Psycho-Oncology: Life After Cancer

There is a sense that when the survivor defeats the illness, all goes back to normal. This is far from the truth. Cancer can affect how we see ourselves and the world around us. It would be strange to go through such an existential experience and go simply return to our regularly scheduled programming. We are human, and we aren't wired that way.

The United States currently has more than 18 million cancer survivors. Many carry severe emotional after effects. Studies show that cancer related post-traumatic stress symptoms can affect anywhere from one in five to one in three survivors, depending on the study and how symptoms are measured. Certain groups can be affected more significantly than others, including patients who have experienced multiple recurrences, younger adults, late-stage survivors, and individuals who lack emotional support and understanding from others. Others can be affected too, including family members struggling with secondary traumatic stress.

Psycho-oncology and specialized therapy provide a safe environment for people to process their medical trauma and regain a sense of control over their lives. As a therapist who is no stranger to this experience, I practice Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques to help clients create distance between their internalized thoughts and their lived experiences.

If you would like to learn more about how I work, please feel free to reach out and schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation.