Psychological support
When you or someone close to you has cancer, it can be a difficult time for everyone involved. You may have lots of worries and concerns. Your healthcare team, clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre can advise and support you with physical, emotional and financial concerns. Some people may need more support to help manage the emotional difficulties associated with cancer, such as low mood, worry and coping with uncertainty.
Who we are
We are a specialist team of psychologists who support people affected by cancer at any stage of their care. We offer free, one-to-one appointments for people with cancer and their carers to help with cancer-related psychological difficulties.
How we can help
Talking therapy can help you make sense of your concerns. We will discuss practical ways to help you cope with the following issues:
- adjusting to a cancer diagnosis and the changes it brings
- making decisions about cancer treatment
- managing the side effects of treatment, such as pain and fatigue
- coping with emotions such as fear, worry, sadness, anger and frustration
- balancing the demands of home, work and family life while caring for yourself
- adjusting to changes in appearance and body image concerns
- managing concerns about fertility and sexual intimacy
- living with and beyond cancer, including concerns about cancer coming back
What happens during your appointment
We provide a safe environment where you can share your concerns. We use talking therapies to listen to how you are feeling and help you identify and make sense of the main difficulties you are facing. We may be able to suggest coping strategies and will explore with you what support would be best suited to your needs. We offer a choice of face-to-face, virtual or telephone appointments.
A one-off consultation is sometimes all people need and may already be part of your care. Your psychologist may suggest a referral to other services that are better placed to help. Each session lasts up to 50 minutes. Additional sessions with the psychologist may be offered if you both agree this would be helpful.
Accessing the service
Cancer Psychology Care Team
This service is available if you or your relative is having treatment at King’s College Hospital or the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH). Speak to your CNS or healthcare team to request a referral to our service. After receiving a referral, we will contact you to arrange an appointment. Find out more about this service.
Haematology (Haemato-oncology) Counselling and Psychology Service
The haematology department has its own counselling and psychology service for patients affected by blood cancers or bone marrow failure disorders and those undergoing stem cell or bone marrow transplants or CAR-T therapy. This service is available to haematology patients at King’s College Hospital Denmark Hill or the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH). You can access this support if you are an inpatient or outpatient, or a caregiver or relative.
You can request a referral through your CNS or your doctor. You can also self-refer using the contact details below:
Team email address: [email protected]
Team phone numbers: 020 3299 5761 and 020 3299 5103
Find out more about this service.
Further support
If you are struggling with your mental health and need someone to talk to, the Samaritans has a 24-hour confidential helpline. The phone number is 116 123.
If you are feeling suicidal and need urgent support, please contact your GP. If it is out of hours, call the Samaritans or attend your nearest A&E.
If you would like access to psychological therapies, please refer yourself to your local Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service:
Bromley IAPT
Phone 0300 0033000 or email [email protected]
Lewisham IAPT
Phone 020 3228 1350 or email [email protected]
Southwark IAPT
Phone 020 3228 2194 or email [email protected]
Lambeth IAPT
Phone 020 3228 6747 or email [email protected]
Macmillan also has a partnership with Bupa offering six sessions of free telephone counselling. Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 and ask about the Bupa service or visit their website for further information.