ABRALE’S PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY TEAM CAN HELP FREE OF CHARGE
We know that the human being is an interaction between all the aspects that compose it. Thus, we understand that treatments cannot be restricted to the body alone.
For this reason, ABRALE’s Psychology Department offers different forms of psychological support, that aim at global health, people’s well-being and quality of life, and the reinforcement of the results of medical treatments.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION WITH FREE PSYCHOLOGIST
In an individual interview, our specialized psychologists seek to understand the expectations and needs of each person in order to guide the focus of the therapeutic work, if necessary.
Based on the psychological assessment, the care plan is established, which may consist of individual psychotherapy, specific guidelines or referrals to either internal or external projects.
In order for the patient or caregiver to access psychological care at Abrale, it is necessary to schedule an appointment with the psychologist; the evaluation interview lasts for one to two meetings.
PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY |FREE PSYCHOLOGY
Based on the information gathered during the psychological evaluation, our team psychologist defines, together with the patient, a focus to work on the goal of the therapeutic process. The number of therapeutic meetings is also planned, between 8 to 12 sessions, which take place once a week. In special cases, the number of weeks and frequency of meetings may change. At the end of the process, the achieved results are verified.
FREE PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE
Programs such as online psychological assistance and email psychological assistance, are modalities that differ from psychotherapies.Psycho-oncology is also inserted in this context.
ONLINE PSYCHOLOGIST| ONLINE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT
The Federal Council of Psychology (CFP) published Resolution CFP nº 11/2018, which updates Resolution CFP nº 11/2012 on online psychological care and other services performed by technological means of distance communication.
Previously called “Psychological Guidelines of different types carried out in up to 20 meetings or online contacts” now considered as “consultation and/or psychological care”, emphasizing that at the present time, there is no longer a limitation on the number of sessions.
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY?
Despite all the knowledge and information, cancer is still full of stigma and confusion regarding what its diagnosis is and its characteristics.
The impact of the cancer diagnosis and the performance of invasive procedures during treatment can trigger emotional imbalances, both in the patient and in their family, evoking feelings such as fear, anxiety, anguish, anger and sadness.
After being diagnosed, the life of the patient and their families undergoes major changes such as changes in the day-to-day activities, consultations, exams, matters related to financial issues, and high-cost medications, which demonstrates the iimportance of psychological support in the face of difficulties that need to be heard and welcomed.
Oncological psychology is a specialty within Health Psychology that represents the area between Psychology and Oncology and acts precisely on the needs of cancer patients.
HOW CAN ONCOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY HELP THE ONCOLOGICAL PATIENT AND THEIR FAMILY?
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT IN VIEW OF THE DIAGNOSIS:
This is a stage marked by anguish and anxiety, after all, after a period of expectations and exams regarded as complicated, receiving the diagnosis is anything but easy.
At the beginning of the treatment, everything is new and it is very difficult to understand the information all at once.
The psycho-oncologist can be vital to help the patient and family to adapt to this new reality. Gradually, everyone will be able to feel more empowered to go through this situation in the best possible way.
It is essential to remember that each of us reacts in different ways! Therefore, psychotherapy will help the patient and caregiver at this time, to develop a better ability to cope with this situation.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DURING TREATMENT:
Cancer treatment can be very exhausting and stressful, as it involves prolonged hospital stays, trips to the clinic, doctor appointments, and physical changes. In some cases, the side effects of the treatment also cause discomfort while the patient simultaneously deals with everyday issues.
The family, accompanying the patient, also goes through several transformations from the diagnosis on. For them, everything is very new: the information, the places, the people, and the caregivers. They each have their own time and rhythm to learn to deal with this new scenario.
To a greater or lesser extent, the patient may experience difficulties in dealing with these situations. The work of Psycho-oncology can facilitate the management of the proposed medical treatments, promoting better well-being and quality of life during this period.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AT THE END OF TREATMENT AND SOCIAL REINSERTION:
Most of the time, people interrupt their studies and/or work while they are undergoing treatment. After discharge, they are normally able to return to their routine and this is a very delicate moment, surrounded by expectations and anxiety.
In some cases, patients may have some type of late effects caused by the disease and need to learn to deal with these limitations. Some people, for example, are still unable to return to the same place where they studied/worked and need to face new ways of seeking insertion in the job market.
Situations like these make psychological support, combining psychology and oncology, at this moment just as important as that provided during treatment. The professional will help the patient to deal with day-to-day situations, along with the anxiety present in consultations for follow-up and control exams – after all, even when discharged, it is very common to fear the disease returning.
Psychological support should also be provided for cases that lack a cure proposal and that face coexistence with a chronic disease, which often requires an adaptation to the new reality.
ABRALE
ABRALE – Brazilian Lymphoma and Leukemia Association – was founded in 2002 with the mission of offering help and mobilizing partners so that all people with blood cancer in Brazil have access to the best treatment.
IMPORTANT
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