Clare Reed,
CBT for Cancer Therapist
CBT for Family & Friends - supporting and caring for a loved one diagnosed with Cancer
When you hear from a loved one the words, ‘I have Cancer’, it shocks you to your core. No-one ever wants their loved ones to suffer. The distress an onlooker to such a diagnosis goes through is often underestimated. In my CBT for Cancer practice I have helped hundreds of people deal with the aftermath of being given this painful news.
I have been the recipient of this Cancer news when my Mum was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and fully understand how hard it is to hear such words. The worst is, as a Cancer carer or Cancer supporter, is that you feel you have to hide your pain and upset and be strong for the person you are now supporting, and it’s true - you do. That is why you need to find your inner strength, resilience and championing skills fast!
To support a loved one, be it a partner, friend, child or parent during their Cancer treatment takes a lot of energy and drive, particularly if the diagnosis is not great. Being mentally prepared to see your loved one go through their rigorous Cancer treatment plan and see them change in front of you physically, and often mentally, is tough. Cancer has wrecked many supposedly strong relationships due to its testing nature.
In my CBT for Cancer patient supporter sessions I use the analogy of the oxygen mask on an aeroplane - a lot! When the safety demonstration is given on an aeroplane before take off it is made clear you have to attend to your own oxygen mask first, before attending to the young, ill or elderly. You have to prioritise yourself, or else you will be of no good use to anyone. The worst is most people feel guilty for being healthy and being able to get on with their lives that they try and turn into a 'Nurse Nightingale' character, which is often not compatible with their own obligations in life, such as work, parenting, socialising etc.
With CBT for Cancer techniques and tools I can help you work out how to deal with this news and how to help your loved one through their Cancer treatment and plan. As each patient is unique this is tailored to your situation completely. I will help you to manage your anxiety, energy levels and bad days and you will learn how to prioritise your own health and mental well being. For the sake of your loved one this will be critical.
If you are struggling to deal with such news and providing care to a Cancer patient or supporting a loved one with Cancer don’t hesitate to book a session with me and start getting the support you need too.
Who is CBT for Cancer for?
It is for you if you are newly diagnosed with cancer, going through cancer treatment, or in remission and also for those affected by cancer, if you are a carer, an adult child of someone with cancer (over 18), parent, partner, friend of someone with cancer I am here to help.
The best part is you don't have to leave the comfort of your own home as all my CBT sessions are 1:1, face to face, on Skype.
CBT for Cancer in a nutshell
CBT is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It helps you with your mental thoughts (cognitions) and your behaviours (actions). When you are struggling with cancer, at any stage, your mind can be your own worst enemy.
I will teach you techniques and tools to help you regain control of your mind and kick negative and unhelpful thoughts into touch.
When your body feels like it is letting you down it is easy to give up and not help yourself, cancer can undermine your confidence and self-esteem, leading to sabotaging behaviour. I will motivate you with actionable techniques and tools to get your body and your actions back onto the achievable life plan you want to lead.
Anne's Story with CBT for Cancer
"When I found out my mother had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2016 I was out of mind with worry. I couldn't eat, sleep or work and had to take time off with sick leave. It was so hard, as I have my own family and none of my siblings seemed to care about what was going on with Mum. I spent my days running back and forth to the hospital, and after that to the care home I was completely wrecked and came down with a flu I couldn't shake for a month.
Clare was referred to me by my GP. She really rescued me, I hadn't realised how badly I was doing and that I had neglected to care for myself and how that was affecting my own life. We worked over a couple of months on a plan to get my life in balance and I learnt how to delegate through some assertiveness training to my siblings. Although my mother did sadly pass away I can look back on that time glad to have been in better shape for her last days when she really needed me and that is down to CBT and Clare's knowledge. I have referred many friends to Clare since who will back me up saying that she really knows how to help with this."
"A new healthy lifestyle is for life not just for Cancer."
Check out my Lifestyle for Cancer Programme
