Cancer

Most family members I have lost have been to Cancer- including my teenage son in 2005. I have extensive experience as a loved one as well as a continued fascination with the evolution of treatment. The idea- as with other medical dilemmas, is to get to the point that Cancer is a chronic disease when not curable. And we are getting there! Still, this diagnosis provides ample opportunity for existential exploration as well as some good grief work.

Cancer is the reason I became a counselor. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, and in 2016 decided to go to graduate school to become a counselor so that I can serve fellow cancer survivors and terminally ill clients. I am not afraid to talk about pain, death, religion, sexuality, or whatever other issues come up as a result of a cancer diagnosis, cancer treatment, and survivorship.

Cancer is one of the areas I enjoy working with the most in Grief and Loss. I will help you find joy and purpose again in life since your cancer diagnosis and navigate the loss maze that feels never ending. I utilize a variety of approaches to treat these issues including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Brainspotting.

My wife was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer when she was 35 weeks pregnant with our second child and is now thankfully in remission. I was her primary caregiver throughout her treatment/recovery and was able to help her process her trauma and access Post-Traumatic Growth. This first-hand lived experience allows me to understand and empathize with the unique mental health challenges cancer poses for patients, caregivers and their families.

I work with cancer patients in treatment and after to process the trauma of diagnosis and treatment. This work often includes helping clients explore the existential concerns of death, freedom, isolation, and meaning, which often come as a result of having cancer. Other aspects of treatment might include: body image, sexual concerns, family dynamics, and trauma. I also work with couples and families, as cancer is a family disease.

I completed my entire counseling training working within the cancer/chronic illness field and continue to do so. I am passionate about helping clients discover ways to regain control and feel "patient active" after a serious diagnosis.

As a cancer support group leader and facilitator at a local hospital for individuals, I can help you find the courage to work through what you're experiencing, with support and guidance and provide you with tools to manage your toughest days.

Certified oncology social worker. No one needs to face cancer alone & good medicine is not enough! 28 years in integrated cancer care using a person-centered, mindfulness-based approach. Honed expertise in supporting people in all phases of cancer - in treatment, post-treatment survivorship, end of life. Other serious & chronic illnesses, eg. cystic fibrosis, HIV, autoimmune diseases, dialysis, cardiac conditions, and those thriving after organ transplantation.

Much of my counseling experience has been in medical settings, including designing and implementing counseling services in the Cancer Center, Cardiac Rehabilitation, and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Our physical and emotional health are very connected, and my experience includes helping clients manage the stress and fear of medical issues, the grief and loss of health and activity, and navigating important relationships that may now seem to revolve around an illness. You are more than a diagnosis.

As an Oncology Social Worker/Counselor at a Cancer Center, I worked with adult populations and understand the emotional battles that go with diagnosis and long treatments. I worked with patients and family members of cancer patients and survivors. Using a trauma and mindfulness informed perspectives, I can help navigate the emotional path that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

My recent experience has been supporting cancer patients and their loved ones for the last 6+ years. I can help you navigate the oncology world and cope with feelings that arise from cancer, both as a patient and as a caregiver. Additionally, therapy can help start or continue your healing process if you have ever lost a loved one to cancer. Grief never goes away, but with the right tools, you can still find joy in remembering your loved one.

As a therapist specializing in cancer-related issues, I bring a compassionate and comprehensive approach to supporting individuals and their loved ones affected by cancer. I understand the emotional, psychological, and social impact that a cancer diagnosis can have on all aspects of a person's life. My expertise lies in providing a safe and supportive space for clients to explore and navigate the challenges associated with cancer.

Work with cancer patients, their families and caregivers.

I worked for many years as an oncology social worker before having a private practice. I understand the unique challenges of facing a life-changing diagnosis of cancer and what it means to find a "new normal" after treatment ends. I also enjoy working with those who are caring for a patient at home or from afar - partners, adult children, parents, siblings, chosen family. Often, caregivers prioritize the patient's need for support over their own despite their own need for support given the emotional burden it takes to be a caregiver.

I have worked for three years with 1 year post-treatment cancer patients helping them with adjustments to their relationships, finances, physical changes, and self-concept from cancer. My client's include all types and stages of cancer, including chronic or stage four cancer.

I'm a cancer survivor. I facilitate a support group at our local National Cancer Institute certified hospital.

From the shock of diagnosis to the uncertainty of survivorship, cancer shifts the foundation you stand on and requires coping in ways most people aren't used to. I've worked with women facing a variety of cancer diagnoses at a wide range of times since their diagnosis. Cancer can bring a torrent of emotions, which friends and family find it hard to face. You'll be able to bring all your feelings to the therapy room, where you'll find compassion and support.