Psycho-Oncology
Psycho-Oncology: Supporting the Full Experience of Cancer
A cancer diagnosis often brings more than medical decisions and treatment plans. It can also introduce a range of emotional, relational, and existential challenges that are difficult to navigate alone. In my work in psycho-oncology, I provide a space to attend to these experiences in a way that is both thoughtful and grounded. This work is based on the understanding that cancer affects the whole person—not only the body, but also emotional well-being, relationships, identity, and a sense of meaning and direction.
When we work together, the focus is shaped by your experience and where you are in the process. At times, our work may involve making space for the initial impact of diagnosis—fear, uncertainty, or the need to process what is happening. At other points, it may focus more on managing the demands of treatment, navigating communication with medical providers and loved ones, or coping with changes in daily life.
As things shift, therapy may also move toward deeper reflection on identity, relationships, and how this experience is reshaping your sense of yourself and your life. This can include working through questions of meaning, loss, and adjustment in ways that feel manageable and grounded.
I work with individuals across different phases of care, including diagnosis, active treatment, survivorship, recurrence concerns, and caregiving. Throughout, I aim to provide a steady and responsive space in which both the practical and more personal aspects of this experience can be addressed.
Rather than applying a single approach, I draw from evidence-based therapies—including cognitive-behavioral, supportive, and meaning-centered approaches—in a way that is tailored to what you need at any given time.
This work is collaborative and unfolds over time. It offers a place to process what may feel overwhelming, to develop ways of coping that feel more sustainable, and to find a sense of steadiness during what can be a complex and uncertain experience.
Areas of Focus
I work with individuals who may be:
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Undergoing cancer treatment
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Adjusting to life after treatment or survivorship
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Living with advanced disease, recurrence concerns, or chronic illness
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Navigating medical decision-making and uncertainty
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Experiencing changes in identity, roles, or relationships
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Supporting or caring for a loved one
Together, we may focus on emotional adjustment, managing distress, coping with uncertainty, and working through the broader psychological and relational impact of illness and treatment.
Approach to Care
My approach is grounded in health psychology and informed by psycho-oncology, drawing from integrative, evidence-based practices. This includes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based strategies, cognitive-behavioral approaches, and meaning-centered frameworks.
In addition to reflective and exploratory work, I provide psychoeducation and support the development of practical, skills-based coping strategies to help you navigate the emotional and psychological challenges that may arise throughout the course of illness and treatment.
In our work together, I will guide you in developing ways to:
Navigate uncertainty with greater flexibility
Strengthen emotional awareness and coping
Clarify values and priorities during times of change
Address patterns of distress or avoidance
Cultivate a sense of meaning and continuity across different stages of illness
Care is always tailored to your experience, pace, and goals within a collaborative and supportive framework.
What Sessions May Look Like
Sessions are guided by your individual needs and may shift over time as your experience evolves. Early work often focuses on understanding what you are navigating—emotionally, psychologically, and within the broader context of medical care—while creating space for reflection and stabilization.
As our work develops, sessions may include a combination of open exploration and more structured support. At times, we may focus on processing specific experiences related to illness, treatment, or caregiving. At other times, I may offer psychoeducation or introduce skills-based strategies to help you manage distress, navigate uncertainty, or cope with the day-to-day impact of your situation.
There is no single way this work unfolds. Some sessions may feel more reflective, while others may focus on building practical tools or clarifying next steps. Throughout the process, I will work with you to ensure that sessions remain responsive to your needs, your pace, and the realities of what you are facing.
Collaborative and Integrated Care
When appropriate, I may coordinate with physicians and interdisciplinary care teams to support care that is both psychologically and medically informed. This allows for a more integrated understanding of your experience and ensures that emotional and psychological needs are supported alongside medical care.
Whether you are newly diagnosed, in treatment, navigating survivorship, or supporting someone else, this work offers a space to engage with the emotional and psychological dimensions of illness in a way that is grounded, responsive, and deeply respectful of your experience.