PanSupport Counselling Program
Living with cancer can be unnerving, confusing, and disorienting.
You may have mixed emotions of surprise, disbelief, and anger; and you may feel sad and disappointed, with fear and uncertainty for the future. Many patients often describe their cancer experience as an ‘emotional roller coaster’. It’s important to know that these feelings are normal and that you’re not alone.
How we can help
PanSupport offers access to professional counselling support for patients, carers and their families throughout all stages of the cancer spectrum – diagnosis, during treatment, living beyond cancer or in advanced stages. In addition, we offer counselling support for family members bereaved by the death of a loved one.
Our qualified counsellor offers complimentary 45 minute sessions to help individuals understand any emotions, reactions and challenges that come with living or caring for someone with cancer in a private and confidential space via video or phone call.
Counselling can help give you tools and strategies to help you with:
- coping with a cancer diagnosis
- feeling less overwhelmed
- coping with cancer-related symptoms and side effects
- managing feelings of anxiety or depression
- how to communicate effectively with health care teams, family and friends
- adjust to changes in daily life and relationships
- reflect on time beyond treatment for self or loved one.
Meet our Counsellors
Mira
Mira is a warm, genuine and insightful Counsellor who has been with Pancare Foundation for three years and is a qualified Counsellor holding a Graduate Diploma in Psychology. Mira is experienced in offering emotional support for families navigating upper GI cancers.
Mira offers an empathetic and compassionate person-centered approach and will listen to you to find out what matters most to you to support you with your emotional wellbeing. She strongly believes in building a trusting relationship to help you find strategies to cope with the emotional impact of cancer and find joy and purpose in each day.
Outside of work, you’re most likely to find Mira taking her beloved dog Simba for a walk!
Joanna
Joanna is a Social Worker with a Masters of Social Work.
Before joining Pancare Foundation, Joanna worked for over three years in community palliative care and is experienced in providing emotional support to patients living with cancer and their carers. Joanna takes a collaborative approach to counselling with a focus on building rapport, creating a safe space to talk about issues of concern and explore strategies to live well in line with the individual’s own values and interests.
Outside of work, Joanna enjoys getting out for a run at her local Parkrun on a Saturday morning.
How to book your appointment
To arrange an appointment with one of our PanSupport Counsellors, you’ll first need to speak with one of our Specialist Upper GI Cancer Nurses who can arrange your appointment.
Call 1300 881 698 or book a call with a Specialist Upper GI Cancer Nurse.
Speak to our Specialist Support Team for Emotional Support.
Specialist Support Team 1300 881 698
