DONATEPSYCHO ONCOLOGY SERVICES
Supporting minds in the fight against cancer
Our Vision
To provide compassionate psychological care to patients and caregivers, enhancing their quality of life through each phase of the cancer journey.
Why Psycho-Oncology?
A cancer diagnosis affects not just the body, but also the mind, relationships, and day-to-day functioning. Patients and families often face overwhelming questions, fears, and lifestyle changes.
The Psycho-Oncology Department at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC) offers a dedicated space for emotional healing, guided by trained psychologists and counselors who understand the psychological complexities of living with cancer.
What is Counseling?
- Counseling is a confidential, one-on-one interaction between a trained therapist and a patient or caregiver. It creates a safe environment to express distressing thoughts, emotions, and challenges. Through counseling, individuals can:
- Understand and manage their feelings
- Cope better with treatment and lifestyle changes
- Regain a sense of control over their lives
When Should You Seek Counseling?
- You may benefit from counseling if you or your loved one:
- Feels overwhelmed, anxious, or low
- Is unable to cope with the diagnosis, treatment, or recovery
- Needs help making treatment-related decisions
- Is a caregiver struggling with stress, fatigue, or burnout
- Wants to explore spiritual or existential concerns
Our Approach
- Empathetic listening
- Culturally sensitive support
- Collaborative coping strategies
- Mindfulness and resilience building
Services We Offer
- Pre- & Post-Surgery Counseling
- Chemotherapy & Radiation Counseling
- Bone Marrow Transplant Counseling
- Procedure-related Counseling (e.g. Biopsy, PICC line, Genetic Testing)
- Pain and Palliative Counseling
- Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Counseling
- Bereavement & Grief Counseling
- Fear of Recurrence (Survivorship Counseling)
- Fertility and Sexual Health Counseling
- Family and Couples Therapy
- Group & Individual Sessions
- Tobacco Cessation Counseling
- Lifestyle Modification and Preventive Counseling
We also support hospital staff through sessions on stress management, empathy training, mindfulness, and professional behavior.
Education & Research
We train psychology interns (postgraduate level) from across the country. Interns go through a structured screening and are certified after completing assessments and case submissions.
Our department is also involved in cutting-edge psycho-oncology research, contributing to national and international journals.
CMEs, Workshops & Conferences
- Our department regularly conducts:
- CMEs on distress management and oncology communication
- Workshops for caregivers and healthcare staff
- National conferences and survivor meets
- Key past events include:
- Lymphoma Survivor Meets (2014, 2016)
- Breast Survivor Meets (2015, 2016)
- World Mental Health Day (2017)
- Chai for Cancer Campaign (2018)
Support Groups at RGCIRC
- We actively support and coordinate with:
- Lymphoma Support Group
- Cancer Sahyog – Indian Cancer Society
- Yes, to Life Volunteers – Cancer survivors providing peer support
Meetings are supervised by professionals to ensure quality and ethical support.
Our Message
Cancer affects more than the body—it challenges our emotions, behaviors, and spirit. We are here to walk with you through these challenges, helping you find strength, meaning, and peace along the way.
Meet Our Team
- Dr. Harsha Agarwal (Ph.D., MITBCCT, U.K.) – Head, Psycho-Oncology
- Mrs. Pankaj Verma – Psychologist (PGDCP, M.A.)
- Ms. Roshika – Psychologist (M.A. Clinical Psychology)
- Ms. Aayushi Khaneja – Psychologist (M.A.)
- Playroom Teacher – Supporting pediatric patients
Patient Testimonials
“Counseling helped me accept my diagnosis and face chemotherapy with hope. I’m grateful for the support I received at RGCIRC.” – A Breast Cancer Survivor
“After my husband’s diagnosis, I didn’t know how to be strong for him. The counseling sessions gave me the tools to cope with and support him better.” – A Caregiver
(Note: All testimonials are anonymized and based on real experiences.)
Digital Support and Tele-Counseling Services
To reach patients across regions and provide flexible care options, the Psycho-Oncology Department offers tele-counseling and online psychological support. This ensures emotional care remains consistent, especially for patients who are immuno-compromised or unable to travel.
