Are you having trouble talking about cancer with your family? Are you feeling helpless about what the next steps are or knowing the available options? I can be your advocate, establishing a comforting and non-judgmental place for you to openly share the spectrum of unsettling feelings that you are facing. As a psychotherapist who’s been working with cancer patients throughout my career, I understand the difficult challenges. Together we will tackle conflicts, discuss hard decisions and find the best solutions for you.
A cancer diagnosis affects the couple as a whole. Feelings of fears and concerns arise that are foreign and often difficult to process. Communication may become difficult and strained. Each person tends to not share fears or concerns as they are protecting the other. Sometimes the cancer patient doesn’t want to burden their spouse with overwhelming fears they are experiencing. Similarly, the spouse may suppresses his/her own feelings. Both are avoiding the ‘pink elephant’ in the room. Couples counseling will help you communicate difficult feelings and will facilitate support and unity.
Cancer not only affects the individual stricken but everyone closest to them. Whether you are a spouse, adult child, family member, friend, or caregiver, a diagnosis of cancer systemically touches everyone closest to the cancer patient.
Acknowledging that you are struggling with your own array of feelings is important. Caring for your own needs are critical to your well-being and can give you the strength to continue on.