CANCER PSYCHOSOCIAL SERVICES

Cancer Psychosocial Services is a new service, managed by ACT Health. It is staffed by a social worker and a psychologist and is community-based.

The service offers psychological, social and practical support for adult cancer patients, their families and carers living in the ACT and surrounding regions.

The service is targeted especially at people who are newly diagnosed with cancer, survivors of cancer, and at those people who are outside the mainstream public health system, including private patients.

Short-term individual counselling and group therapy sessions are offered by the service for cancer patients, their families and carers. When necessary, referrals to other services are also arranged.

Group therapy sessions offered by the service are developed according to clients’ assessed needs and preferences.

Planned topics for these group sessions include:

• Stress management and relaxation training
• Living with uncertainty: facing major change and loss.
• Relationships and communication skills
• Dealing with symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Discussion of personal beliefs related to existential and spiritual issues.

All group and individual sessions are free of charge.

Venues and times:

Individual counselling will be offered in the Civic Health Building.

Group sessions will be offered in various venues in Canberra and at various times.

To register, make a referral, or to find out more information about the service, call the Intake and Assessment Unit on 62052600.

Callers will be asked to leave some personal details, including their name and phone number. The psychologist or the social worker would then call them in order to assess and discuss an appropriate follow-up.