Psycho-Oncology and Psychological Support Programs

At Fox Chase Cancer Center, our Psychiatry Department provides dynamic general and consultation liaison psychiatry for our patients, families, and caregivers. Our psychiatry team specializes in alleviating the emotional effects of cancer, and offers services through our integrative care, stress management and fatigue programs.

In addition, our psychiatrists are some of the leading voices in the national conversation surrounding psycho-oncology issues, and actively participate in community activities, such as the Susan G. Komen Young Survivors’ Initiative, and many others.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call the Department of Psychiatry at 215-214-3940.

Integrative Care

The Integrative Care Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center offers evidence-based physical and psycho-spiritual healing practices. Our integrative care team provides yoga to promote relaxation, and can help manage the physical and emotional side effects of treatment.

Yoga.  In treating cancer, yoga has been proven to improve quality of life by alleviating some side effects of treatment, such as depression, insomnia, pain, fatigue and anxiety. Fox Chase offers a chair-based yoga class for cancer patients and their families and caregivers taught by a certified yoga instructor who specializes in a gentle yoga regimen specialized for cancer patients that accommodates the abilities and limitations of each participant. The class emphasizes the stress reduction aspects of yoga through breathing techniques, meditation, deep relaxation and mental imagery to help guide participants to a state of peaceful awareness. No previous yoga experience is required to take our class, and scholarships are available. To register for a yoga class, or to find out more information, contact the Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Department of Psychiatry at 215-214-1599.

Stress Management

A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. It can present new challenges and experiences for patients and their loved ones. Handling these ever-changing demands can greatly reduce quality of life.

Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Stress Management team is experienced in treating the psychological symptoms reported by cancer patients, which often include depression, anxiety, irritability, extreme fatigue, difficulty sleeping, impaired concentration, lack of interest, or decreased ability to feel joy, and substance abuse.

We provide personal assessment and culturally-sensitive, evidence-based treatments tailored to each individual that enables them to make healthier and more adaptive choices in their efforts to cope with the stress surrounding a cancer diagnosis.

Our stress management program offers patients and caregivers:

• Individual psychotherapy
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Relaxation techniques
• Group psychotherapy
• Medication management.

Fatigue Management

Fatigue, or feeling tired, is a common side effect of cancer treatments.  For many people, fatigue lessens and goes away when treatments are over, but for others, it lasts longer and may affect daily activities and concentration. The Psychiatry Department partners with our rehabilitation and occupational therapists to offer exercise and mindfulness, tailoreds specifically to alleviating fatigue. The program also includes advice on diet and lifestyle that can assist with improving fatigue.