Counselling and Support for Cancer

How can counselling help with a diagnosis of cancer?

 A diagnosis of cancer can evoke the most intense of human emotions. Fear, anger, guilt, regret and isolation can leave you feeling empty and seal the desire to talk to anyone. You may feel that no one can understand what it is like. You make ask yourself fundamental questions such as 'Will I survive' and thoughts such as 'I’m scared'. No one can ever prepare you for such devastating news, and the long journey ahead to recovery can feel exhausting. But there are people that can help.

Cancer counsellors and therapists understand that it is not always easy to talk to friends and family. You do not want to ‘burden’ them with more fears and emotion but it is important that your thoughts, feelings and desires are not lost amongst the fear of cancer. Talking to someone who is trained to help you explore these powerful feelings can help you to find ways to cope with the situation and support you along your journey. Your counsellor can facilitate communication and understanding between you and your loved ones, and explore ways to manage isolation, depression and anxiety along the way. They can provide the safe space in which you can talk honestly and truthfully about how the diagnosis is affecting you at all stages of your journey.

Further still, counselling can help if you are the relative or loved one of someone with cancer. You similarly do not wish to ‘burden’ your loved one with your own fears but you also need the time to talk through your own feelings and how the diagnosis has affected you. By talking through your own concerns and worries with one of our cancer counsellors you will be able to devote more of your emotional self to helping your loved one.

Benefits of counselling and psychotherapy  

• Discover ways to cope with the diagnosis and the day-to-day rollercoaster of emotion
• Explores your relationships and friendship in light of the diagnosis
• Examines your own thoughts, feelings and emotions in privacy and confidentiality
• Managing re-adjustment after treatment finishes
• Intimacy and relationship difficulties
• Loss and bereavement of those around you
• Anxiety for the future.

Cancer counselling service at Harley Therapy™, London

At Harley Therapy London, our team of counsellors and psychotherapists have experience of working with cancer issues, both face to face, over the phone and online (via Skype). They are deeply committed to improving the psychological outlook of their clients, and supporting them through the suffering that cancer can give rise to. Through the confidential space of therapy for cancer patients, they can help you face the many challenges that a diagnosis and possible treatment can bring.

Self-help books on cancer

Here are our three book recommendations for you, which provide self-help tools for dealing with cancer:

• 'The Cancer Survivor’s Companion: Practical Ways to Cope with Your Feelings After Cancer'  by Lucy Atkins & Dr. Frances Goodhart (2013)
• 'The Cancer Survivors Club'  by Chris Geiger (2012)
• 'The Cancer Journey: Positive Steps to Help Yourself Heal'  by Dr. Pam Evans, Polly Noble & Nicholas Hull-Malham (2011)

Further sources of support for cancer

• Cancer Research
• Macmillan Cancer Support

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Issues for Cancer Counselling

• Processing a diagnosis
• Handling treatment and side effects
• The question of terminal illness
• Impact on relationships
• Effects on work
• Readjusting to life after treatment
• Supporting family and children