Psychoeducation Materials and Resources
- We provide access to practical self-help materials to support patient empowerment, including:
- Booklets on coping with diagnosis and treatment
- Emotional tracking tools and journals
- Guided meditation and breathing audio sessions
- Informational videos and psychoeducational workshops
Emergency Mental Health Support Protocol
In the event of mental health emergencies, such as suicidal thoughts or panic attacks, our department coordinates closely with the Psychiatry team to ensure patients are evaluated and cared for urgently. A crisis protocol is in place to provide immediate support in a safe, confidential setting.
Multidisciplinary Integration
Our psychologists work hand-in-hand with departments like Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Palliative Care, Pediatrics, and Surgery to embed psychological support within the treatment continuum. This holistic approach ensures that mental and emotional health is considered at every step.
Research Highlights
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is counseling available for all patients? → Yes, all registered patients at RGCIRC can access psychological support.
- Can family members attend counseling sessions? → Absolutely. Caregiver and family counseling is a part of our support model.
- How often should I visit the counselor? → This depends on your needs. The psychologist will guide you on a suitable plan.
- Can I switch to online counseling if I move or am unwell? → Yes, tele-counseling is available based on prior scheduling.
Community Engagement and Awareness Initiatives
- The department is involved in community education and public health awareness programs including:
- Mental Health Awareness drives during World Mental Health Day
- College and school workshops on emotional resilience
- Cancer Survivor storytelling events
- Public campaigns like 'Chai for Cancer' to normalize emotional conversations around cancer
Services Offered
- Pre and post surgery counseling
- Radiation therapy counseling
- Chemotherapy counseling
- Bone Marrow Transplant counseling
- Any procedure (like Biopsy, FNAC, Pet Scan, Genetic Testing, Piccline Insertion, Port Insertion, etc) counseling
- Pain and Palliative Counseling
- Terminal Counseling
- Bereavement and Grief Counseling
- Fear of Cancer Recurrence (Survivor) counseling
- Compliance and adherence counseling
- Group and Individual counseling
- Counseling about fertility issues in cancer
- Family and Couples counseling/therapy
- Tobacco cessation counseling for cancer and non cancer patients
- Preventive and Life style change related counseling
- In addition to providing clinical and psycho social support to the patients and their caregivers, the department is also involved in taking regular session on Stress management, personal and professional behavior, empathy training, breaking the bad news, mindfulness including meditation for its Employees which includes Doctors, Nurses, Front Desk Executives, Patient Care Executives, Technicians and other staff at the institute.
“The aim of Psycho Oncology department is to provide psychological and emotional support to the patients and their caregivers to combat the Battle with cancer and to improve their Quality of Life”.
Our Aspirations
Counseling is an integral element of Oncology treatment. Diagnosis of Cancer is devastating for patients as well as for families. Patients have a whole plethora of queries in their minds pertaining to their diagnosis, treatment , follow-ups and survival, changes in their life, their life with and after cancer, their relationship with their spouse, children, work relationships, finances etc. Patients do speak to their doctors as well as Nurses, but someone who can understand each phase they are going through is a Psycho Oncologist/Psychologist/Counselors.
The department of Psycho Oncology at RGCIRC has a compact team, comprising of Psychologist (Psycho Oncologist) and counselors.
What Is Counseling?
Counseling is a process of one to one interaction between a therapist and the patient, where a therapist enables a person to talk about the issues or emotional and behavioral difficulties that are bothering them. Expressing difficult thoughts and feelings through the process of Counseling can help the patient begin to understand them and move towards a way of dealing with the changes in his/her life brought about by cancer.
A psychologist/counselor is trained personnel for active listening to the various facets of problems patient and their caregivers face on day-to-day basis and psychologist/counselor strives to fetch out solutions in a collective manner. In pediatric cases for instance, the family/caregiver needs counseling session more than the patient. A lot of it also influences the compliance to the treatment. At Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Psycho Oncology Department plays a key role in integrating patients with their primary team, caregiver and especially with themselves.
What Happens in a Counseling Session?
In a counseling session, a safe and confidential environment is presented wherein the patient or client can express difficult feelings that may be confusing or stressful to him. The act of focusing on uncomfortable emotions or experiences in a non-judgmental space can enable the patient to see things more clearly and encourages positive changes in the patient which can lead him to gain control over his life.
When to Seek Counseling?
It is normal to feel distressed with a diagnosis of cancer or living with it. However, it’s important to seek help when the distress is long lasting and affects ones routine life in various parameters like physical, emotional, spiritual, and so on. Seeking help is also important when these feelings affect your ability to cope with issues. However, you may find counseling helpful even if your level of distress is not severe. Even few counseling sessions will likely help you.
