How Therapy Can Help You Through Cancer: A Guide to Healing Your Mind While Treating Your Body

You’re Not Just Fighting Cancer—You’re Managing Everything That Comes With It

Getting a cancer diagnosis changes everything. One moment you’re living your normal life, and the next you’re thrown into a world of medical appointments, treatment decisions, and uncertainty about the future. While your medical team focuses on treating your body, it’s equally important to care for your mind and emotions during this challenging time.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, scared, anxious, or depressed—you’re not alone. These feelings are completely normal responses to cancer. What’s encouraging is that research shows therapy can be a powerful tool to help you navigate this journey with more resilience, hope, and quality of life.

Why Your Mental Health Matters as Much as Your Physical Health

When you’re dealing with cancer, taking care of your emotional well-being isn’t just about feeling better—it’s about healing better. Studies show that people who address their mental health during cancer treatment often:

• Have better treatment adherence
• Experience less pain and fatigue
• Maintain stronger relationships with family and friends
• Feel more in control during an uncertain time
• Enjoy a higher quality of life throughout treatment

The statistics are eye-opening: Between 20% to 50% of cancer patients experience anxiety, depression, or adjustment disorders (1). These aren’t signs of weakness—they’re natural responses to a life-changing diagnosis that deserve the same attention as physical symptoms.

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Cancer

Cancer brings a unique set of emotional challenges that can feel overwhelming:

At Diagnosis:

• Shock and disbelief (“This can’t be happening to me”)
• Fear about the future and treatment outcomes
• Anger at the unfairness of the situation
• Sadness about changes to your life plans

During Treatment:

• Anxiety about side effects and procedures
• Frustration with physical limitations
• Worry about being a burden on loved ones
• Uncertainty about each test result

Throughout the Journey:

• Grief for the life you had before cancer
• Difficulty making decisions about treatment
• Feeling isolated from people who “don’t understand”
• Questions about meaning and purpose

These feelings often come in waves and can change from day to day—or even hour to hour. That’s completely normal, and therapy can help you navigate these emotional ups and downs with more stability and self-compassion.

Types of Therapy That Really Help Cancer Patients

The good news is that several types of therapy have strong research backing for helping people with cancer. Here’s what works:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Changing Unhelpful Thoughts

CBT is considered the gold standard for cancer-related anxiety and depression. It helps you:

• Identify negative thought patterns that increase distress
• Learn practical coping strategies for difficult moments
• Develop relaxation techniques to manage stress
• Build confidence in your ability to handle challenges

What CBT might look like: Your therapist might help you notice when you’re catastrophizing about the future and teach you how to focus on what you can control today.

Supportive Therapy: Having Someone in Your Corner

Sometimes you just need a safe space to express your fears, anger, or sadness without judgment. Supportive therapy provides:

• A place to process your emotions freely
• Validation of your experiences
• Help identifying your strengths and resources
• Support in communicating with family and medical teams

Why this matters: Your loved ones care deeply, but they’re also dealing with their own fears about your cancer. A therapist offers support without the emotional burden of worrying about how your feelings affect them.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Finding Peace with Uncertainty

ACT helps you learn to live with the uncertainty that cancer brings while still moving toward what matters most to you. It focuses on:

• Accepting difficult emotions without being overwhelmed by them
• Identifying your core values and what gives life meaning
• Taking action toward your goals despite cancer’s challenges
• Being present in moments of joy, even during treatment

Meaning-Centered Therapy: Finding Purpose in the Journey

This approach, specifically developed for cancer patients, helps you:

• Explore sources of meaning and purpose in your life
• Connect with your legacy and what you want to leave behind
• Find ways to contribute and feel valuable during treatment
• Make sense of your cancer experience within your life story

Research shows that meaning-centered therapy significantly improves spiritual well-being, sense of purpose, and overall quality of life (2).

Mind-Body Approaches That Complement Traditional Therapy

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): MBSR teaches you to focus on the present moment rather than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. Studies show it can:

• Reduce anxiety and depression symptoms
• Improve sleep quality
• Help manage pain and treatment side effects
• Increase overall sense of well-being

The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Society for Integrative Oncology strongly recommend mindfulness interventions for cancer patients experiencing anxiety or depression (3).

Art and Music Therapy Creative therapies offer unique benefits:

• Express emotions that are hard to put into words
• Tap into parts of yourself that feel untouched by cancer
• Create something beautiful during a difficult time
• Connect with others in group settings

Gentle Movement and Yoga Research shows that incorporating gentle movement, meditation, and yoga into your routine can improve treatment outcomes, reduce fatigue, and boost mental health throughout cancer care (4).

