Should I See a Therapist After A Breast Cancer Diagnosis?

Jennifer Kolton, LCSW

Cancer Specialist, psychotherapist

Women’s Therapy Center, Plainview, NY

 Thousands of women in our country are diagnosed each year with breast and gynecological cancers. As a Cancer Specialist and psychotherapist at the Women’s Therapy Center in Plainview, I have come to understand that each woman’s experience with cancer is so different. The emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis can vary, just as the stage of disease, treatment course recommended, and support available to each woman is not the same. In fact, very often, these variables play a big role in how well a woman may or may not cope with their diagnosis. One common factor for all women diagnosed is that emotional support is an essential part of healing and learning to live a full and productive life after cancer.

 Sometimes it can be difficult or scary to assess if you need support above and beyond what your medical team, family, and community can provide.  I suggest that as a patient, you start by talking to the Medical Team and ask for an honest assessment of how well they believe you are coping. Many of my patients seek support because their physicians referred or recommended they come for counseling. If you do not have that type of relationship with your physician, you should ask your loved ones to weigh in on how they believe you are doing. They may have already expressed concern to you if they feel you are depressed, anxious, or isolating yourself since your diagnosis. Lastly, be honest with yourself. It can be difficult to accept that we may need professional support when coping with cancer, but I can assure you it is very normal.

There are many benefits to talking with a therapist after a cancer diagnosis. For some women this may be during treatment to help manage the emotional impact of treatment side effects such as hair loss, fatigue, neuropathy, nausea. Patients often report feeling depressed, anxious, scared or isolated. Some women find they need professional counseling after a cancer recurrence as they are learning to cope with a more advanced stage diagnosis. And for many women, they have completed treatment and are cancer free but have been struggling, even for over a year to “get back to normal” after cancer.

Professional counseling and group support can help significantly as we teach patients healthy ways to cope, navigate the medical and hospital system, and move forward with their lives after cancer in a safe and nurturing environment.

If you are considering counseling, please do not hesitate to contact us at the Women’s Therapy Center. Our Team of experts offers comprehensive services for women with cancer. Jennifer’s bio is available on our website. We are happy to speak with you via phone to assess if counseling or group support is right for you. (516) 576-1118 or www.womentc.com