A cancer diagnosis can be a shock for the patient and their family.

It can produce worry, anxiety, depression, lack of confidence or self-esteem and an inability to concentrate, as well as triggering anxiety and problems from the past.

Counselling is a process of self-exploration that may help an individual to manage problems more effectively through increased self-awareness.
Sessions provide a safe place in which to explore emotional issues in confidence.

You may find it easier to talk to an ‘outsider’ like a professional counsellor rather than friends or family about some issues.
Counselling aims to provide individuals with an opportunity to understand their experiences in a way that helps them feel more in control. It can help people deal more effectively with problems such as:

• worries about the future
• body image issues
• fear of treatment (eg, needle phobia)
• stress
• anger
• relationship difficulties
• sleep disturbance
• panic attacks
• anticipatory nausea and vomitingIf you have difficulty making sense of your feelings or can relate to any of the above or other such experiences, you may find it helpful talking it through with a trained counsellor