Emotional wellbeing

Psychological services

It’s common to experience a wide range of intense emotions when going through cancer or supporting someone close to you through cancer.

Many people find it useful to talk through these emotions with a trained psychologist who can provide reassurance, guidance and teach coping strategies to help you manage.

Whether you are starting treatment, are just finishing up with treatment or supporting someone else, our professional psychologists are experts in providing support to people and their whanau with the distress that cancer can bring about.

Emotional wellbeing program

What are psychological services?

Depending on your needs, you may be referred through to our private Health Psychologist Lucy Barnes, or the team of Psychologists at Cancer Society. All of the Under the Canopy Psychologists are experienced in structuring sessions to meet your specific needs, working with individuals and whanau.

Benefits of emotional wellbeing program

What are benefits of psychological services?

All the Under the Canopy psychologists are committed to helping people negotiate the emotional and social challenges of cancer and its treatments

Talking with one of our team members in an individual counselling session or attending one of our many group programs can help with the following:

Coming to terms with a new diagnosis

Learning to manage difficult emotions such as anger, frustration, grief, sadness, anxiety or depression

Learning stress management techniques

Talking with health professionals - what questions to ask and how

Addressing communication with family members and talking with children

Learning helpful coping strategies including relaxation and mindfulness

Making the decisions that are right for you

Coping with treatment, side effects, medical procedures and tests

Moving on with life after cancer and regaining confidence

Costs and enrolment

What will these sessions cost?

As with any private service, there is a charge associated with seeing our Health Psychologists and counsellors'. However, the first session is free. Check your health insurance policy to see if your provider includes emotional or psychological support for and subsequent sessions you make like to have.

Our team

Lucy Barnes BA, MSc (Hons), PGDipHlthPsych

Lucy Barnes is a registered Health Psychologist with over 20 years experience specialising in psycho-oncology. Lucy has worked at the Cancer Society, Te Whatu Ora – Waitemata and Auckland, private practice and currently as the National Manager Psychosocial Services at CanTeen Aotearoa.

She believes strongly in enabling people to better navigate the challenges of a cancer diagnosis by developing and strengthening coping resources. Emotional support, education and guidance can assist in coping throughout all stages of the cancer pathway.

Therapy modalities include:

· Counselling and Narrative Therapy

· Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Meditation

· Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

· Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Lucy’s other specialities include working with anxiety disorders, depression, coping with a variety of health conditions, life change and stress management.

Lucy gained her degree at The University of Auckland. She holds a Master’s Degree and Post Graduate Diploma in Health Psychology. She is a registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board and is a member of The New Zealand Psychological Society and The Institute of Health Psychology.

Emotional wellbeing

Psychological services