As we reach the end of May, which marks Mental Health Awareness Month, it feels as appropriate a time as any to discuss the benefits of seeing a therapist.
Even if you have a great support system of family and friends who are always happy to lend an ear, you may want to consider finding a mental health professional to further help you through this time. This applies whether you're currently going through treatment, are no evidence of disease (NED), have a parent or sibling diagnosed, or are a caregiver for a loved one with breast cancer.
Mental health professionals such as social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists are trained to help their people work through the spectrum of emotions you may be feeling- from the sadness and grief of a recent diagnosis, to the elation of your doctor declaring you cancer free, to the stress and fear of whether the cancer might recur or progress.
Many mental health professionals specialize in working with patients with specific experiences, so finding a therapist specializing in the cancer arena may be especially helpful. Support groups led by one of these mental health professionals can be another way to access therapy while also benefiting from connecting with other breast cancer survivors.
As always, let us know your thoughts and how you’d like to contribute to the discussion.
