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Psycho-oncological Therapy: what it is and what benefits it provides

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It is clear that patients with cancer require a series of specific care in the field of medicine; however, it must not be forgotten that their health support services should also include psychotherapeutic intervention.

According to official statistics, about 25% of cancer patients also suffer from some psychological disorder., which adds to their physical problems a direct impact on their mental health.

To learn more about this important branch of psychology, In this article we will see what psycho-oncological therapy consists of. and what are its main benefits for people with cancer and their loved ones.

What is psycho-oncological therapy?

The appearance of cancer is, in most cases, a psychologically destabilizing event that gives rise to a crisis capable of affecting mental health in the short and medium term. Besides, This type of psychological alterations can worsen the physical state of the person, as well as an unfavorable evolution of their disease., or even influence their degree of commitment to the medical treatment to be followed (chemotherapy, radiotherapy...). That is why both problems must be treated as soon as possible from the field of psychology that is responsible for doing so: psycho-oncology.

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To achieve this end, oncological psychology professionals base their intervention on giving response to any need that people affected by cancer may present, as well as their relatives.

Psycho-oncology therapy is the process by which mental health professionals offer care, prevention, support and therapeutic intervention services for people who are experiencing cancer, and advise their family and loved ones in general.

It is a discipline that integrates the most advanced psychology therapies, informed by medicine and behavioral sciences, with the aim of providing the most individualized services to people who need to face their psychological problems and also integrate useful management strategies into their daily lives emotional.

Characteristics and benefits of psycho-oncological therapy

People who choose to put themselves in the hands of a psycho-oncology professional obtain a series of benefits that They have been scientifically proven and should be appreciated by anyone who is going through a process of this kind. guy. We see, then, what are the functions of psycho-oncological therapy.

1. Enables a global intervention

Psycho-oncological therapy is characterized in the first place by being individualized and global, that is, by take into account both the possible psychological alterations and the emotions, behaviors and thoughts of people.

Psycho-oncology professionals take into account personal characteristics, needs and problems that their clients have, and value each of their vicissitudes in their environments and contexts individuals.

That is why it allows each patient to improve both emotionally or psychologically as well as individually, at work, in the family or in interpersonal relationships.

  • Related article: "Health Psychology: history, definition and application"

2. Allows treatment of psychological disorders

As we have indicated, there are many psychological alterations that people with cancer can develop.

Among the most common we can highlight cases of anxiety and anxious disorders, traumas, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, development of addictive habits or eating disorders.

3. Online therapy offers more availability

Online therapy is one of the most advantageous therapy modalities in the field of psycho-oncology, since that allows total availability and allows the client to be treated from home or any other site.

An expert psychologist in online psycho-oncology will provide support as close as a face-to-face psychologist can, and will offer options for make availability more flexible.

  • You may be interested in: "The 10 benefits of going to psychological therapy"

4. Provides emotional support

Emotional problems are common in people with cancer and it is one of the alterations that must be treated in greater depth by the psycho-oncological therapist.

In the emotional field we find mainly symptoms related to fear, anger, feelings of abandonment, grief, sadness and helplessness.

5. Offers a context of active listening

Active listening is one of the main strategies used by psychology professionals to encompass and understand everything that their patient wants to tell them and put themselves in her place, that is, to be empathic.

This is a highly important social skill, especially in psycho-oncology cases, since the client must feel supported and understood at all times.

  • Related article: "Active listening: the key to communicate with others"

6. Allows intervention in times of crisis

Psycho-oncological psychology professionals are specialists in jointly applying various therapies, both classical and alternative.

Relationship techniques are a type of therapy widely used to help people achieve states of relaxation or balance between mind and body. Some of the most important are meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, and Mindfulness.

7. Power group therapy

As indicated, group therapy is of great importance in psycho-oncology practice and offers great results for all its participants. It can be offered in combination with individualized psycho-oncology therapy, so that one form of intervention reinforces the other and vice versa..

In group therapy, each participant obtains valuable information and learns life strategies and guidelines that may be useful to them. In addition to that, contact with the group and the establishment of a meaningful relationship with other people works as a therapeutic element.

8. Allows to treat grief

In cancer cases, mourning is a common phenomenon and constitutes a true psychological disorder that must be treated.

Mourning is understood as a new vital process that the person lives and that forces him to adapt to a series of of losses in her life (loss of health, autonomy, friends and family, or her role in the family).

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