Medical Psychology – Cancer Services
You may have some questions about what a Cancer Psychologist or Therapist can offer you. This leaflet aims to address some of the things people commonly ask.
Who is in the team?
Cancer psychologists and therapists are specifically trained to help people cope with stressful situations, such as cancer.
Sometimes the psychologist or therapist will have the title of doctor, although they do not prescribe medicine nor admit people to hospital. Instead, they are trained to a high level of understanding human thoughts, behaviours and emotions.
Why have I been asked if I want to see a psychologist or therapist?
When you are ill, it is natural to feel anxious about what may happen, sad about the things you can no longer do or angry about what seems unfair. Sometimes sharing these feelings with family and friends, or doctors and nurses is all you may need. At other times, there are thoughts and feelings that are too difficult to share, or with which you have trouble dealing with.
Who can see a psychologist or therapist?
You can be referred to the service if you have been diagnosed with cancer and are under the care of a South Tees Hospitals doctor or specialist nurse.
What sort of problems can a psychologist or therapist help with?
The diagnosis, symptoms and treatment of cancer can result in changes with which you may find it difficult to cope. We recognise that cancer affects the whole person, not just the body. Concerns include:
coping with symptoms or treatment
making decisions about care
feeling worried, fearful and angry
relationship difficulties, including issues around sexuality and intimacy
dealing with uncertainty
feeling unhappy about changes to the way you look
coping with adjustments or change
coming to terms with losses
depression and anxiety
Where will I be seen?
Outpatient appointments are held at the Trinity Holistic Centre or at the Haematology Day Unit, James Cook University Hospital. You can also be seen on the ward if you are an inpatient.
What will happen at my appointment?
Following the referral, you will be sent a letter asking you to opt-in to the service. If you do, you will be sent a further letter offering you an initial telephone triage assessment session, to ensure that you are cared for by the right service. Further telephone or face to face sessions may be offered after this and you will be provided with the relevant details.
If you are an inpatient, a psychologist or therapist can come to visit you on the ward. The first meeting identifies which concerns and worries are important to you. You may be asked to complete a short symptom questionnaire. The psychologist or therapist will focus on helping you understand your difficulties and strengthen your ability to cope.
The psychologist or therapist will be happy to answer any questions and together you will decide if further appointments are necessary.
How long will the appointment last?
Appointments last around 50 minutes.
How many appointments will I have?
The number and frequency of appointments will vary according to the nature of the psychological or therapeutic work.
If, at any time, you no longer wish to be seen, please inform the psychologist or therapist in advance of your appointment so that your appointment can be offered to someone else. This will not have any effect on your medical care or treatment.
What about confidentiality?
What you talk about in the session is generally kept confidential. However, in a healthcare setting, information that is relevant to your medical treatment may be discussed with the doctors and nurses. Your psychologist or therapist will discuss this with you in your first appointment. Please tell them if there is anything you do not wish them to share. This will not usually be a problem apart from exceptional cases where there is a risk of harm to yourself or someone else.
Please look at www.southtees.nhs.net and search Psychology and Therapy in Cancer Services for more information about psychological support for cancer patients and their carers.
Contact us
If you require further information, please contact Medical Psychology – Cancer Services on:
Telephone: 01642 282708, Monday to Friday, 9am until 4pm
Email: [email protected]
Please go to www.southtees.nhs.net and search ‘Psychology and Therapy in Cancer Services’ for more information about psychosocial support for South Tees cancer patients.
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the patient experience department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print by emailing: [email protected]