Psychological counselling

Counseling is working with a mental health professional to cope with the challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis. Counseling can help you understand your feelings and reactions, and it provides a safe place to talk about your worries.

A counselor cannot always solve your problems. But they can provide a helpful, outside viewpoint and they are trained to help you deal with difficult situations.

When does counseling help people with cancer or their loved ones?

It is normal to feel many different emotions when you have cancer or someone close to you has cancer. You might feel stressed, angry, or sad. When these feelings affect your daily life or when they last a long time, finding a counselor to talk to can help. Counseling can also help when you are dealing with uncertainty or in a period of transition, such as when a person begins or completes cancer treatment.

Even if you would not describe your feelings as severe, counseling can be helpful. Living with a cancer diagnosis or caring for someone with cancer is a challenge for everyone. Even a few counseling sessions can help you feel better.

How does counseling help?

Talking with a counselor can help you:

Learn how to cope with a cancer diagnosis
Feel less overwhelmed and more in control
Manage anxiety and depression
Cope with symptoms and side effects, such as pain and fatigue
Deal with emotional concerns about self-image, body image, and intimacy and sex
Manage fears or worries about the future

A counselor can also help you talk with the people around you. For example, they can help you:

Communicate clearly with your health care team
Talk with family and friends and adjust to changes
Find resources and help you deal with changes to your work, career, and finances
Make important decisions
Consider what comes after you or your loved one finish treatment

What are the different types of counseling?

The type of counseling you choose may depend on your needs, preferences, and finances. Types of counseling include:

Individual counseling. During individual counseling, you meet 1-on-1 with a counselor to talk about events, thoughts, and feelings. The counselor will listen closely, express caring concern, ask questions, and offer feedback.

Couples or family counseling. You and your partner or family meet with the counselor. The counselor listens to each person to learn how certain thoughts and actions may cause problems. You and your partner or family members can learn new ways to support each other and communicate in stressful times.

Group counseling. You meet with a group of people who have similar concerns. For example, you might go to a support group for people who have the same type of cancer as you. A counselor leads and guides the discussion and provides support. Group members can learn from the counselor and each other. It can help you feel less alone.

What kinds of counselors are there?

A licensed counselor is usually a mental health worker who completed training and passed a state test. Here are the main types of licensed counselor.

Psychiatrists. Psychiatrists are medical doctors. They specialize in finding and treating mental health problems. They can provide counseling and they can prescribe medication.

Psychologists. These specialists have a PhD or PsyD doctoral degree. This means they have advanced education and are trained to find and treat mental health problems. They can do counseling and research. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication, because they are not medical doctors with an MD or DO degree.

Licensed clinical social workers. These specialists have a master's degree in social work and advanced training in counseling. They also help with practical concerns, such as managing your health insurance and connecting you with local resources, like support groups.

Oncology social workers. Oncology social workers also have a master's degree. They provide specialized counseling, education, and referrals for people with cancer and their families. Your oncology social worker might also help you talk with your health care team and navigate the health care system. Learn more about how an oncology social worker can help.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners. These specialists are registered nurses who have a master's degree in mental health nursing. They treat mental disorders and provide counseling. Like psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners can prescribe medication.

Licensed counselors. This type of counselor has a master's degree in counseling. They may also be called licensed mental health counselors.

Licensed marriage and family therapists. These specialists have a master's degree and they are trained to help couples and families. They sometimes also provide individual counseling. Learn more about how a marriage and family therapist can help.

Licensed pastoral counselors. These specialists have a master's degree in ministry or divinity. They provide counseling from a religious or spiritual point of view. Learn more about spiritual support during cancer.