Psychodynamic interventions in cancer care II: a qualitative analysis of the therapists' reports

Abstract

A wide variety of themes are addressed in psychodynamic interventions in the oncology setting, illustrating that cancer is not the only focus of therapy. Other themes reflect different psychological difficulties triggered by the disease. This study illustrates that cancer patients have different needs, which surpass the event of the disease. Early clarification and comprehension of the demand may therefore be beneficial to adjust the therapeutic approach.

Adjustment to cancer: exploring patients' experiences of participating in a psychodramatic group intervention

“…), such as psychoanalytic (Krenz et al . ) or psychodramatic group therapies. In particular, studies on psychodramatic group psychotherapy for cancer patients are absent, despite the potentiality of this approach in involving the physical aspects of dealing with cancer together with the psychological and social ones.…”

“…However, group therapies have more easily addressed psychological, spiritual or social areas of living with cancer, while physical aspects have been overshadowed. Furthermore, while there is a vast knowledge regarding cognitivebehavioural (Beatty & Koczwara 2010) and supportiveexpressive (Kissane et al 2007) group psychotherapies addressing specific psychosocial problems related to cancer, only few reports have addressed other types of interventions aimed to globally support patients in their psychosocial recovery (Blake-Mortimer et al 1999), such as psychoanalytic (Krenz et al 2014) or psychodramatic group therapies. In particular, studies on psychodramatic group psychotherapy for cancer patients are absent, despite the potentiality of this approach in involving the physical aspects of dealing with cancer together with the psychological and social ones.…”

An exploration of psychotherapists’ experiences in medically driven cancer care settings

“…Research literature (Berterö, ; Conti, ; Krenz et al., ) highlights that cancer diagnosis and treatment have a significant psychological impact on the client. This aspect resonates with the finding of the current study.…”

“…From existing literature, divergent opinions emerge about the skills and knowledge needed by psychotherapists working in cancer settings, such as hospitals or charity organisations. Some authors (Becker, ; Conti, ; Heppner et al., ; Iwamitsu et al., ; Krenz, Godel, Stagno, Stiefel & Ludwig, ; Myers, Stephens, Boyce & Hermann, ; O'Brien, ) believe psychotherapists should have knowledge of medical language and of cancer diseases, while others (Curran & Kobos, ; Heywood & Loewenthal, ; Keeling, ; LeMay & Wilson, ; Lockett, ; O'Connor, Wicker & Germino, ; Parkinson, ; Vos, ) emphasise an existential approach to counselling.…”

“…Krenz et al. () suggest that although some knowledge of medical language may be useful when counselling people with cancer, attention should be given to the wide range of themes emerging from the clients’ distress and concerns rather than the disease itself. In this respect, clients’ experiences of cancer could be better understood by considering their emotional state, inner world (Parkinson, ) and the search for meanings in their illnesses (O'Connor et al., ).…”