I have worked with women encountering the emotional, mental, physical
and social ramifications of a cancer diagnosis at the Wellness Community
in Pasadena and at the Art for Recovery Program at Mount Zion Hospital.
In addition to my clinical experience, I worked at Department of
Psychiatry at Stanford University as a project director of a pilot study
investigating the benefits of support groups for women who have been
diagnosed with cancer. My dissertation was also on cancer survivors.
In my work with cancer survivors over the years, I have been struck by
the huge disconnect between the healing and the treatment aspects of the
cancer experience. So often cancer survivors are confronted with the
split between what doctors, culture and family deem reality (“You are
fine now”) and you know to be true (“I have endured dramatic changes and
I am not sure what to do now”).
There seems to be little understanding of the healing process that
follows treatment. Many women feel totally alone when picking up the
pieces. Sexuality and body image concerns are hard issues to talk about,
and the whole cancer experience tends to illicit a host of thoughts and
feelings that are unique for every woman. As a psychotherapist, I am
committed to providing an accepting, thoughtful, and open environment to
discuss whatever you wish. |
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