Consultation and Treatment for Normal People Enduring Abnormal Circumstances

The Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Department offers comprehensive psychological consultation and treatment services.  The discovery and diagnosis of a life threatening illness is frequently a major emotional crisis for patients and their families. Stress and turmoil are typically experienced in the initial stage and often some degree of emotional hardship accompanies the lengthy period of medical treatment.

Feelings of shock, anxiety, the wish to deny, confusion, uncertainty, sadness, powerlessness as well as hope, are some of the varied emotions that arise. Containing and dealing with these feelings are challenging and patients and families draw on many resources to cope and adjust to the uncertain circumstances.

While the success of the medical treatment of the child, adolescent or young adult is paramount, many important and at times complex psychological issues arise. These include coping with the illness constellation and particularly with feelings of anxiety, sadness and depression, dealing with denial and difficulties in adherence. Similarly, the psychological dynamics and emotional adjustment of the family requires attention as they may affect the process of recovery. Consequently there is frequently considerable need for thought, attention, guidance, advice and discussion.

Our psychological services cover a variety of interventions.  First, we help prepare children for painful and frightening medical interventions and enhancement of their collaboration with the medical team. Improving communication with the ill child and their family regarding the illness, treatment and hospitalization.  We support parents and children with the variety of difficult feelings and thoughts that arise during the illness. This includes engendering hope in adverse circumstances.  We also help couples learn to be supportive and communicative with each other and their children.  Equally important is the support and consultation services we offer siblings.  For the patient, we offer individual consultation for behavioral and emotional problems that arise during the treatment and in its aftermath.  And finally, we provide consultations for school teams and planning for individual, social and scholastic support. These services include: Consultation and Counseling, Short-Term Psychotherapy, Individual Psychotherapy, Couple and Family Therapy, Medical Hypnosis, Relaxation Training and Group Psychotherapy.