Free Specialist Cancer Counselling

The diagnosis of cancer strikes at virtually every family at some time, causing shock, grief and fear not only for the cancer patient but for their families, friends and work colleagues. Such emotions are often too painful to carry alone, which is why the Cancer Counselling Trust (CCT), established in 1999 offers face-to-face counselling in London and pre-booked telephone counselling across the UK.

"Talking to one of our counsellors can ease the sense of isolation many feel when cancer is diagnosed; and it can help both patients and those close to them to find ways to face the challenges ahead," explains CCT Chief Executive Jonathan Lake.

"One in three of us are diagnosed with cancer during our lives. When this happens there can be a terrible feeling of shock, lack of direction and fear. Waiting lists on the NHS for counselling can be as long as 6-9 months, and counselling is often general in nature rather than expert in the issues raised by living with cancer, or its aftermath. All our counsellors are experienced in working with people affected by cancer. We have a highly flexible approach and endeavour to see all those who contact us within a fortnight, often sooner."

With the celebration of its 10th anniversary in 2009 in mind, the CCT has set itself a challenge - to attract a thousand members to mark the 2009 milestone. The charity is unique in providing a free, specialist counselling service across the UK to anyone impacted by cancer including friends and the family of those diagnosed.

Under the newly launched scheme, members are being asked to contribute only £3 each month. While offering ongoing support to the charity, each member will receive information on events, can attend and vote at the AGM and is eligible for BUPA medical insurance at a reduced rate.

In writing to prospective members of the new fundraising scheme, Jonathan Lake cites the views of the husband of a 29-year old client:

"Thank you for offering counselling to my wife so quickly. She was heavily involved with her mother's care, and after her mother died from cancer, she suffered from depression and traumatic images. With every session I felt a burden lifting from her. Now she is still able to grieve, but she can smile and be her sunny self. You have given her back to me."

What CCT Provides

"We provide up to nine sessions of specialist cancer counselling for each client - be they patient or friend. Each session lasts 50 minutes. We have now seen over a thousand patients, which means roughly 9,000 sessions. Every one of those sessions is tailor-made to the needs of each individual client; after all, everyone's needs are different, and everyone reacts differently to the situation they suddenly find themselves in. Indeed, each caller - whether we see them personally or counsel them by means of pre-booked telephone counselling sessions - has an assessment to ensure their needs and expectations from counselling are met. At this stage we also signpost to other organisations that can offer help over such issues as financial difficulties; medical information; and practical care."

The Cancer Counselling Trust is able to see individuals and couples, and support anyone over the age of 16 who is impacted by cancer, whether they have cancer themselves or they are affected by someone else's illness.

"We see clients from all walks of life, across a wide spectrum of age, race, social-economic background and sexuality," explains Jonathan Lake. "In the last year we have set up various projects to focus on supporting younger people, parents who have to break news of cancer to their children, and clients who are terminally ill with cancer.

About The Counsellors

The counsellors at the Cancer Counselling Trust are all fully qualified and have worked in the field of cancer for decades and are specialists in their work. This specialism allows those who come for counselling to feel understood and supported not only in what they're going through, but in understanding stages of diagnosis, different types of treatment and the impact varying types of cancer can have.

All Trust psychotherapists and counsellors have had specialist training and are registered with either the UK Council of Psychotherapy or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. The Cancer Counselling Trust has been recognised by the Department of Health and the NHS as providing a much needed and utlised service not only in London, but also across the UK. The Trust trains professionals at Cancerbackup, Macmillan Cancer Support and Breast Cancer Care and all these charities consistently refer clients to the Trust, as do oncology departments and NHS surgeries across the UK.

Donations & Further Information

Further information is available at www.cancercounselling.org.uk, from telephone 020 7704 1137 or email support@cctrust.org.uk. Information on donating to the charity is on the website as well as information on the services it offers. The charity is based at 1 Noel Road, London N1 8HQ.

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