Cancer patient counseling is a crucial, integrated part of holistic cancer care, designed to help patients and their families navigate the significant emotional, psychological, and social challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis and treatment. It provides a safe, confidential space to express
feelings and develop effective coping strategies.
Importance of Counselling
Manages Emotional Distress: A cancer diagnosis often leads to intense feelings of fear, anxiety, depression, anger, sadness, and a loss of control.
Counseling helps patients process these normal reactions and prevents them from escalating into clinical depression or chronic anxiety that
could hinder recovery.
Improves Coping Skills: Counselors assist patients and their caregivers in discovering effective strategies for managing daily life,
treatment side effects (e.g., fatigue, pain, nausea, hair loss), and lifestyle changes.
Enhances Communication: It helps patients and families communicate more openly and effectively with each other and with their healthcare
team, which is vital for shared decision-making regarding treatment options and end-of-life care.
Builds Resilience: Counseling aims to empower patients with mindfulness and positivity, helping them transform negative thought patterns into positive ones and build the mental strength needed for the journey ahead.
Addresses Personal Issues: It provides a non-judgmental environment to discuss deeply personal issues such as body image changes, sexuality,
relationship strains, and financial worries related to the disease.
Supports Caregivers: Family members and caregivers also face emotional burdens and burnout. Counseling helps them address their own
feelings and learn how to provide the best support without neglecting their own well-being.
Types of Counselling and Support
Individual Counselling: One-on-one sessions with a trained counselor, psychologist, or psycho-oncologist to discuss
personal thoughts and feelings.
Family Counselling: Involves the patient and their loved ones to improve understanding, communication, and support within the family unit.
Group Counselling/Support Groups: Patients meet with others facing similar challenges. Sharing experiences can reduce feelings of isolation,
provide hope, and offer practical tips for symptom management.
Specific Therapies: Techniques like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) help patients identify and change negative thought patterns
and behaviors to manage anxiety and depression. Other methods include relaxation techniques, art/music therapy, and grief counseling.
Psycho-oncology: A specialized field that addresses the psychological, social, and functional aspects of cancer comprehensively, often
integrated within hospital oncology departments.
When to Seek Counselling
It is beneficial to seek professional help at any point in the cancer journey, from initial diagnosis through treatment, survivorship,
or grief. Signs that a patient or caregiver may need counseling include persistent sadness, overwhelming fear or anxiety, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, loss of
interest in activities, or feeling a complete loss of control.
Call us now to connect with our Patient Counselling Team
