Psycho-Oncology
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Cancer and mental health
Cancer has a significant impact on everyone it touches, and the effects are more than physical. Mental and emotional health challenges are common among people living with cancer and cancer survivors. At UCSF Health, we offer comprehensive psycho-oncology services to help our patients and their families cope and heal.
Our team of psychologists and psychiatrists has specialized training in helping people cope with the challenges of cancer, cancer treatment and survivorship. They draw on a range of behavioral and medical therapies to help you address psychological and social issues. They also teach goal-setting, mindfulness and other strategies to help you make meaningful changes and improve your quality of life.
Our psycho-oncology team can help you address many mental health issues related to cancer or cancer treatments, including:
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Appetite changes
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Caregiving challenges
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Psychological distress, including anxiety, depression and any stress related to illness and treatment
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Insomnia
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Pain
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Relationship concerns
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Social isolation
We work with patients of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. If you’d like to meet with us, please ask your UCSF cancer doctor for a referral.
Special programs
We offer a survivorship wellness group program that teaches skills in stress management, mindfulness and other strategies for achieving whole-person wellness after cancer treatment. We also have specialists in behavioral sleep and fatigue who help patients and caregivers address the specific challenges of disrupted sleep and tiredness.
Make a donation
Your support allows us to provide more patients and families access to psychological and psychiatric care and raise mental health awareness. Donate online now.
Cancer and mental health
Cancer has a significant impact on everyone it touches, and the effects are more than physical. Mental and emotional health challenges are common among people living with cancer and cancer survivors. At UCSF Health, we offer comprehensive psycho-oncology services to help our patients and their families cope and heal.
Our team of psychologists and psychiatrists has specialized training in helping people cope with the challenges of cancer, cancer treatment and survivorship. They draw on a range of behavioral and medical therapies to help you address psychological and social issues. They also teach goal-setting, mindfulness and other strategies to help you make meaningful changes and improve your quality of life.
Our psycho-oncology team can help you address many mental health issues related to cancer or cancer treatments, including:
-
Appetite changes
-
Caregiving challenges
-
Psychological distress, including anxiety, depression and any stress related to illness and treatment
-
Insomnia
-
Pain
-
Relationship concerns
-
Social isolation
We work with patients of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. If you’d like to meet with us, please ask your UCSF cancer doctor for a referral.
Special programs
We offer a survivorship wellness group program that teaches skills in stress management, mindfulness and other strategies for achieving whole-person wellness after cancer treatment. We also have specialists in behavioral sleep and fatigue who help patients and caregivers address the specific challenges of disrupted sleep and tiredness.
Make a donation
Your support allows us to provide more patients and families access to psychological and psychiatric care and raise mental health awareness. Donate online now.
Get care
Locations
Providers
Excellence in patient care
Best in California and No. 7 in the nation for cancer care
Rated high-performing hospital for psychiatry care
Related services
Related conditions & treatments
Conditions
- Cancer-Related Stress Disorder
- Anxiety
- Depression
Treatments
- Psycho-Oncology
- Psychotherapy
Accreditations & memberships
National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute has designated UCSF Health a comprehensive cancer center, its highest ranking. This designation is awarded to centers that demonstrate scientific excellence and the ability to conduct cancer research across many disciplines.
Commission on Cancer
UCSF Health's cancer programs have been accredited by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer (CoC) since 1933. The CoC is a consortium of groups dedicated to improving cancer patients' survival and quality of life via research, education and better medical care.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
UCSF is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the world's top cancer centers. The network brings together leaders in treatment and research to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of cancer care.
Guides and forms
Support services
Art for Recovery
Creativity can help people with serious illnesses cope, heal and express what they're going through. Find out about our program and how to join.
Cancer Exercise Counseling
Our one-on-one exercise training sessions, customized for your needs and abilities, can complement other cancer treatments and speed your recovery.
Cancer Nutrition Counseling
UCSF Health offers free nutrition counseling to our patients with cancer, as well as nutrition seminars that are open to anyone. Learn more.
Cancer Support Groups
These groups offered by the Ida and Joseph Friend Patient and Family Cancer Support Center are free and available to all patients, whether or not you get your health care at UCSF.
Core & More Class for Cancer Patients
A strong body helps you fight cancer and enjoy life. Join this class to stabilize your core, strengthen your muscles and improve overall fitness. For cancer patients and caregivers!
Friend to Friend Specialty Shops
A one-stop boutique for patients with cancer. Get professional help with wigs, prostheses, sun-protective clothing, makeup, skin care and more.
Meditation & Guided Imagery for Cancer Patients
Drop in for a free class designed to help you heal, relax and find balance during your treatment. UCSF and non-UCSF patients are welcome.
Oncology Social Work
Social workers offer support, problem-solving, help accessing UCSF cancer-related resources and more. Find out how to contact the social worker for your clinic.
Patient & Family Cancer Support Center
The center offers wellness programming, community, support groups, classes, workshops and more at no cost to people facing cancer and their loved ones.
Peer Support Programs for Cancer
Patients are matched with peer support volunteers according to criteria such as diagnosis, cancer stage, age or gender. Speak to someone who's "been there."