Clinical Psychology
Psychological care and cancer
When you are diagnosed with cancer people often experience feelings of distress such as worry, fear, anger, sadness, or helplessness. This is common and very normal. You may find support through family, friends, your cancer team, your palliative care team, and support groups.
However, if you feel like you need additional support and are struggling to cope with day-to-day life it may be helpful to meet with a psychological therapist.
There is a small team of Clinical Psychologists and Counsellors based at Velindre Cancer Centre who work with inpatients and outpatients. They can help if people are experiencing emotional or personal difficulties relating to their cancer, both during and after their illness.
We offer therapy to people living with the impact of cancer to help them to feel more able to cope. There are different sorts of psychological therapy, but each gives you time to talk through thoughts, feelings, and other difficulties. Therapy aims to help you to build on your existing coping strategies, so you feel more able to deal with your situation.
What we can support you with
- Adapting to and coping with your illness and treatment.
- Managing feelings such as anxiety, sadness, low mood, anger & loss relating to your diagnosis.
- Coping with tests, procedures, and treatments, and making decisions about treatment.
- Managing pain, fatigue, discomfort, feeding issues, or side effects from treatment.
- Coping with changes to your body or your appearance.
- Moving forward with life after treatment.
- Understanding how cancer can affect your relationships.
- Supporting your children through your illness.
- Facing palliative and incurable illness and the fear of death and dying.
- Managing worries and living with uncertainty.
- Relationship difficulties.
- Sexual difficulties arising from your cancer or treatment.
Meet the team
About the service
Frequently asked questions
Other sources of support
While waiting to see our team there are still many sources of support available to you.
Our contact details
Clinical Psychology & Counselling Service
Velindre Cancer Centre, Velindre Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 2TL
Tel: 029 2019 6141
Email: Clinical.Psychologyservices@wales.nhs.uk