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The importance of spiritual well-being and the role of "meaning" in moderating depression, hopelessness and desire for death in terminally-ill cancer and AIDS patients has been well-supported by research, and has led many palliative clinicians to focus on the development of non-pharmacologic interventions that can help their patients address these issues. Individual Meaning-Centered Group Psychotherapy (IMCP), an intervention developed and rigorously tested by the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, is a seven-week program based around the work of Viktor Frankl, and which utilizes a mixture of didactics, discussion and experiential exercises that focus around particular themes related to meaning and advanced cancer. Patients are assigned readings and homework that are specific to each session's theme and which are utilized in each session. While the focus of each session is on issues of meaning and purpose in life in the face of advanced cancer and a limited prognosis, elements of support and expression of emotion are inevitable in the context of each group session. Less

This companion guide for clinicians working with oncology patients outlines clinical management of depression, demoralization and anxiety in a pragmatic format for use in everyday practice. The specific aim is to describe treatments that can be utilized by cancer clinicians and by mental health professionals training in psycho-oncology. The guide is not intended to replace national clinical guidelines and policies but gives a more generic international overview of the important factors and elements that need to be considered when dealing with clinical anxiety and depression in cancer patients at all points on the treatment trajectory. The guide covers assessment methods for clinical anxiety, demoralization and depression, psychopharmacological and psychological treatment methods, along with information on dealing with psychiatric emergencies and self-harm issues. The guide does not offer a comprehensive description of psychotherapy techniques: these can be found in the IPOS Handbook of Psychotherapy in Cancer Care. Policies, service issues, ethical, confidentiality, and communication issues are also covered. The guide is intended as a brief pocketbook manual that can be used for quick reference.Less

Originally published by Oxford in 1998, Psycho-Oncology was the first comprehensive text in the field and remains the gold standard today. Edited by a team of leading experts in psycho-oncology, spearheaded by Dr. Jimmie C. Holland, the founder of the field, the text reflects the interdisciplinary nature and global reach of this growing field. Thoroughly updated and developed in collaboration with the American Psychosocial Society and the International Psycho-oncology Society, this new edition is a current, comprehensive reference for psychiatrists, psychologists, oncologists, hospice workers, and social workers seeking to understand and manage the psychological issues involved in the care of persons with cancer and the psychological, social, and behavioral factors that contribute to cancer risk and survival. New to this edition are chapters on gender-based and geriatric issues and expanded coverage of underserved populations, community based programs, and caregiver training and education.Less