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As a cancer survivor, I have found my experience with counseling to be immensely beneficial. In fact, it’s what prompted me to focus my own counseling practice on cancer treatment and survivorship. I feel very strongly that counseling for cancer patients should be as much a part of one’s treatment plan as the regimen prescribed by the oncology team. So today I’m starting a blog series discussing all of the different ways that therapy for cancer patients can be helpful for patients throughout the entire journey.
Why Therapy for Cancer Patients is Helpful
In general, whether you’ve just been diagnosed, are in the middle of treatment, or are in survivorship, talk therapy is a very helpful tool. This is because it allows you to talk through your feelings outside of your friends, family, and support system.
Sometimes there are aspects of living with cancer that you just don’t want to share with that support system. Because your family and friends are so committed to your health and your well-being, it can be very difficult to admit to them how you’re really feeling.
You could be experiencing things like:
Discomfort and fear
Denial and avoidance
Loss of control over your life
Fear of disease progression
Loneliness
And so therapy is your place to discuss all of the yucky things that you just can’t share with anyone else.
For example for me, this meant sharing with my therapist that I never wanted to go through radiation treatment ever again. The experience was so hard on my body, that when I finished, I felt that I could never agree to it ever again, even if my oncologist deemed it necessary.
But of course that would be too difficult of a topic for my family and friends to hear because that would mean that I could possibly die. But it was still a feeling I was wrestling with and needed to process. I was thankful to have my therapist to talk it through with me.
Therapy During Your Diagnosis & Initial Treatment
When you are first diagnosed with cancer and preparing for treatment, there is a lot of information thrown at you at once. I like to call this the warrior phase, because in a matter of weeks (or sometimes just days), you’re processing the shock of being diagnosed, and you’re getting hit with a lot of medical information right away. You’re learning about tests, scheduling bloodwork appointments and scans, and gearing up for possible surgery, chemo, and/or radiation.
It can be really beneficial to your well-being to have a counselor during this time (and beyond), to help you process some of those experiences and emotions.
Preparing Your Life for Treatment
Another thing that can be helpful to talk through with a therapist when you’re dealing with a new cancer diagnosis, is the feeling of overwhelm that you may experience when preparing your life for treatment. Having cancer can often feel like a full-time job on top of your existing job or family responsibilities.
There is so much to consider as you’re getting ready to devote your time to treatment and preparing for the physical toll that it will take on your body. It can all feel really overwhelming. I remember worrying about who would walk my dog – there are so many little things to plan for and they can often catch you off guard.
Cancer Counseling in Pennsylvania
If you are dealing with a new cancer diagnosis, going through treatment, or even in survivorship, counseling can be a beneficial tool to help you navigate your experience. I encourage you to reach out if you’re curious, and I offer complimentary consultations for anyone looking to discover if therapy is for them. I would love to hear from you.
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