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The introduction of counselling at CancerWise has proved beneficial to many people and there is an ever increasing demand for this service. Some of the needs met and many issues dealt with, are outlined in Karen's Bowles article below. Karen is a specialist cancer trained Counsellor
A diagnosis of cancer can be a devastating experience for most people.
Some people are able to talk to family and friends. It can sometimes be better to talk to someone who is unbiased and has training in allowing feelings to be explored, as any feelings you have are valid and deserve to be acknowledged both by you and those around you. Clients have described it's like being on an emotional roller coaster. Sometimes talking to those that are close can be too difficult, as their feelings may have to be taken into consideration; dealing with their upset and fears, as well as your own, can feel too much to bear.
It is not unusual following a diagnosis of cancer to feel directionless, numb, frozen and afraid. Our sense of control and security is put under threat, that too can be frightening. In strictest confidence talking to a counsellor, who can understand the feelings of isolation, can help you find your way through the myriad of challenges cancer throws up.
Counsellors are not trying to rescue you, they are allowing a safe space to explore your concerns and anxieties. Positive, but realistic, outlooks replace the burden of positive expectations in the battle against cancer. If the cancer has been invasive it wasn't because you weren't positive enough, these fears, losses and grief can be worked through in counselling.
You will gain coping strategies to help communicate difficult, painful issues and understand yourself and your needs better.
Research has shown that counselling plays a significant part in helping individuals and families face, and meet, the many challenges implicit to a cancer diagnosis and therefore improve quality of life. Clients have said they are able to communicate better on emotional issues. They have felt empowered and more able to tackle, where necessary, the health professionals. Counselling has helped them to take back some control over their lives. Counselling has helped relieve tensions with family and friends, enriching those relationships, to allow normality and the ability to still enjoy life and to plan for the future.
If you think you may die, counselling can help you work through those thoughts, to try to make some order and sense to deal with this issue. Counselling can give you all the opportunity to talk about what in life is important to you.
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