. Cancer treatment can be traumatic and leave you with constant worry and increased stress.

This increase in stress can cause unhealthy symptoms, such as sleep, appetite and relationship concerns, all of which can lead to setbacks in recovery.

Cancer counseling can help you regulate your emotions and develop healthy coping skills to manage the day to day worry and stress.

Cancer Counseling FAQs

When Should I Seek Cancer Counseling?

As soon as you receive a cancer diagnosis is the best time to engage in cancer counseling. There will be many emotional ups and downs. The sooner you learn how to cope with them, the better you can transition through the stages of treatment and recovery.

Does Counseling Help with Treatment Related Anxiety?

Yes. Cancer counseling can focus on helping you understand your anxiety and learn coping strategies to prevent the worsening of anxiety symptoms and the potential development of an anxiety disorder.

Can My Family Attend Sessions with Me?

Yes, family can attend your cancer counseling sessions with you. Your therapist may also provide family therapy to help your loved ones to navigate their emotions and learn ways to support you through treatment and recovery.

Is Cancer Counseling Covered by Insurance?

Most insurance companies cover cancer counseling. However, you should check with your insurance carrier to discuss your plan and the specific services available to you.

Start Cancer Counseling Today

If you have a cancer diagnosis, are in recovery, or are a family member of someone with cancer, help is available.

You don’t have to face this alone. Instead, you can get the support you need from licensed professionals and peers to help you throughout your journey.

Contact 800-731-0645 ( Sponsored) to speak with someone today. The people on the helpline can answer your questions and direct you to the help and support you need.