Patient Information

Counselling Support

 

The service has been provided for over 20 years when nothing was available for anxious parents to talk to someone 24/7.  Most times parents need online or telephone counselling appointments because it’s easier for them to access or fits with their lifestyle or working hours better. 

They cannot leave their child. 
They can see a counsellor very quickly to help them and the child cope. 
If the child dies the service is then provided privately face to face since it takes months to get a counsellor on the NHS. 

The parents need help now.
They are so distraught they need to off load their worries to someone that has been through what they are going through concerning their child has been diagnosed with cancer.
They have so many worries relating to their child. They are looking for answers to help them cope with what is happening to their child and themselves.

They need to know about second opinions, treatment protocols, how will they cope?

The service was created by increased demand over the years from parents and also the children  that are not coping at all.

The charity funds immediate help for the parent or child.

Whatever it takes to help the family through this dreadful time they are being put through.
From telephone counselling, advice about protocols, treatment, second opinions, referrals to another hospital.
The activities are very comprehensive from simple art to help children express them selves and give them some piece to expert one to one help for them and their family.
The service is national,  Since  the counselling  is not just about face-to-face appointments.
Many counselling offer sessions through online platforms or appointments by telephone.Even though you’re not in the same room, the counselling  can still help you to explore how you’re feeling, understand what you are going through and support you to make changes in your life if you need to.
We have found that many parents  find online counselling useful as another way to express themselves too.
 We specialise in a particular area, concerning Rhabdomyosarcoma cancer.
Online and face to face counselling, bereavement or family guidance.
The parents do not need to wait for a referral from their GP.
The charity offers this service from demand from parents over the 20 years since they need answers to particular specialised questions that a normal therapist could not help them or direct them.
The service covers everything needed to help those parents and children including bereavement, anger.
We are currently talking to Institute of cancer research to also setup information based meetings for parents to attend nationally.

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Since counselling can help 

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• Decrease feelings of isolation for both the patient and family

• Provide an opportunity to ventilate feelings to someone who is accepting and respectful

• Improve individual coping abilities 

• Improve socialization skills 

• Improve interpersonal relationships with medical personnel and family members 

• Provide a sense of control and mastery that may otherwise be lost while involved in ongoing treatment

As the child is adjusting to their cancer they can experience:
 

• Loneliness

• Low self-esteem

• Withdrawal

• Loss of control

• Aggressive behaviour

• Spiritual alienation 
   

As the parents and siblings adjust they can experience:
 

• Acute depression

• Loss of control

• Sleeplessness

• Irritability

• Work difficulties

• Marital tensions

• Fatigue 

• A sense of helplessness and isolation

• Overeating

• Poor school performance
   

We provide a 24/7 service online and face to face for those children and parents. We found from over 20 years experience of talking to them that they needed additional expert help, whatever it takes  to help them get through this dreadful life experience that no child or parent should ever face.

Email in confidence to lynn@chrislucastrust.com or telephone 0191 2632884. mobile 07986133365.