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Living with cancer can be overwhelming.  It is only natural to feel stressed or overwhelmed when having to live with the cancer. Sometimes just talking with a loved one may not be enough. Professional counseling can be helpful to deal with cancer-related challenges.

Counselling services can assist cancer patients with the following concerns:

• Managing depression and anxiety
• Sleep difficulties
• Adjusting to life with cancer
• Stress and difficulty of coping with the changes
• Address and family and relationship problems
• Adjusting to treatment related side effects
• Explore concerns about intimacy and sexual health
• Discussing financial concerns and identifying alternatives
• Survivorship
• Uncertainty of future
• Dealing with the fear of recurrence

Types of counselling

1. Individual counseling: this a one on one exchange between just the patient and the counselor. Here, the counselor may ask a few questions and the patient may freely express their concerns.The counselor may also offer some suggestions or alternatives to help with individual coping.
2. Couples or family counseling:  during these counselling sessions, the counselor will listen to the different members of the family and help them to support one another during this stressful time.
3. Group counseling: this type of counseling will happen when people with similar concerns come together.the counselors will lead the group in some discussion and provide support and guidance towards coping.  Group members will learn from both the counselor as well as other members of the group.

Types of counselors

1. Licensed social workers (Clinical): The social workers provide for practical assistance. They will help connect patients to local resources.
2. Oncology social workers:  these counselors are specially trained for cancer patients and help in providing a link between the medical care team, local resources education and counseling for cancer.
3. Psychiatric clinical nurse: these are specialized nurses with a degree in psychiatric nursing. They are licensed to provide counseling and treat depressed persons.
4. Licensed counselors: these counselors are qualified to provide  counseling.

Seeing a counselor during cancer treatment, will help deal with mixed emotions of daily life challenges. Counselors may not be able to solve all problems, but they do give a safe space to talk about and express all your concerns and anxieties about living with cancer.

Authored By : Dr. Shiva Kumar Uppala