Talking, counselling and support groups

Talking therapies involve talking to a trained therapist about your thoughts and feelings. They can help with anxiety and depression.

A therapist may be a counsellor or psychologist. You may meet your therapist regularly. This is usually once a week for several months. Some people continue to see a therapist for years.

All therapy sessions are confidential. This means you can trust your therapist with information that may be personal or embarrassing.

Therapists work with you to understand the difficulties you are facing and suggest different ways you might cope with them. Types of talking therapies include:

• counselling
• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• psychotherapy.

Different types of therapies may suit different people or problems. You usually have an assessment first to find out more about your needs.

Therapy may be:

• one-to-one or in a group
• online or over the phone
• with your family or partner.

Other types of therapy, such as mindfulness and meditation, involve practising techniques by yourself in your own time.

Your GP or a member of your healthcare team may be able to refer you for NHS talking therapies. Or you can contact the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) to find information about private therapy.

In England, you can get free talking therapies on the NHS. These are for common mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression. You can contact the service yourself or your GP can refer you. Visit the NHS website for more information.

Not all areas offer the same services, and waiting times can be long. While you wait, it is important to get the support you need. Many organisations offer support.

You may be able to get support on the phone, online, by email or face-to-face through local support groups. If waiting times are long, it might be better to use self-referral while you are waiting.

You can also think about things that helped you cope in the past and use those coping strategies until you are able to access help. It can help to keep a diary or journal of your feelings and moods. If you start to feel worse, talk to your GP, cancer doctor or specialist nurse.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy. It can help you manage your problems better by changing the way you think and behave. It can be used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, depression or other health problems.

The way we think and behave can have a powerful effect on how we feel. People who are anxious or depressed often have unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour. These can lead to the problem getting worse. CBT helps you change these negative patterns.

The therapist will help you recognise the negative thoughts and help you find ways to change them. They will also help you find out which things give you a sense of satisfaction and pleasure.

You can ask your cancer doctor, specialist nurse or GP about any local support services that are available to you. You can also search for therapists on the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) website.

Private therapists can often see you straight away. They can be expensive, but many offer lower rates if you are on a low income. Private therapy is useful if you:

• want a certain type of talking therapy
• need quick access to treatment
• want to continue therapy for longer than you can on the NHS.

You can find a private therapist through the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Your specialist nurse or hospital doctor may refer you to a hospice for support.

Some hospices can help anyone with cancer or other long-term illnesses. Some can offer psychological support and complementary therapies, such as massage and reflexology, as well as symptom control. The care is free, and it may help you relax and manage your stress better.

You do not always have to stay in the hospice. You can visit for day therapy. This gives you the chance to meet people going through similar experiences. It can also give your family or carers some time for themselves.

Having cancer is a life-changing experience. When treatment finishes, many people find it helps to talk about it and share their thoughts, feelings and advice with other people.

Hearing about how you have coped, what side effects you had and how you managed them may help someone in a similar situation.

To find out more about sharing your experience, call the Supporter Care team on 0300 1000 200.

You can also join our Online Community to connect with people who have been affected by cancer, share your experience, and ask questions. We also have a dedicated emotional support forum on the Online Community.