Counseling & Therapy for Cancer, Chronic & Serious Illness
Discover the Strength, Hope, and Meaning You Need to Navigate This Uncertain Time
Life can change in an instant.
If you or someone you love has recently received a cancer diagnosis or been told you’re facing a serious illness, you know what I mean.
Suddenly, everything feels uncertain – not just your health, but your plans, your relationships, and even your sense of self.
Depending on how recently you’ve been diagnosed, you may be grappling with how this happened, how you’re supposed to make decisions and keep moving forward when you’re this scared, or how unrecognizable it feels life has become.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by fear, grief, anger, or numbness – you’re far from alone. And help is available.
At Big Life Change Therapy, we understand the deep emotional impact that comes with the diagnosis of cancer or a serious illness. It’s not just your body that you start to question, but your heart, mind, and spirit, as well.
Clients often come to us asking:
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How do I stay strong for my family, let alone myself, when I can barely process what's going on?
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How do I make decisions and face treatment without feeling like I'm emotionally falling apart?
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Who am I now that I feel like I've lost so much?
Counseling and therapy can help you process the anxiety and grief, discover your own answers to these types of questions, stay connected to the people and things that matter most to you, and find meaning and a sense of peace in the middle of all the uncertainty you're facing.
And we're here to walk beside you, providing compassionate, evidence-based therapeutic support for both you and your family at every step of your health journey.
How Counseling & Therapy Can Help Those with Cancer, Chronic and Serious Illness
A serious medical diagnosis touches every aspect of our lives – our relationships, our careers, our daily routines, and our sense of purpose.
First and foremost, counseling and therapy can give you a confidential and emotionally safe space to take a deep breath, process all of the information and emotions you're being flooded with, navigate difficult medical decisions with greater clarity, and create the peace of mind and resilience you need to face everything you're going through.
We offer specialized support across every stage of the journey:
If You've Recently Been Diagnosed
In the days and weeks following a cancer or serious medical diagnosis, it's normal to feel shocked, numb, paralyzed, or overwhelmed.
Our therapists are here to help you:
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Express and process the initial shock and emotional impact of your diagnosis without judgment
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Manage the anxiety, depression, and fear that often accompany serious illness, treatments, or procedures
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Develop practical strategies for navigating the deluge of medical information
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Address fears about mortality and the unknown
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Prepare mentally and emotionally for the treatment journey ahead
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Balance your diagnosis with your ongoing life and responsibilities
During Treatment and Recovery
As treatment progresses, your emotional needs often evolve. We offer support to help you:
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Manage treatment side effects using psychological techniques
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Navigate changes in body image, identity, and physical ability
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Maintain motivation, hope, and resilience during difficult moments and challenging treatments
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Address medical and treatment-related trauma
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Balance self-care with family, work, or caregiving roles
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Develop your support network to navigate this difficult time – you are not a burden and people around you can help
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Communicate clearly with loved ones, healthcare providers, and your support system
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Embrace your "new normal" while honoring your past self
For Those in Remission or No Longer in Active Treatment
Finishing treatment doesn't mean the emotional journey is over. In fact, it often brings its own set of unique challenges.
We're here to help you:
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Process any fear of recurrence or lingering health anxiety
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Work through survivor's guilt or complex emotions about recovery
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Redefine your sense of self and purpose after treatment
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Navigate relationship changes that may have occurred during your illness
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Create meaningful rituals to acknowledge and honor your journey
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Get the support you need even after your medical team deems you ready to end treatment
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Compassionately integrate your experience into your life story
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Build a fulfilling "new normal" that acknowledges both your challenges and your strengths
Support for Families and Caregivers
If you're caring for or supporting someone with a serious illness, your own emotional landscape can feel just as raw and overwhelming.
We provide counseling and therapy to help:
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Partners, children, and family members navigate a loved one's diagnosis
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Learn healthy communication strategies for difficult conversations
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Support children coping with a parent's or sibling's illness
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Address anticipatory grief, as well as process grief and loss
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Set healthy boundaries while providing care
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Adjust to a family's evolving "normal" during and after treatment
Our Therapeutic Approach
At Big Life Change Therapy, our clinicians have specialized training in psycho-oncology, medical trauma, and the psychological impact of cancer and chronic or serious illness. We use evidence-based approaches tailored to your unique needs, including:
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Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): to manage anxiety, depression, and overwhelming thoughts
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): to help you live meaningfully despite uncertainty
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Mindfulness-Based Interventions: for symptom and pain management, as well as emotional regulation
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Narrative Therapy: to help you reframe your illness experience and reclaim your voice
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Trauma-Informed Care: to address medical trauma, PTSD, or invasive medical experiences
We offer both in-person and virtual therapy sessions to meet you where you are, accommodating your treatment schedule, energy levels, and evolving needs.
You don't need to wait until you're in crisis to benefit from counseling and therapy. Consider reaching out if you're experiencing:
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Persistent anxiety, depression, or emotional overwhelm that interferes with daily life
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Difficulty following treatment recommendations due to emotional distress
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Significant relationship strain connected to your illness
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High anxiety while awaiting scans, test results, or follow-ups
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Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks related to medical procedures
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Overwhelming fear about the future or uncertainty about your health
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Challenges adjusting to your "new normal" after diagnosis or treatment
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Grief over physical, emotional, or lifestyle losses tied to your illness
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Caregiver fatigue, burnout, or feeling emotionally depleted
Why Choose Big Life Change Therapy?
Seeking psychological support during a serious illness isn't a sign of weakness – it's an evidence-based component of comprehensive care.
Research consistently shows that addressing the emotional aspects of illness can improve quality of life and even impact physical outcomes.
At Big Life Change Therapy, we specialize in helping people navigate major life transitions with clarity, emotional resilience, and self-compassion. And few transitions are as overwhelming or life-altering as facing a serious medical diagnosis.
We understand that adapting to your "new normal" takes both practical strategies and emotional resilience, which is why we offer:
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Specialized expertise in psycho-oncology and serious illness care
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Priority scheduling for urgent needs
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Appointments within 48 hours whenever possible
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Warm, affirming, nonjudgmental support
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Sliding scale options to improve access to care
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In-person and virtual sessions to meet you where you are
Facing a life-changing illness isn't something you should have to navigate alone.
Whether you're living with a cancer diagnosis or serious chronic illness – or you're caring for someone who is – we're here to help you navigate this journey with courage, clarity, and the compassionate support you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule your free 15-minute consultation and ask any questions you have. We look forward to helping you discover the compassionate, comprehensive support you deserve – and find the strength, hope, and meaning you need to navigate this uncertain time.