[Practice of psychotherapy for cancer patients].
Cancer is a threat to life and to the psychological well-being of patients. Previous studies have demonstrated that several patients with cancer have suffered from psychological distress. Psychotherapy for cancer patients is effective against psychological distress. There are several kinds of psychotherapy for these patients, such as supportive psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral psychotherapy including relaxation techniques and cognitive restructuring, and supportive-expressive group psychotherapy. Supportive psychotherapy is feasible for many clinicians. Psychotherapists develop a trustful relationship with patients, provide an empathic posture, and use various types of psychotherapeutic treatments. It is important for psychotherapists to understand the psychological background of such patients from various viewpoints.
Oba
Akira
A
Psycho-oncology Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital.
Yoshikawa
Eisho
E
D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*