When is psycho-oncology counselling recommended for anxiety and low mood with cancer?

Cancer can bring fear, uncertainty, grief, anger, changes in identity, and practical pressure. A psycho-oncology counsellor understands how these experiences can interact with diagnosis, treatment, side effects, family roles, work, and body image. Sessions may help you name emotions, manage worry, prepare for difficult conversations, adjust to changes, and find coping strategies that fit your values. Counselling can support people at diagnosis, during treatment, after treatment, or when cancer returns. It does not require you to wait until distress becomes severe.

Tell your oncology team what has changed: sleep, appetite, concentration, motivation, panic, irritability, social contact, or confidence in making decisions. Ask for a psycho-oncology referral and explain whether you prefer individual, family, in-person, or remote sessions. Keep taking prescribed medicines as directed, and mention alcohol or other substances if they are being used to manage feelings. A counsellor can coordinate with your medical team when symptoms may also have a physical or medication-related cause.

Get urgent help if you are thinking about suicide, feel unable to stay safe, have severe agitation or confusion, or cannot care for yourself. Contact your cancer team promptly for rapidly worsening mood, panic that prevents treatment, several nights of very little sleep, or inability to eat or drink. If immediate danger is present, call local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department.

Could my symptoms be related to treatment, pain, sleep, or another medical problem? Can I see a psycho-oncology counsellor? Would family sessions help? What support is available between appointments? Which changes should be reported urgently? Can counselling be combined with medication or other symptom support?