Dedicated to cancering with a proactive approach!
"Nothing can be done without hope." - Helen Keller |
I am a Board-Certified Licensed Mental Health Counselor offering counseling assistance and services to people suffering from, and dealing with, the emotional distress of receiving a cancer diagnosis. Stress, anxiety, depression, fear, grief, loss, and trauma are issues that can inhibit and interrupt healing and recuperation.
My primary role is to address the psychological needs of people dealing with cancer by providing emotional support, and by offering tools and coping skills for improving resistance, resilience, recovery and hope! My goal is to take the fear out of a cancer diagnosis by:
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Knowledge is power!
Educate yourself and find out as much as you can about your particular cancer.
Carefully weigh ALL your options.
Do not take anything for granted; do not assume anything.
Question all literature and gather as much information as possible.
Bring a health advocate or caregiver with you when you see your doctor(s).
Find the best healthcare team for you and take charge!
Do not neglect the psychological factors!
Carefully weigh ALL your options.
Do not take anything for granted; do not assume anything.
Question all literature and gather as much information as possible.
Bring a health advocate or caregiver with you when you see your doctor(s).
Find the best healthcare team for you and take charge!
Do not neglect the psychological factors!
Psychological Factors of Dealing with Cancer
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Anxiety and Depression top the list!
Anger Apprehension Confusion Envy and Frustration Guilt and Shame Grief and Loss Hopelessness and Despair Feeling Irrational and Reactive Being Overwhelmed Trauma and PTSD |
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Benefits of Cancer Counseling
Improvement in quality of life!
With proper support, you will be better prepared to handle the unique needs and challenges of having cancer,
which can lead to a richer and more productive life.
With proper support, you will be better prepared to handle the unique needs and challenges of having cancer,
which can lead to a richer and more productive life.
Individual attention to your needs.
You will be given insight into thought processes, guided on reframing perspective and self-talk,
offered coping strategies, and supported in adjusting to the many changes cancer brings into your life.
You will be given insight into thought processes, guided on reframing perspective and self-talk,
offered coping strategies, and supported in adjusting to the many changes cancer brings into your life.
Stress reduction to alleviate anxiety.
Anxiety is counter-productive to healing. Developing a Relaxation Response helps to diminish
emotional fatigue and to enhance your ability to focus your thoughts and to think with clarity,
which is important when making decisions regarding treatment options.
Anxiety is counter-productive to healing. Developing a Relaxation Response helps to diminish
emotional fatigue and to enhance your ability to focus your thoughts and to think with clarity,
which is important when making decisions regarding treatment options.
Express and manage emotions.
An opportunity to identify, express and manage emotions in a safe and supportive environment.
Facing fear and uncertainty, managing anger, struggling with loneliness and isolation,
learning the difference between sadness and depression, dealing with the trauma of the diagnosis,
coping with grief and loss issues - loss of control, health, independence, relationships.
An opportunity to identify, express and manage emotions in a safe and supportive environment.
Facing fear and uncertainty, managing anger, struggling with loneliness and isolation,
learning the difference between sadness and depression, dealing with the trauma of the diagnosis,
coping with grief and loss issues - loss of control, health, independence, relationships.
Acquire coping skills.
Learn how to manage unhelpful thinking, deal with changes in relationships, communicate with family and friends,
adjust to identity and self-image issues, address spirituality questions, handle physical factors associated with treatment.
Learn how to manage unhelpful thinking, deal with changes in relationships, communicate with family and friends,
adjust to identity and self-image issues, address spirituality questions, handle physical factors associated with treatment.
Create a sense of hope!
Finding purpose and meaning in life can help to sustain hope while new ways to fight cancer are being discovered.
Already, some cancers can be cured, while others can be treated and maintained for years.
Negative side effects and pain can be managed with conventional medicine and complementary therapies.
Finding purpose and meaning in life can help to sustain hope while new ways to fight cancer are being discovered.
Already, some cancers can be cured, while others can be treated and maintained for years.
Negative side effects and pain can be managed with conventional medicine and complementary therapies.
Physiological Factors Associated with Cancer
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Fatigue - Most common symptom!
Changes in Appetite Changes in Body Image Gastro-Intestinal Problems Fertility Issues Low Libido Nausea Pain and/or Discomfort Sleep Disturbances Vomiting |
Recognizing Signs of Stress and Anxiety
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Your physical body is negatively affected by unmanaged stress and untreated anxiety.
Under stress, your body will produce adrenaline making your heart beat faster and increasing your blood pressure,
which may result in shallow breathing, dry mouth and sweaty palms.
Left untreated, anxiety may lead to increased health risks (diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease),
and/or cognitive impairment (memory issues, difficulty concentrating, poor decision-making).
Neglecting cancer-related signs of stress and anxiety is not conducive to improving resistance, resiliency or recovery.
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Physical Symptoms
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Emotional Effects
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Behaviors
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Digestive problems
Dizziness, nausea, dry mouth Hot flashes, sweating Loss of sexual desire or ability Low energy - exhaustion Low immunity - frequent infections Muscle tension, aches and pains Rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath Sleep disturbances |
Agitation
Anger and resentment Anhedonia - depression Feeling confused, fearful, lonely Feelings of being overwhelmed General unhappiness - sadness Irritability Negative thinking Worry and unease |
Avoiding people and places
Being hyper-vigilant Being short-tempered with others Being tearful Developing unhealthy habits Isolating, withdrawing General moodiness Nervous activity Restlessness |
For an appointment, please call or text: (561) 529-4488
Office: 7711 N. Military Trail, Suite 216, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Office: 7711 N. Military Trail, Suite 216, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
© TakingTheFearOutOfCancerCounseling.com
2018 - 2024
All rights reserved worldwide.
2018 - 2024
All rights reserved worldwide.