Cancer survivors : a study of the lived experience of what cancer patients find therapeutic in psychotherapy

Abstract

This study explored what cancer patients found therapeutic in psychotherapy during the time of their illness or after. It also unearthed the manner in which cancer patients made sense of their lived experience. For this purpose, a retrospective study was used. Four females who were diagnosed with breast cancer and who had previously attended a number of psychological sessions with a psychologist, counsellor or psychotherapist during the time of the illness and /or after, participated in the study. Data was collected using individual semi-structured interviews. Eight in-depth interviews were carried out, two with each participant; the first focused solely on their cancer experience, and the second focused on their experience of psychotherapy. By adopting a Phenomenological approach, data was elicited from the participants and later transcribed verbatim. Each interview was analysed utilising Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). From this analysis, five major themes emerged: The Chaos of Cancer, Going to a Shrink, My Needs at the Time, Undergoing Psychotherapy and Healing, Feeling Less Burdened and More Supported. The results illustrated the effects of cancer on the participants. Additionally, their psychological needs and the effects psychotherapy had on their experience also emerged. The results underscore the significance of carrying out a needs assessment. They also indicate the importance of considering that the therapeutic frame may be particular to cancer patients. This study also emphasizes benefits of psychotherapy within the field of psycho-oncology.