Psychosocial Interventions
Psychosocial interventions focus on improving quality of life, reducing distress and improving function, rather than fighting the cancer directly by using treatments like surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. These interventions can support people with cancer and their families from the time of diagnosis to end of life care.
Providers
Interventions are provided by a range of professionals depending on the needs of an individual and the availability of local resources. Professionals may include:
- Social workers
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Medical psychotherapists
- Mental health nurses
- Spiritual care providers
- Dietitians
- Physio and occupational therapists
- Speech language therapists
Symptom & Side Effect Management Guides
Find symptom and side effect tools that help to improve the quality of patient care, including guides on how to manage and relieve symptoms and side effects.
Community Services Locator
Use the community services locator available at the Canadian Cancer Society website to find cancer-related services in a specific area.
Wellspring Support Centres
These community-based support centres offer programs and services for people living with cancer.
Types
There are many types of psychosocial interventions, including:
- Patient education (for example, helping patients become active in managing their own care)
- Coping support through psychotherapy or counselling
- Group therapy and stress reduction programs (for example, to help with depression and anxiety)
- Spiritual counselling
- Practical and social support (such as applying for disability or drug coverage, or helping patients return to work after cancer treatments)
- Medication support for more severe cases of depression, anxiety and insomnia
- Support for caregivers and family members
- Lymphedema clinics
- Rehabilitation services
- Nutritional support and education
- Speech language support to help with speaking or swallowing problems
If you are a cancer patient or caring for a family member with cancer, speak to your healthcare team about the support available to you and where you can access it.
Psychosocial Oncology Program
Understand what psychosocial oncology is and which health professionals are involved in providing care.
Patient Education Program
Learn more about the goals of the program, current initiatives and the types of education available to patients and their families.
Guidelines & Advice
Find guidelines and advice that cover care for different types of psychosocial and supportive interventions.