Therapy for Cancer
Cancer is a lot like an earthquake. You usually don’t expect it. It happens suddenly, and it can change your entire world. When the earthquake is actively happening, you're just trying to survive, moment-by-moment. Similar to cancer, it’s hard to stop and think about what’s happening to you when you’re in the midst of treatment. Your focus is on survival. Each and every day, you just try and survive.
After the earthquake, you often emerge a little dazed and confused, feeling like “Did that really just happen?” Once you’re no longer in survival mode, a myriad of emotions will likely present, spanning from gratitude, to anger, and everything else in between.
How do you cope emotionally after a cancer diagnosis?
To quote Victor Frankel, ““Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." In my experience, there is no one size fits all to coping with cancer. Some people focus on finding meaning and purpose, whereas others might lean into dark humor. However, many of my clients report the following ways to cope with cancer.
Strategies to cope with cancer:
Focus on the things that you can control
Identify what’s important to you and connect with it every day
Talk with friends, family, and sometimes a trained professional like me
Take things day-by-day
Break things into small chunks
Exercise
Name your fears outloud
Connect with sources of meaning
In my experience, cancer survivors who are able to connect with their values and make meaning out of their suffering have the best emotional outcomes. To quote Friedrich Nietzche, "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how." By identifying your “whys,” it can help us pull through during times of great hardship.
What type of therapist helps with cancer anxiety?
The most helpful therapist is someone who has training in the treatment of anxiety AND someone who understands the complexities of cancer treatment. Some therapists claim they have experience working with cancer, and have actually only worked with 1 cancer survivor.
What makes you qualified to do this?
I spent over seven years working in a comprehensive cancer center. While there, I worked in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of cancer treatment.
I’ve sat at the bedside of clients who are undergoing medical procedures:
Bone marrow biopsy
Bone marrow transplant
Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy
Post-surgery
Non-Verbal Head-and-Neck Cancer Patients
I’ve accumulated over 4,500 direct clinical hours working with cancer survivors and their families. During this time, I have provided support to clients with almost every cancer diagnosis. However, I spent the most time working the following cancer types:
Leukemia
Breast Cancer
Multiple Myeloma
Lymphoma
Melanoma
Lung Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Endometrial Cancer
Bladder Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Head-and Neck Cancer Patients
With over a decade of clinical experience and over half of my working career devoted to cancer survivors, I’m a well-seasoned provider who is licensed to practice therapy in the state of North Carolina.
Should cancer survivors see a therapist?
No- not everyone should see a therapist, but most people benefit from talking to one. You may have the most wonderful family and friends, but you may find it difficult to discuss some of your fears and worries about your diagnosis (e.g., am I going to survive this diagnosis?). Having a neutral person can give you the space to discuss some of the more challenging aspects of your treatment, your present fears, and fears for the future.
What is Evidence Based Cancer Support Therapy?
There are several Evidence Based Treatments for Cancer Survivors which include the following:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Meaning Center Psychotherapy
Supportive Counseling
During the course of my career, I’ve attended workshops and undergone training with both the founder of Meaning Center Psychotherapy (William Breitbart) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Steven Hayes). I often incorporate ACT and MCP into my work.
Is anxiety normal after cancer treatment?
Yes! Remember, how I mentioned that cancer is like an earthquake. After you survive the earthquake, you have the ability to stop and think about what you’ve been through (i.e, the treatment). Many clients feel more anxious after treatment, because they realize how challenging treatment can be, and they realize how much they stand to lose with a recurrence. Fear-of-cancer recurrence is normal and may always be a part of your survivorship. We just don’t want it to impact your overall day-to-day life.
Should caregivers go see a cancer therapist?
It can be beneficial for caregivers to work with a therapist who understands the challenges of caring for a family member during treatment. Caregiver burnout is a real thing. These are signs that you may be feeling burned out:
Feeling constantly overwhelmed or on edge
Irritability, anger, or resentment (often followed by guilt)
Feeling emotionally numb or detached
Anxiety that won’t shut off
Sadness, hopelessness, or frequent crying
Feeling alone or unsupported, even when others are around
Chronic fatigue, even after sleeping
Headaches, muscle tension, or body aches
Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
Getting sick more often
Changes in appetite or weight
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Forgetfulness or brain fog
Constant worrying or worst-case thinking
Feeling like your mind never gets a break
Feeling more like a nurse than a partner, child, or friend
Loss of your own identity outside caregiving
Feeling pressure to be “strong” all the time
Guilt when resting or doing something for yourself
Working with a seasoned therapist can help you get real life strategies that can result in symptom relief.
Online Therapy for Cancer Support
The decision to go to therapy in the midst of cancer can be challenging. We don’t want it to feel like just another appointment. You already have so many. At this point, you’ve tried everything. You’ve tried being “more positive” or leaning more into your faith, but you know you need more support. You’re not looking for a generalist who has “seen a few clients with medical issues.” You are looking for a specialist who understand the realities of cancer, the medical system, and the invisible ongoing struggle you endure on a daily basis. You need a therapist with real life experience who can help you through this difficult time. That’s where I come in. I’m a psychologist who is licensed to practice therapy in the state of North Carolina. I’ve spent over 7-years working in an integrated hospital, specializing in psycho-social oncology. I’ve sat at the bedside of patients in the inpatient setting who’ve received a diagnosis or are preparing to transition to hospice care. I’ve worked with clients who are in the outpatient trying to make sense of their diagnosis. I’ve seen it all.
For over a decade, I have specialized in working with cancer survivors. I’ve helped people just like you make the changes they’re hoping for. I focus on creating a space where you feel genuinely seen and understood. I will also incorporate evidence based practice along our journey to help get symptoms relief. You shouldn’t have to spend your limited energy explaining your illness to yet another person who’s supposed to be helping.
Reach out today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward feeling calmer and more like yourself again.