Role of a Counselor
- Helping the patient and caregiver in finding out more effective ways of coping with daily life
- Proving support and encouragement
- Identifying options leading to an improved quality of life
Outcomes of Counseling
The main aim of counseling is to empower the patients with mindfulness based approach and confidence to make their own choices and decision to explore ways to cope with their diagnosis, managing their emotional concerns and discuss ways to address and cope with any life style changes that might occur during the treatment process.
Services Offered
- Pre and post surgery counseling
- Radiation therapy counseling
- Chemotherapy counseling
- Bone Marrow Transplant counseling
- Any procedure (like Biopsy, FNAC, Pet Scan, Genetic Testing, Piccline Insertion, Port Insertion, etc) counseling
- Pain and Palliative Counseling
- Terminal Counseling
- Bereavement and Grief Counseling
- Fear of Cancer Recurrence (Survivor) counseling
- Compliance and adherence counseling
- Group and Individual counseling
- Counseling about fertility issues in cancer
- Family and Couples counseling/therapy
- Tobacco cessation counseling for cancer and non cancer patients
- Preventive and Life style change related counseling
- In addition to providing clinical and psycho social support to the patients and their caregivers, the department is also involved in taking regular session on Stress management, personal and professional behavior, empathy training, breaking the bad news, mindfulness including meditation for its Employees which includes Doctors, Nurses, Front Desk Executives, Patient Care Executives, Technicians and other staff at the institute.
Academic and Research Involvement
The department of Psycho Oncology at RGCIRC is also actively involved in training interns from across the country from the field of psychology. The basic requirement for interns is to have finished Masters in Psychology or perusing the same and should have through knowledge and understanding about the basic concepts of psychology. Candidates have to appear in a compressive screening and an entrance test to get enrolled for internships. After finishing internships the candidates have to also appear in an exam and have to submit few case studies to get Certificate of internship from the institute. The department certifies five interns on an average every year, but is not limited to this number. Further information on procedure for applying for internship shall be received from Human Recourses department of the institute.
The department is actively involved in scientifically studying the psychosocial aspect and impact of oncology and currently involved in various research projects as well. The research papers from the department find their place in some of the leading national and international journals.
CMES, Workshops and Conferences
The Department is highly pro active in conducting regular CMEs, workshops and conferences on various topics and themes. The department has organized CMEs on topics like Distress in Cancer patients and clinical staff, Stress and burnout among Nurses and Oncologists, Communication in Oncology, Stress Management Techniques and so on.
The department has also organized and coordinated some of the national and international conferences like Lymphoma Survival Meet 2014, Lymphoma Survival Meet 2016, Breast Survivors Meet 2015, Breast Survivors Meet 2016, World Mental Health Day 2017, Chai for Cancer on World Cancer Day 2018, and many more and is always committed to conduct more such events in future.
Cancer Support Groups
At RGCI&RC, the department provides a compressive team support to the support groups that are currently working at the institute. There are three diseases specific support groups in action at the institute namely Lymphoma support group, cancer survivor and caregivers support group of Indian Cancer Society namely “Cancer Sahyog” and last but not the least volunteers from Yes to Life NGO. The volunteers, who are mostly the winners of cancer battle, come every week to support the patients being diagnosed or getting treatment of cancer at the institute. The main aim of these support groups is to provide emotional and social support to these patients. These support groups meet patients in the supervisions of qualified psychologists or counselors to make sure the process goes professionally and ethically.
“The diagnosis of Cancer not only poses challenges on ones physical well being, but its implications are also on behavioral, emotional and spiritual parameters. Our goal is to help you cope with the challenges of cancer and keep your emotions intact during the treatment.”
Team of Psycho Oncology
1. Head Psycho Oncology – Dr.Harsha Agarwal (Ph.D, MITBCCT,U.K)
2. Psychologist 1 – Mrs. Pankaj Verma (PGDCP, M.A.)
3. Psychologist 2- (Vacancy open)
4. Psychologist 3 – Ms. Aayushi Khaneja (M.A.)
5. Play Room Teacher – Ms. Kajal Jaiswal (B.Sc, NTT)
ADVICE AND PRECAUTIONS FOR MANAGING STRESS BEFORE STARTING CHEMOTHERAPY
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