Supporting cancer patients and families: a workshop for psychotherapists

Includes bibliographical references (pages 42-63)Cancer is a devastating disease. The realities of the illness and its treatment, however, are only a part of the cancer patient???s life. Cancer causes a whirlpool of emotional and social problems in the lives of both patients and their families. Cancer patients and their families need to manage their emotional reactions to this life-threatening disease, get through treatment, and redefine their life priorities. They may be challenged to adjust to new family roles, and reestablish their social support systems. Such problems cannot be resolved with a simple prescription. In addition to medical support, cancer patients and their families need psychosocial support. \ud This project features a workbook designed for mental health professionals who will be, or are interested in, working with cancer patients and their families. This project contains a literature review of previous studies and research regarding psychosocial support for cancer patients and their families. Such studies indicate that although concepts of Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) are more socially accepted, and thus, more psychosocial support for caner patients and their families is available, there still are many cancer patients and families who struggle with difficult cancer-related problems, and feel isolated and hopeless.\ud The purpose of this workbook is to help mental health professionals support cancer patients and their families. This workbook includes, therefore, useful information about cancer, psycho-oncology, psychosocial needs of cancer patients and their families, and psychotherapeutic interventions to meet such needs. The workbook also contains information about hospice care, palliative care, and loss and grief