When Different Types of Therapy Help Most

Early After Diagnosis

• Supportive therapy to process the initial shock
• CBT to manage acute anxiety about treatment
• Family therapy to help everyone adjust together

During Active Treatment

• Mindfulness practices to manage treatment anxiety
• CBT for dealing with side effects and lifestyle changes
• Supportive therapy for ongoing emotional processing

Advanced Disease or Palliative Care

• Meaning-centered therapy to explore legacy and purpose
• Dignity therapy to reflect on your life story
• Family therapy to facilitate important conversations

Survivorship

• CBT for fear of recurrence
• Supportive therapy for adjusting to “the new normal”
• Group therapy to connect with other survivors

Real Benefits You Can Expect from Cancer Therapy

Research consistently shows that therapy for cancer patients provides:

Emotional Benefits:

• Significant reductions in anxiety and depression
• Better emotional regulation during difficult days
• Increased sense of hope and optimism
• Greater self-compassion and acceptance

Physical Benefits:

• Improved pain management
• Better sleep quality
• Reduced fatigue
• Enhanced immune function

Relationship Benefits:

• Stronger communication with family and friends
• Better advocacy skills with medical teams
• Deeper connections with people who matter most
• Reduced isolation and loneliness

Practical Benefits:

• Better treatment adherence
• Improved decision-making abilities
• Enhanced coping skills for setbacks
• Greater sense of control and empowerment

The effects aren’t just temporary—studies show that the benefits of therapy continue for months after treatment ends (5).

Quick Self-Assessment: Could Therapy Help You?

Take a moment to consider:

• Do you feel overwhelmed by worry about your cancer more days than not?
• Are you having trouble sleeping or eating normally?
• Do you feel disconnected from activities you used to enjoy?
• Are you struggling to communicate with loved ones about your fears?
• Do you feel hopeless about the future?
• Are physical symptoms like pain or fatigue affecting your mood?
• Do you wish you had someone to talk to who really understands?

If you answered “yes” to several of these questions, therapy could be a valuable addition to your cancer care team.

Finding the Right Therapist for Your Cancer Journey

Look for therapists who have:

• Experience working with cancer patients
• Training in evidence-based approaches like CBT or mindfulness
• Understanding of medical treatments and their effects
• Flexible scheduling for treatment days and appointments

Ask potential therapists:

• How many cancer patients have you worked with?
• What approaches do you use for cancer-related anxiety and depression?
• How do you coordinate with medical teams?
• Do you offer telehealth options for days when I’m not feeling well?

Therapy Options That Fit Your Life

In-Person Therapy Traditional face-to-face sessions in a therapist’s office provide the most personal connection and are often covered by insurance.

Telehealth/Online Therapy Video sessions from home are perfect for days when you’re not feeling well, during treatment periods, or when transportation is challenging. Research shows online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for cancer patients (6).

Phone-Based Support For times when video isn’t possible, phone sessions can provide immediate support and guidance.

Group Therapy Connecting with other cancer patients can reduce isolation and provide mutual support. Both in-person and online groups are available.

Intensive Programs Some cancer centers offer intensive day programs that combine multiple types of therapy and support in a comprehensive format.

Taking the First Step

Starting therapy during cancer treatment might feel like one more thing on an already overwhelming list. But think of it this way: you wouldn’t skip chemotherapy because you’re too busy—your mental health deserves the same priority.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Talk to your oncology team about mental health resources at your cancer center
2. Check with your insurance about covered mental health benefits
3. Ask for referrals from other cancer patients or support groups
4. Consider starting with one session to see if it feels helpful
5. Be patient with the process—finding the right therapist might take time

Your Mental Health Is Part of Your Treatment Plan

Cancer treatment isn’t just about eliminating cancer cells—it’s about helping you live well through the experience and beyond. The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network both recommend psychotherapy as a core component of comprehensive cancer care (7).

Your mental health affects your physical health, your relationships, your treatment decisions, and your overall quality of life. Taking care of your emotional well-being isn’t selfish—it’s an essential part of fighting cancer with everything you’ve got.

Moving Forward with Hope

Cancer changes your life, but it doesn’t have to define your entire experience. With the right support—including therapy—many people discover strength they didn’t know they had, deepen relationships that matter most, and find meaning even in the midst of challenge.

You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Professional support is available, effective, and designed specifically for people facing exactly what you’re going through.

Remember: asking for help with your mental health during cancer treatment isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of wisdom. You’re already fighting hard for your physical health. Your emotional health deserves the same fierce advocacy.

Ready to explore how therapy can support you through your cancer journey? www.drlewis.com 

Crisis Resources:

• National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov 
• CancerCare: www.cancercare.org 

References:

(1) Riba MB, Donovan KA, Andersen B, et al. Distress Management, Version 3.2019, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. 2019;17(10):1229-1249. https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2019.0048 

(2) Rodin G, An E, Shnall J, Malfitano C. Psychological Interventions for Patients With Advanced Disease: Implications for Oncology and Palliative Care. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2020;38(9):885-904. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.19.00058 

(3) Carlson LE, Ismaila N, Addington EL, et al. Integrative Oncology Care of Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Adults With Cancer: Society for Integrative Oncology-Asco Guideline. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2023;41(28):4562-4591. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.23.00857 

(5) Andersen BL, Lacchetti C, Ashing K, et al. Management of Anxiety and Depression in Adult Survivors of Cancer: ASCO Guideline Update. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2023;41(18):3426-3453. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.23.00293 

(6) Faller H, Schuler M, Richard M, et al. Effects of Psycho-Oncologic Interventions on Emotional Distress and Quality of Life in Adult Patients With Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2013;31(6):782-93. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2011.40.8922 

(7) Dinkel A, Goerling U, Karger A, et al. Mental Comorbidity and Psychosocial Care in Patients With Cancer. Deutsches Arzteblatt International. 2025;(Forthcoming):arztebl.m2025.0086. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40464630/