Counselling

Counselling

What is counselling?

Counselling gives an opportunity to gain emotional support and practical guidance to help cope with breast cancer and the impact that this has on the lives of those affected. Counselling is offered to anyone affected by breast cancer before, during or after medical treatment. Counselling is also offered to partners, family members and close friends of those with breast cancer.

How can counselling help?

When facing a diagnosis of breast cancer you may find a range of issues and concerns arise for which your old ways of managing are insufficient. These concerns may relate to diagnosis and treatment and effects of surgery, but may also be related to past issues and concerns about how to promote a healthy life for the future. Counselling can help facilitate exploration of these concerns and help you find new ways to cope and create desired change.

Counselling can be effective in different ways at different stages in the journey with breast cancer and the following specific issues can be encountered:

·         issues of loss connected with breast cancer

·         difficulties with communicating the experience of breast cancer to children and young people

·         coping with the stress of cancer treatment and facing an uncertain future

·         managing anxiety and depression

·         coping with unexpected changes that arise as the result of breast cancer such as early menopause and loss of fertility; significant interruptions to or loss of career, including early retirement and the loss of identity which can accompany this

·         readjustment to living with breast cancer and issues that arise at the end of treatment

·         fears about the future

·         changes in sexual relationship

What happens in a counselling session?

Each counselling session lasts 50 minutes. Most of this time is spent in conversation with the counsellor, but sometimes you may find diagrams and pictures helpful tools to explore and understand issues.

When can counselling be given?

Counselling is appropriate at any stage of treatment for breast cancer including long afterwards or when you feel ready to address emotional issues.

Number of counselling sessions

Counselling sessions are sometimes weekly but more often two to three weekly. This both extends the overall time period of work and fits around breast cancer treatment schedules. The exact number of sessions will be agreed with your counsellor.

Support groups

A variety of support groups are offered at the Haven, offering you a chance to get additional support and to meet others in a similar position. Support groups give you an opportunity to explore issues, to tell your story and to receive support from the group leader and other Visitors.

A variety of groups can be offered including groups for younger women with breast cancer, for partners or other supporters of those with breast cancer, for those dealing with secondary breast cancer, and for all Visitors.

Please click here for Breast Cancer Haven's factsheet entitled Getting Emotional Support.

Please click here for Breast Cancer Haven's factsheet entitled Making the most of your Counselling.