As a child who lost her mother to stage 4 colon cancer, all within a year from diagnosis to her passing, my personal experience with cancer support has helped define my life for almost 3 decades.
In addition to being a 2nd generation therapist, journeying together with others who have a cancer diagnosis, is one of the reasons I wanted to become a therapist. As someone who witnessed her mother’s rapid deterioration and change in her body, I know how alone and isolated I felt as a witness.
Looking back, I wish I had someone with me that I could talk/listen to and simply be present with. I want to be that person for my clients, so that they do not feel like they are alone.
Going back to my experience as a graduate student, I chose my internship, working at the Duke Cancer Center in Durham, where I was able to spend a year with women who were in various stages of breast cancer and other GYN cancers. During this year, I also ran both open support groups for people with a cancer diagnosis as well as caregivers/family members.
Since I have been fully licensed, I have many clients that I see who are in various stages of diagnosis of cancer. While I know I have personal experience dealing with cancer and loss, I also know that not everyone’s experience is the same. I try and bring an open, vulnerable and loving heart and ears, along with curiosity, to each and every one of my clients.
