Talk to a Therapist

If you find that you are facing some struggles after a breast cancer diagnosis, you are far from alone. Issues related to anxiety, depression, body image, and even Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are common during and after cancer treatment. Seeing a therapist or counselor might be useful to you in working through some of these challenges. Making the decision to seek support from a therapist for the first time may be intimidating if you don’t know what to expect. Here are some basics on what to expect so you can make an informed decision on whether therapy may be right for you.

How do I know if I should see a therapist?
Only you know what is best for you. Different people decide to go to therapy for different reasons. Sometimes it’s to gain control over some aspect of your life, sometimes it’s to find direction when you are feeling lost, or sometimes it’s simply to have someone to talk to and support you throughout a difficult time in your life. Regardless of the reason, you get to decide what kind of support you want, and therapy will only be as helpful as you want it to be.

What should I expect from therapy?
Therapy sessions may differ on an individual basis, but there are some basics that spread across all therapy practices. First, you can expect to be told about informed consent and confidentiality. This means that the information shared between you and your therapist will remain only between you and your therapist. Therapy providers are not allowed to share the information that you tell them with other family members, friends, etc. without your permission. The only exception being if you express an intention to do harm to either yourself or others. If you have any questions concerning their confidentiality policy don’t hesitate to ask them! Secondly, a lot of times the first session with your therapist may be a shorter “screening” or “assessment” session. This is so they can get the information they need to better understand your situation and what brings you to therapy. After that, sessions will follow individualized schedules based on what you want to accomplish in therapy.

What if I don’t like it?
If at any time you decide that therapy isn’t right for you, you can let your therapist know and end the relationship. Similarly, if you do not feel that you are getting what you need from your current therapist but want to continue trying therapy, it is absolutely okay to switch to someone else. Every practitioner has their own unique style and it is important to find the style that works best for you and your goals. If you are worried about finding a good fit before the first session it could be helpful to call up different therapists for a brief phone interview to determine who you feel comfortable receiving services from.

Will my insurance cover it?
It should. Check with your insurance company to see what is covered under your plan and before you receive services confirm that the provider takes your plan, and make sure you understand what your copay will be if you have one.

Still apprehensive about reaching out?
Check out Triage Cancer’s FREE Quick Guide to Accessing Mental Health Care.