Counselling
Hearing the news that you have cancer is one of the most devastating experiences that you can go through. Similarly, if a friend of family member receives the diagnosis, lives are turned upside down in an instant.
One-to-one counselling can help you make sense of a cancer, whether you’re the one going through the diagnosis or treatment, or you’re being affected by someone you love being ill.
CancerCare’s counsellors are all accredited with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and they are here to give you a safe, non-judgemental space to talk openly.
We can also support those going through a bereavement, or those who are being affected by the impact of a life-shortening illness.
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What is it?
At CancerCare, our counselling sessions are defined as one-to-one talking therapy with a fully qualified professional. Counselling is a professional process that helps people explore, understand, and resolve personal, emotional, psychological or social challenges with the support of a trained counsellor.
During a session, you can have a safe, confidential conversation where you can talk about your thoughts, feelings or problems. The counsellor helps you find ways to cope, grow, process feelings and emotions and make positive changes.
What does it involve?
The majority of our counselling clients come into one of our centres for sessions in a comfortable and peaceful counselling room. For clients who may be unable to travel to a centre, or may not be feeling well enough to, we also offer online counselling session via platforms such as Zoom and also the telephone.
Sessions usually last between 45 minutes and one hour.
You might talk about different topics each week, or you may want to revisit things in your sessions. You will lead the session, with the counsellor offering guidance. In early sessions, the counsellor might ask about your background, life situation and what brought you to counselling.
You may explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences. You might talk about patterns, emotions, or relationships, and begin identifying ways to cope, change or grow, all with support from the counsellor.
How can it help you?
Talking to someone who is not a doctor, a member of your family or in your circle of friends can help you to cope better with the many, and often overwhelming emotions you may be feeling.
If you are wary of “over burdening” your loved ones in order to protect them, talking can help you express your inner emotions freely which can reduce your stress levels and help you cope with everyday life.
Many of our clients say that their counselling sessions are an “oasis in their week,” an opportunity for them to vent their emotions and express their inner anxieties without fear of judgement or upsetting someone they hold dear.
Our experienced counsellors can also help you cope with anxiety caused by aspects of the treatment process including fears or phobias about needles, side-effects of medication or surgical procedures.
Counsellors can also help you navigate the process of grief.
For more information, you can read more here.