Mental Health Counseling
Mental health counseling is an important part of the cancer treatment resources for both patients and their families. Therapy helps individuals cope with the stress of a cancer diagnosis, the difficult decisions that come with it, and any other emotions or mental health issues that may arise along the way. Counseling can provide support, help to identify resources available in the community, and guide patients on how to make informed decisions about their care.
The counselors at Sunridge Medical led by Dr. Lorre Rogers-Franco begin with conducting an assessment to understand the unique needs of each individual patient and their family. From there, we develop a comprehensive treatment plan which often includes different forms of psychotherapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. We also provide information and support to help our patients and their family members understand the impact of emotions and behavior during cancer diagnosis, treatment, and remission.
No matter where you are on your journey, our counselors are here for you every step of the way. Our mental health services combined with our medical care mean patients are assured they will receive the highest quality care from experienced professionals who truly understand what it means to deal with cancer and its effects on mental health.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, please contact us to learn more about our mental health counseling services and how they can help support you during this difficult time.
Research on Cancer and Mental Health Counseling
Mitchell AJ, Ferguson DW, Gill J, Paul J, Symonds P. Depression and anxiety in long-term cancer survivors compared with spouses and healthy controls: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Oncol. 2013 Jul;14(8):721-32. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(13)70244-4. Epub 2013 Jun 5. PMID: 23759376.
Depression and anxiety in long-term cancer survivors compared with spouses and healthy controls: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract: Cancer survival has improved in the past 20 years, affecting the long-term risk of mood disorders. We assessed whether depression and anxiety are more common in long-term survivors of cancer compared with their spouses and with healthy controls.
We systematically searched Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, Science Direct, Ingenta Select, Ovid, and Wiley Interscience for reports about the prevalence of mood disorders in patients diagnosed with cancer at least 2 years previously. We also searched the records of the International Psycho-oncology Society and for reports that cited relevant references. Three investigators independently extracted primary data. We did a random-effects meta-analysis of the prevalence of depression and anxiety in cancer patients compared with spouses and healthy controls.
Our search returned 144 results, 43 were included in the main analysis: for comparisons with healthy controls, 16 assessed depression and ten assessed anxiety; of the comparisons with spouses, 12 assessed depression and five assessed anxiety. The prevalence of depression was 11·6% (95% CI 7·7-16·2) in the pooled sample of 51 381 cancer survivors and 10·2% (8·0-12·6) in 217 630 healthy controls (pooled relative risk [RR] 1·11, 95% CI 0·96-1·27; p=0·17).
The prevalence of anxiety was 17·9% (95% CI 12·8-23·6) in 48 964 cancer survivors and 13·9% (9·8-18·5) in 226 467 healthy controls (RR 1·27, 95% CI 1·08-1·50; p=0·0039). Neither the prevalence of depression (26·7% vs 26·3%; RR 1·01, 95% CI 0·86-1·20; p=0·88) nor the prevalence of anxiety (28·0% vs 40·1%; RR 0·71, 95% CI 0·44-1·14; p=0·16) differed significantly between cancer patients and their spouses.
Our findings suggest that anxiety, rather than depression, is most likely to be a problem in long-term cancer survivors and spouses compared with healthy controls. Efforts should be made to improve recognition and treatment of anxiety in long-term cancer survivors and their spouses.
Relaxation Rooms for the Entire Family
Fighting cancer is often a battle for the entire family. At Sunridge Medical, we recognize the importance of having family be a part of any treatment. This is why we have set aside relaxation rooms for our patients and their friends and family to use to unwind, visit and heal. From the simple expectations of Wi-Fi, to clean air circulation, soft lighting, and carefully curated music to promote healing – Sunridge Medical and our relaxation rooms provide an environment that everyone can feel comfortable.
Research on Relaxation Rooms
Høybye MT. Healing environments in cancer treatment and care. Relations of space and practice in hematological cancer treatment. Acta Oncol. 2013 Feb;52(2):440-6. doi: 10.3109/0284186X.2012.741323. Epub 2012 Nov 28. PMID: 23190358.
Healing environments in cancer treatment and care. Relations of space and practice in hematological cancer treatment
Abstract: Given the growing attention to the importance of design in shaping healing hospital environments this study extends the understanding of healing environments, beyond causal links between environmental exposure and health outcome by elucidating how environments and practices interrelate.
Material and methods: The study was conducted as an ethnographic fieldwork from March 2011 to September 2011 at the Department of Haematology at Odense University Hospital, Denmark, systematically using participant observation and interviews as research strategies. It included 20 patients, four of who were followed closely over an extended time period.
Results: Through thematic analysis five key concepts emerged about the social dynamics of hospital environments: practices of self; creating personal space; social recognition; negotiating space; and ambiguity of space and care. Through these concepts, the study demonstrates how the hospital environment is a flow of relations between space and practice that changes and challenges a structural idea of design and healing. Patients’ sense of healing changes with the experience of progression in treatment and the capacity of the hospital space to incite an experience of homeliness and care. Furthermore, cancer patients continuously challenge the use and limits of space by individual objects and practices of privacy and home.
Discussion: Healing environments are complex relations between practices, space and care, where recognition of the individual patient’s needs, values and experiences is key to developing the environment to support the patient quality of life. The present study holds implications for practice to inform design of future hospital environments for cancer treatment. The study points to the importance for being attentive to the need for flexible spaces in hospitals that recognize the dynamics of healing, by providing individualized care, relating to the particular and changing needs of patients supporting their potential and their challenged condition with the best care possible.
