Macmillan Cancer and Palliative Care Psychology Service

We are a team of Clinical Psychologists and Macmillan Family Therapists who provide support to adult patients, their families or carers who are experiencing psychological problems relating to any aspect of the diagnosis or treatment of cancer, or in palliative care who have a GP in South and West Hertfordshire, East and North Hertfordshire and West Essex. 

Psychological treatments are a non-medical approach to reducing psychological distress and revolve around the use of talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy or family therapy. These help people explore their thoughts and feelings and the effect on their mood.

A Clinical Psychologist or Macmillan Family Therapist can tailor treatments to a person's concerns and goals to help with the following difficulties:

• coping with adjustment, change, uncertainty or loss
• uncertainties relating to treatment
• feelings of depression, anxiety or anger
• low self-esteem and poor body image
• coping with persistent pain, fatigue and other side effects.
• difficulty sleeping
• worries about the future and fear of death
• difficulties in relationships with family, friends or healthcare professionals
• coming to terms with death or the terminal stage of illness.

All referrals will come through Cancer and Palliative Care service, e.g your clinical nurse specialists (CNS) or or oncologist. Or from GP’s in our areas if your medical care is not under our CNS’s.

If you are already known to our team, you can self refer.

The team can be contacted by telephone, 01279 967207, Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00, excluding bank holidays.

The team is open to patients, their families or carers who are experiencing psychological problems relating to any aspect of the diagnosis or treatment of cancer, or in palliative care.