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.
What are psychological services?
Depending on your needs, you may be referrered through to the team of Psychologists at Cancer Society or to Lucy Barnes who works from a private clinic in Parnell. All of the Psycologists are experienced in structuring sessions to meet your specific needs, working with individuals and whanau. The team at the Cancer Society also offer group sessions for people who might benefit from interacting with others in similar circumstances.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach for dealing with a serious illness. Our professional psychologists can help you and your whanau cope with many types of cancer-related stress.
Some of our group programs and services run by the Cancer Society include:
- Relaxation and stress management
- Moving Forward (for those post treatment)
- Tips and tools (educational seminar series)
- Coping with cancer (Community talks)
- Light of Love (Mandarin speaking support group)
For specific information about our services, please refer to the link below.
What are benefits of psychological services?
All the Under the Canopy psycologists 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 programmes 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
What will these sessions cost?
All program sessions run by the Cancer Society are free of charge regardless of whether they are one-on-one or group sessions.
| Provider | 1 Hour |
|---|---|
| Lucy Barnes | 160 + GST |
If you wish to talk to Lucy Barnes, session costs are listed below:
Our team of qualified Psychologists are dedicated to supporting those impacted by cancer. We are made up of both Health and Clinical Psychologists with either a master’s degree or PhD and have specialised in understanding the links between physical and emotional wellbeing.
The team specifically addresses how people make sense of and understand physical health conditions and how our physical health impacts on our emotions and everyday lives.
We are fully registered under the New Zealand Psychologist’s board and specialise in working in the area of oncology.
Lucy Barnes (BA, MSc (Hons), PGDipHlthPsych, MNZPsS)
Lucy is a Health Psychologist with 13 years experience in multiple clinical and health settings. She has worked extensively in cancer for 7 years, including at The Cancer Society, Waitemata District Health Board Cancer Services and in private practice. 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.
