Cancer Counselling Service

Cancer can affect every part of your life and the lives of those around you. It can affect more than your physical health, but also your emotions, relationships, identity, plans, and your day-to-day life. 

Cancer Council ACT provides short-term counselling for people affected by cancer in the ACT or people travelling to the ACT for cancer treatment or cancer specialist care. Counselling is available to a person at any stage of their cancer experience, their families and carers. This service is offered FREE of charge thanks to the generosity of our donors and bequestors.

Our counsellors are here to listen, support, and walk alongside you. Our evidence-based therapies and strategies are adapted to the realities of life after a cancer diagnosis, and help you cope with overwhelming feelings, anxiety, and uncertainty about what comes next. You don’t have to carry these feelings on your own. 

Support is flexible - in person, over the phone, or online.  

You can start today. We’re here with you, every step of the way. 

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  • Free, professional and confidential – Delivered by qualified counsellors, experienced in cancer-related emotional care. Our counsellors are registered members of Australian Association of Social Worker (AASW) and Australian Counselling Association (ACA). 
  • Inclusive support – Available to anyone in the ACT or traveling to the ACT for cancer treatment and specialist care, including carers and family members. 
  • Flexible delivery – Sessions are available in person, by phone, or online. Couples and family sessions can be considered on request. Support is tailored to best meet your needs. 
  • Adults aged 18+ who live in the ACT or are travelling to the ACT for cancer treatment or cancer specialist care.
  • Individuals directly affected by cancer (from diagnosis, during treatment, and after treatment) who would like counselling support to navigate the emotional and practical impacts of a cancer diagnosis
  • Family members and carers seeking support to navigate the emotional and practical impacts of a cancer diagnosis.
  • We cannot respond to urgent requests. If you are experiencing a crisis, having thoughts of suicide, or wanting to harm yourself, it is best to contact your GP or Lifeline 13 11 14. You should dial 000 if you are at immediate risk. 

Cancer doesn’t just affect your body; it can touch every part of your life, your emotions, your relationships, your sense of self, and even your hopes for the future. That’s why our counselling service is designed to support the whole of you. 

Here are some of the ways we can help:

Emotional and psychological support – a safe space to talk, process feelings, and feel understood.

Relationship and family support – guidance for you and your loved ones as you face the challenges of cancer together. 

Managing cancer-related anxiety and depression – practical strategies to reduce distress and strengthen resilience. 

Grief and loss counselling – gentle support to help you navigate loss and adjust to life’s changes. 

Evidence-based interventions – through relaxation strategies, creative approaches, and psychoeducation. Using these strategies and building new skills can help manage symptoms like fatigue and pain management. These tools can help manage anxiety and worries such as fear of recurrence in survivorship. 

You choose how you’d like to connect with us - in person, by phone, or online.

We use a collaborative, integrative, and person-centred approach tailored to meet your support needs. 

Our work is shaped around your experience, your goals, and your pace. This approach means:

  • You decide what matters most right now 
  • We integrate therapy modalities and interventions to you and your unique experience. 
  • We work collaboratively with you to support all aspects of your emotional wellbeing, including your sense of identity, relationships, and quality of life. 

We can help equip you with practical tools to use straight away, such as breathing exercises before appointments, strategies for unexpected news days, tips to improve sleep, and ways to talk with family, friends, carers or your care team. 

The Cancer Counselling Service is delivered in a way that works for you - in person, by phone or online. 

Appointments are scheduled during typical business hours. Appointments are limited. 

It is important that you receive support in a way that works and feels right for you, which is why we offer a variety of options: 

  • Face-to-face at Cancer Council ACT office in Deakin 
  • Telephone call to your preferred phone number 
  • Secure video via MS Teams 

For more information or to book a session, please call: (02) 6257 9999 or email: cancer.information@actcancer.org