Does a psychiatry perform psycho-oncology counselling?

A psycho-oncology team may also include psychologists, counsellors, nurses, social workers and other clinicians with experience supporting people affected by cancer.

This care addresses emotional and psychological difficulties connected with cancer, testing, treatment, recovery or living with uncertainty. Sessions can help with distress, fear, low mood, sleep disruption, changes in relationships, body-image concerns and communication with family members.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can assess mental health symptoms, consider physical and treatment-related contributors, prescribe medication when appropriate and offer psychological therapy if trained to do so. Another team member may lead counselling while the psychiatrist supports diagnosis or medication management.

Tell your oncology team what has been difficult and how it affects sleep, appetite, concentration, relationships or your ability to continue care. Ask whether the service has a psycho-oncology clinician and whether you need a referral.

Before the appointment, note your current medicines, previous mental health care and the main concerns you want to discuss. You can ask whether the first visit is an assessment, a counselling session or a medication review, and whether a family member may attend.

Seek urgent help if you might harm yourself or someone else, cannot keep yourself safe, feel detached from reality, or become severely confused or agitated. Contact local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department; if possible, stay with a trusted person while help is arranged.

Contact your cancer or mental health team promptly if distress is preventing eating, sleeping, taking medicine or attending treatment. New confusion or a sudden major change in behaviour also needs prompt medical assessment because physical illness and medicines can contribute.

Ask who will provide the counselling, what experience they have with cancer care, what the sessions may focus on and how progress will be reviewed. It is also useful to ask how the psycho-oncology service communicates with your oncology team and whom to contact if your symptoms worsen between visits.