Promoting a Fighting Spirit Psychotherapy for Cancer Patients, Survivors, and Their Families

by Seligman, Linda

• ISBN13: 9780787901905
• ISBN10: 0787901903
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1996-01-18
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

Emotions and Cancer Helps readers understand the important connection between emotions and cancer--and develop the skills needed to provide effective care to cancer patients and their families. With wisdom and compassion, psychologist and cancer survivor Linda Seligman provides practical strategies for helping patients through their trials. She describes successful treatment techniques such as visualization, meditation, hypnosis, and affirmations. The author also outlines ways to lessen the shock of diagnosis, and temper negative reactions to aversive medical procedures.

Author Biography

LINDA SELIGMAN is full professor at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, where she is in charge of the graduate program in community agency counseling. She also is director of the Center for Counseling and Consultation with offices in Fairfax, Virginia, and Bethesda, Maryland.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Acknowledgments	xv
The Author	xvii
Emotions and Cancer	1	(20)
The Importance of Counseling People with Cancer
The Impact of Stress on the Immune System
Research Based on Animal Studies
Research Based on Studies with People
The Impact of Psychotherapy on People with Early-Stage Cancer
The Impact of Psychotherapy on People with Metastasized Cancer
Relationship Between Lifestyle and Cancer
Overview of Chapter
Understanding the Cancer Survivor	21	(23)
Demographic Information
The Family Context
Using Genograms in Family Assessment
Individual Dynamics and Cancer
Overview of Chapter
Using Standardized Assessment	44	(15)
Reasons for Using Standardized Assessment
Mental Disorders in Cancer Survivors
Comprehensive Personality Inventories
Assessment of Transient Psychological Symptoms
Lifestyle and Health Attitudes Assessment
Overview of Chapter
Effective Psychotherapy for Cancer Survivors	59	(20)
Goals of Psychotherapy for Cancer Survivors
Research on Effective Strategies for Psychotherapy with Cancer Survivors
Psychotherapy for Each Stage of Cancer Survivorship
Overview of Chapter
Cognitive Psychotherapy	79	(25)
Rationale for Providing Cognitive Therapy
Moorey and Greer's Model
Identifying and Modifying Cognitive Distortions
Martin Seligman's Learned Optimism
Meichenbaum's Stress Inoculation Training
Visualization and Imagery
Using Meditation
Using Hypnosis
Using Affirmations and Reframing
Using Dreams
Using Reading and Writing
Overview of Chapter
Behavioral and Other Approaches to Psychotherapy	104	(23)
Behavior Therapy
Expressive and Other Approaches
Overview of Chapter
Helping People Cope with Cancer	127	(35)
Diagnosis
Treatment
Physical Changes Associated with Cancer
Long-Term Physical Changes Associated with Cancer Treatments
Cancer-Related Changes in Sexuality and Fertility
Reducing Pain
Overview of Chapter
Therapy and Support Groups	162	(22)
Spiegel's Research
Other Studies
Guidelines
Natural Support Systems
Structured Peer Support Groups
Benefits and Drawbacks
Overview of Chapter
Relationships and Cancer	184	(34)
Providing Support to the Cancer Survivor
The Impact of Cancer on Family Dynamics
When a Partner Has Cancer
The Impact of Cancer in a Family with Children
The Impact of Cancer on Friendships
The Impact of Cancer on Special Populations
Overview of Chapter
Relationships with Treatment Providers	218	(23)
The Importance of Medical Information
Cancer Survivors and Health Care Providers
Rights of Cancer Survivors
Psychotherapists' Use of Medical Information
Psychotherapists Working with Cancer Survivors
Overview of Chapter
Helping People Cope with Recurrence, Death, and Loss	241	(27)
Recurrence
Dying and Death
Group Psychotherapy
The Process of Dying
The Impact of Dying and Death on Family and Friends
Relationships and Mourning
Importance of Support for the Bereaved
Therapists' Own Feelings About Death
Overview of Chapter
Life as a Cancer Survivor	268	(21)
Changes After Cancer
Stages of Cancer
Making the Transition to the Chronic Stage
Passage Through the Chronic Stage
Promoting a Positive Emotional Stance
Cancer as an Opportunity to Review and Improve One's Life
Dealing with the Long-Term Impact of Cancer
Coping with Fear, Uncertainty, and Self-Blame
Establishing a Healthier Lifestyle
Overview of Chapter
Resource A: Six-Session Counseling Framework	289	(10)
Understanding the Person with Cancer
Introduction of Cognitive and Behavioral Strategies
Facilitating the Use of Support Systems
Solidifying Coping Skills
Dealing with Medical Treatments
Reinforcing and Building on Gains
Resource B: Worksheets to Facilitate Psychotherapy	299	(10)
Writing About My Diagnosis
Ways to Help Myself Cope with Cancer
Facilitating Difficult Conversations About Cancer
Qualities and Life Circumstances That May Be Associated with Prognosis
Coping with the Fear of Recurrence or Treatment Failure
Goal Setting
Resource C: Recommended Readings	309	(6)
For Therapists
For Therapists and Cancer Survivors
For Cancer Survivors
For Children
Resource D: Additional Sources of Help and Information	315	(6)
References	321	(16)
Name Index	337	(6)
Subject Index	343