Online Psychosocial Support for Oncology Patients: A Group Facilitation Manual
type: CreativeWork
description: A significant portion of the oncology population is seeking, yet not receiving, adequate psychological treatment. Therefore, the Internet has become an important resource for delivering services to those that may be limited by barriers that accompany traditional oncology support groups. While research has shown that online therapy is effective, the quality and efficacy of therapy is often unknown and/or sub-optimal and essential psychological care cancer patients deserve is compromised. The purpose of this project was to provide therapists and other mental health professionals with a structured, evidence-based guide to providing quality mental health care for cancer patients. First, a review of the literature focused on meta-analyses that targeted psychosocial interventions for cancer patients, online therapy, and what has been done thus far with online interventions specifically for the oncology population is presented. Key ingredients identified as superior in outcome measures and clinical effectiveness include interventions that are more interactive, last 12-weeks or longer, incorporate cognitive-behavioral, educational and existential aspects, are facilitated by psychologists with more clinical experience, and target cancer patients experiencing emotional distress. Next, a facilitation manual is outlined. Observations and clinical remarks found in this manual were written based off of this writer's one-year doctoral practicum experience as the primary facilitator for Health-Space.net., an online psychosocial support group for cancer patients and survivors that was created in accordance with the aforementioned relevant research premises. The manual was designed to outline how to create an online identity as a therapist, what to expect in an online environment, and how to manage first interactions with group members. Further, it explains twelve modules that are implemented into the group on a weekly basis; the content of the modules, as well as participant reactio…
abstract: A significant portion of the oncology population is seeking, yet not receiving, adequate psychological treatment. Therefore, the Internet has become an important resource for delivering services to those that may be limited by barriers that accompany traditional oncology support groups. While research has shown that online therapy is effective, the quality and efficacy of therapy is often unknown and/or sub-optimal and essential psychological care cancer patients deserve is compromised. The purpose of this project was to provide therapists and other mental health professionals with a structured, evidence-based guide to providing quality mental health care for cancer patients. First, a review of the literature focused on meta-analyses that targeted psychosocial interventions for cancer patients, online therapy, and what has been done thus far with online interventions specifically for the oncology population is presented. Key ingredients identified as superior in outcome measures and clinical effectiveness include interventions that are more interactive, last 12-weeks or longer, incorporate cognitive-behavioral, educational and existential aspects, are facilitated by psychologists with more clinical experience, and target cancer patients experiencing emotional distress. Next, a facilitation manual is outlined. Observations and clinical remarks found in this manual were written based off of this writer's one-year doctoral practicum experience as the primary facilitator for Health-Space.net., an online psychosocial support group for cancer patients and survivors that was created in accordance with the aforementioned relevant research premises. The manual was designed to outline how to create an online identity as a therapist, what to expect in an online environment, and how to manage first interactions with group members. Further, it explains twelve modules that are implemented into the group on a weekly basis; the content of the modules, as well as participant reactio…
author: Richards, Kristen Mallory
language: English
keywords: Psychology, Online Health Resources; Mental Health - Computer Network Resources; Cancer; Online Support; Group Processes; Social Netowrks, Oncology Patients, Online Psychosocial Support, Cancer - Treatment - Manuals, Cancer Patients - Mental Health, Psychological Distress, Online Psychosocial Resources
date published: 2013-09-01T07:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-24T02:52:15Z
provider: Loma Linda University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Loma Linda University