How can psychologists help?
Hey everyone, I am new to this community but I am eager to learn more. I am a provisional psychologist in Melbourne interested in helping people cope with the emotional difficulties that come with ca...
Forum Discussion
Hi @SarahS. Thank you for asking.
I knew I'd need counselling the moment I was diagnosed (click on my @name to read my story). I asked my breast surgeon. He basically shrugged. Not a big believer in talk therapy, he didn't have anyone he could recommend. My breastcare nurse put me in touch with someone I could access in that week. When I met my oncologist she didn't offer counselling advice eithet; I had to ask. She suggested a psychologist she worked with, but that was going to be very expensive. So she then steered me towards a community based psychologist. That woman helped me through some very dark times during treatment. My mental health post-treatment has not been great, so I'm now seeing a clinical psychologist who is helping. My GP knew of her and thought she'd be a good fit for me.
I was diagnosed in December. I just managed to see the first counsellor in the last week before she went away for a month. I had to wait until February to get an appointment with the next one. This was extremely difficult. I was in a great deal of emotional depress. Access to psychologists is highly problematic.
Given that 50% of people diagnosed with breast cancer will develop depression, I cannot understand why a pathway to counselling is not offered and organised from the diagnosis. It should be standard.
Seeking help for mental health is very difficult for many. It should be made as easy as possible for an at risk community. K
I knew I'd need counselling the moment I was diagnosed (click on my @name to read my story). I asked my breast surgeon. He basically shrugged. Not a big believer in talk therapy, he didn't have anyone he could recommend. My breastcare nurse put me in touch with someone I could access in that week. When I met my oncologist she didn't offer counselling advice eithet; I had to ask. She suggested a psychologist she worked with, but that was going to be very expensive. So she then steered me towards a community based psychologist. That woman helped me through some very dark times during treatment. My mental health post-treatment has not been great, so I'm now seeing a clinical psychologist who is helping. My GP knew of her and thought she'd be a good fit for me.
I was diagnosed in December. I just managed to see the first counsellor in the last week before she went away for a month. I had to wait until February to get an appointment with the next one. This was extremely difficult. I was in a great deal of emotional depress. Access to psychologists is highly problematic.
Given that 50% of people diagnosed with breast cancer will develop depression, I cannot understand why a pathway to counselling is not offered and organised from the diagnosis. It should be standard.
Seeking help for mental health is very difficult for many. It should be made as easy as possible for an at risk community. K