Cancer Counselling
Cancer Counselling
Are you or a family member or friend facing a new diagnosis of cancer, undergoing treatment, living as a survivor, dealing with a recurrence, or contemplating palliative or hospice care?
A cancer diagnosis can turn your world upside down — emotionally, physically and financially. It’s common to experience feelings of shock, disbelief, fear, guilt, sadness, anger, depression and anxiety about how your life and the lives of your family members will change.
Spouses, children and friends may also have trouble adjusting as they cope with the increased demands of new roles and responsibilities, while trying to manage their own emotions.
Specialist help with the complex emotional journey of cancer diagnosis and treatment
Dr Carly Fay is a Clinical Psychologist and has undertaken specialised training in psycho-oncology. She provides expert counselling for people who have been diagnosed with cancer, as well as family members, friends and caregivers who are affected by cancer. Read more about Dr Fay’s approach here.
Why seek specialist Cancer Counselling from a Psychologist?
While the support of family and friends is important, it is often useful to talk to a professional outside your personal circle – someone who doesn’t want or expect you to react in a certain way, has experience working with cancer patients and their families and who is trained to help you explore your feelings and emotions and find ways of coping.
How can Cancer Counselling help?
Counselling can help you to deal with:
• Adjusting to a diagnosis
• Coping with treatment and side-effects
• Adjusting to life with cancer
• Adjusting to life after treatment and finding a new normal
• Stress, anxiety and depression
• Loss and change
• The impact on family, including children and young people
• Relationship issues
• Body image and sexuality issues
• Managing concerns and uncertainty about the future, including fear of recurrence
• Living with terminal or life-limiting illness
• Palliative care, end of life issues and bereavement support and counselling
The help that people need varies greatly from person to person, and family to family. As such, Carly tailors her approach to your specific circumstances. Therapeutic methods may include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness therapy, compassion focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and existential therapy.
When to seek Cancer Counselling?
Cancer counselling should be considered if you are experiencing high levels of ongoing distress and feel that you may not be coping.
Counselling can help at any stage of the cancer journey from initial diagnosis, dealing with the impacts of treatment or transitioning out of active treatment, living with cancer, remission and grief and bereavement. Family members, friends and caregivers can also benefit greatly.
