Macmillan Cancer Psychological Support (CaPS) Service
We understand that a cancer diagnosis can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. We are here to support you from diagnosis, through treatment and beyond.
Our experienced clinicians specialise in helping people affected by cancer. We offer up to eight free one to one therapy sessions to help you cope with how you are feeling as well as offering practical advice and support. Sessions are confidential and typically one hour long. Face to face appointments are at Croydon University Hospital where we are based and we can also offer video or telephone appointments.
The service is open to anyone over 18 years who is affected by cancer; meaning we are able to support carers and family members as well as people with cancer. We also offer brief couples therapy for issues directly related to cancer, as well as therapy groups for people with specific needs.
How we can help you
Sessions typically focus on helping you to talk about your thoughts and feelings, and finding effective ways of coping with the emotional impacts of the cancer. After treatment, it can be challenging adjusting to the many changes you have faced and we will support you to adjust and move forward with your life.
Typical issues we help with are:
- Making sense of your diagnosis and support with decision making about treatment
- Anxiety and depression, or feelings of anger
- How to talk to others including children about cancer
- Living with uncertainty in your present and future
- Understanding and recovering from traumatic experiences
- Managing the demands of home and family life while caring for yourself
- Adjusting to change and feelings of loss and grief
- Feeling unhappy about changes in the way you look
- Coping with pain, discomfort, fatigue and treatment side-effects
- Coping with how cancer affects your relationships and/or sexual functioning
- Coping with how cancer affects self-esteem and sense of self
- Navigating end-of-life issues
- Managing complex mental health issues alongside cancer
- Initiating and/or reviewing psychiatric medication
How long does it take?
Some people only need one or two sessions to get back on track, whereas others may need an evidence-based talking therapy. We will assess and make a tailored plan to support you in the first appointment. We offer a range of interventions including education, psychotherapy, and practical strategies to cope.
Please note that we are not a crisis service and are unable to provide urgent response care. In this instance, please contact psychiatric liaison services in your trust. We are unable to provide specific bereavement support but will support you to access these services if needed. We work holistically, and closely with our Macmillan nurses and support officers to help you find the right support in your local community, whatever the need.