Psychological therapies service for oncology (cancer)

Being diagnosed with cancer can be a difficult and stressful time. We appreciate that a cancer diagnosis and following treatment can affect many areas of your life. We are here to support you and your family and carers across the whole cancer journey.

Psychological therapy and support is available to any adult affected by cancer who is being treated at our hospitals and is available to inpatients and outpatients.  Psychological care is provided by a range of counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists who are all qualified and accredited. Some support may be offered by psychological therapists who are in training.

If you feel you want to talk to someone about your experiences, speak to your healthcare professional and we can arrange this at any of our main hospitals sites (Basildon, Broomfield and Southend Hospitals).

We offer a range of emotional support including:

  • individual counselling
  • psychotherapy
  • couple sessions
  • group sessions
  • well-being sessions
  • mindfulness courses. 

All held in a confidential and safe space for you and your family to work through the psychological and emotional effects of a cancer diagnosis. All psychological therapists abide by a code of ethics.

If you are at risk from a hereditary cancer, you can also access this service. This may include those who are considering and are eligible for surgery to reduce risk where a psychological assessment may be needed.

Services we offer

Psychological therapy

We have three services at each of our main hospitals. All have a range of psychological therapists who are specialised in working with people who are affected by cancer.

There are a range of therapies available depending on the training of the therapist, such as:

  • Humanistic counselling
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
  • Mindfulness based therapy
  • Psychodynamic psychotherapy
  • Systemic therapy
  • Some practitioners in eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR).
  • Groups:
    • Well-being sessions
    • Mindfulness taster sessions and courses
    • Anxiety management.

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How to access psychological care

If you feel you are in a mental health crisis, don’t delay - contact your GP, go to A&E or call 111 using option 2 where a mental health professional will answer your call.

Please let us know if there are any difficulties in accessing psychological support, we will endeavour to provide the appropriate resources such as interpreters.

Inpatients

If you are admitted to a ward at any of our hospitals and would like to be seen by a member of our team, please speak to a member of staff on the ward and they will refer you.

Family members and carers can also ask to be seen at this time.

Outpatients

You can be referred by any healthcare professional at any of our hospitals.

When you have been referred for an outpatient appointment with us, you will be invited for an initial appointment which will include an assessment of your needs. You may be offered a series of individual sessions which are either face to face or online. In some circumstances sessions may take place over the telephone.

Group sessions

If you are interested in coming to a group session, please ask a professional in your team to request a place on the next available group and someone from our team will contact you.

Alternatively, you can email mse.psychologicaltherapiesservice@nhs.net.

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