Counseling when dealing with cancer. Catie’s Gathering, sponsored by CURE (a Childhood Cancer Research organization very close to our hearts here at Waters Edge), is on the horizon – February 24th in fact. With that in mind, we wanted to talk about the many reasons counseling can help during these difficult times.
Seeking counseling when cancer hits close to home is helpful for everyone involved. If you’ve never had a cancer scare or diagnosis, or if you have never lost anyone to cancer – consider yourself extremely lucky. The devastation that a diagnosis or even just an appointment that needs further examination can be truly life altering. Cancer is such a scary word – and an even scarier reality.
Waters Edge Counseling has therapists on our team who are trained in walking cancer patients and families through these realities. We are going to look at a few reasons why counseling is a great asset to those facing sickness, treatment and ultimately – we hope – recovery.
Why Can Counseling Help When Cancer Hits Close to Home?
Many times, when people are diagnosed with cancer, there is immediate fear, anxiety and trepidation about their futures. There is also a very real worry about their families and friends and how to behave around them. We want to delve into why counseling can really alleviate a lot of fears and anxieties centered around these concerns.
Counseling when working with a mental health professional to cope with the challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis can help you understand your feelings and reactions, and it provides a safe place to talk about your worries.
Why should I come to counseling as a cancer patient?
It is entirely normal to feel many different emotions when you have cancer or someone close to you has cancer. There are feelings of stress, anger, and sadness. When these feelings are affecting your daily life or when they last a long time – finding a therapist to talk to can help. Counseling is also helpful when you are dealing with uncertainty or in a period of transition. This may be when a person begins or completes cancer treatment.
Reasons to Seek Counseling when Cancer Hits Close to Home:
Learn to Deal with Your Cancer Diagnosis
This, we realize, is not an easy thing. But coming to grips with what you are facing and having a safe space to express your feelings can unload a lot of that stress.
Feeling Less Overwhelmed and More in Control
When you lay your concerns out in the open with therapists who are trained in this field, you will feel less overwhelmed and hopefully more in control of your situation.
Manage Anxiety and Depression
This is our wheelhouse. Our counselors can help you deal with these new feelings of anxiety and depression that are swirling around your diagnosis. And having a place and person to do this outside of your family and friends gives you freedom to really unleash all of those feelings and emotions.
Dealing with Emotional Concerns about Self-Image, Body-Image and even Intimacy
Our therapists are experts at helping you unpack the feelings you may have during treatment. Loss of hair, fatigue, inability to do a lot of your normal activities – these can be extremely challenging. We can give you the tools to accept this and move in the right direction. Both mentally, emotionally and physically.
Managing Fears and Worries About the Future
It is completely normal to fear the future when faced with a cancer diagnosis. We can help you talk through your fears and worries regarding the future and give you hope and ways to cope.
If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with cancer, please give us a call. We would be honored to take this journey with you and be a sounding board for you. As stated, many of our therapists are trained in working with cancer patients and their families. We are here for you. Call us today at 912.319.5552 or email us at info@watersedgecounseling to find out more. We promise to fight for you and your mental and emotional health during this difficult time.