Anyone know Toronto psychologists who specialize in cancer patient counseling

[coliver52]

I was diagnosed with bladder cancer a month ago and I intend to start attending bladder cancer support groups. However, I feel I need support more than once a month right now. I have heard that there are psychologists who make dealing with cancer their specific counseling focus. Does anyone know of someone like that in Toronto? Princess Margaret where I am being treated has psychologists and social workers, but they appear to focus on more complicated issues like severe mental health issues, family conflict and so on, or so it seems. I could be wrong. I would like a cancer therapist who can help me with my very strong fears and the natural anxieties we all face. I don’t really want to continually burden friends and family with these strong emotions! A few people on the U.S. Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network have said they can be extremely helpful. Thanks all!

[Joe]

Hi Coliver,

First of all,  I just want to let you know that pretty much every BCa patient will go through what are experiencing.   Its good that you are self advocate and trying to find a solution for your current issue and reaching us.    Same here in BC that yes there are so called Psycho-oncologists in a major cancer centre like Vancouver General Hospital in BC.  But, someone told me that it is 6 months wait and as you said they may take only patients with serious case.

You can try contact  “Bounce Back” program.  We have in BC and it looks like there is also in Ontario “Bounce Back Ontario”.  https://ontario.cmha.ca/bounceback-for-clients/

“If you’re experiencing low mood, depression, and anxiety, BounceBack can help. Through BounceBack, adults and youth 15+ learn skills to help manage worry and anxiety, combat unhelpful thinking, and become more active and assertive”

Best luck

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

[coliver52]

Hi Joe

Thank you so much for your helpfulness and words of support. It is so terrific to connect with those who are living with the same kind of illness and understand. Thank you for the info. I am glad we have a space particular to our type of cancer to share resources and support. Speaking of which, as I lie here at home after my first TURBT I wish you well in your upcoming appointment. Thanks very much.

[marysue]

Hi coliver52:

It looks like you have received sound advice from Joe.  I too, could have used some psychological counselling back in the day when first dealing with bladder cancer.  I tried to reach out to various people but had little success.  I managed with peer support from Wellspring Calgary and then discovered BCC in 2010.

A psychologist that is trained in the needs of cancer patients is so valuable as they can help you work through your anxiety issues etc.  I think that cancer is unique in the type of effect it has on your mental health.  Cancer is still equated with death in many cases despite the fact that the majority of people now survive cancer or at the very least live much longer than they would have before in earlier times.

I wish you all the best in your recovery.  ((((HUGS))))

[coliver52]

Thank you Marysue for your great comments. I so agree with everything you say. I have also bought a couple of books to help with emotional coping. One is “Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools” by Barbara Tako and the other is “The Cancer Whisperer” by Sophie Sabbage. I believe the latter one is quite well known. Anyway, I am finding them very useful. Thanks again Marysue!

[Rick B]

Hi Coliver52,

I think you are experiencing what all of us do when having to deal with cancer. When I found out I had just retired and felt mad and scared all at the same time. Unfortunately, I had a strong supporting spouse who is a cancer survivor and at that time 12+ years. Nonetheless, I found it difficult to cope with the anxiety. I did not seek professional counseling at the time but I did discover BCC and have been keeping in touch since mid 2013. I received lots of advice and support here and I encourage you to stay in touch. There are many success stories here…I have been cancer free for nearly 7 years now thanks to our healthcare system.

You mentioned that you just found out you have Bladder Cancer. If you would like, please share what your Urologist has recommended as next steps…most on this site can talk to that and help you deal/prepare going forward. You can do that by open forum like this or you can call BCC to be linked with a supporter privately. What kept me going at the outset is knowing that Bladder Cancer is treatable.

Wishing you the very best. God Bless.

Rick

[coliver52]

I really appreciate your comments Rick. In fact your words and support have given me an incredible lift just when I needed it most and will stay with me a long time as I continue on this journey. I really just can’t thank you enough (sorry, don’t mean to be so gushy!). Like you I just recently retired and have good personal support in my life but I am finding it exhausting trying to appear positive around them all the time  – an issue I know that everyone on this forum has experienced at one time or another.  Yesterday I convinced my partner to go away for a few days just so I can have a really good cry whenever I want to!

In three or four weeks my oncology surgeon will give me the results from the TURBT. I know I am high grade from an initial pathology report I got from the Mayo  clinic and while the cancer has invaded the lamina propria and it doesn’t look muscle invasive, there’s a chance it might be.  I’ll share results here in case anyone has advice or opinions. I have been reading a huge amount about bladder cancer so I will better understand what my options may be depending on my diagnosis. Anyway, people like you and others on this forum feel truly like a lifeline. Thank you so, so much.

[Author]

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