Psychotherapy
At Ottawa Cancer and Lymphatics Centre, psychotherapy offers more than just talk therapy — it’s a grounded, compassionate space to explore the emotional complexities of illness, healing, and life transitions. Whether you're navigating cancer, chronic pain, lymphedema, lipedema, caregiver burnout or other major life changes, we’re here to walk beside you.
Our approach is personalized, non-judgmental, and trauma-informed. We honour the full human experience — grief, fear, anger, change, growth, and everything in between. Here, your story is safe, your perspective is valued, and your care is always centred on what matters most to you.
What Is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a collaborative, evidence-based process that supports emotional wellness through dialogue, self-awareness, and skill-building. It can help you better understand your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, develop coping strategies, and create space for healing and change.
Our therapists are trained in a wide variety of therapeutic techniques including:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Narrative Therapy
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
- Compassionate Inquiry
- Somatic Approaches
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Each session is tailored to your evolving needs — whether you’re seeking calm in chaos, tools for change, or simply a space to be heard.
Psychotherapy for Cancer and Lymphedema
A cancer diagnosis, chronic illness, or long-term condition like lymphedema or lipedema can affect every layer of your life — physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. These changes are often invisible to others but deeply felt within.
Psychotherapy can support you through:
- Anxiety, panic, or overwhelm
- Depression and low mood
- Body image and intimacy concerns
- Coping with treatment side effects or changes in function
- Trauma or medical-related PTSD
- Fear of recurrence
- Grief, loss, or identity shifts
- End-of-life reflection or preparation
- Navigating the emotional toll of chronic pain or invisible illness
We also support individuals experiencing pelvic floor changes, sexual health impacts, or emotional recovery from gender-affirming, gynecological, or urogenital surgeries.
No matter where you are in your health journey — diagnosis, treatment, recovery, survivorship, or caregiving — psychotherapy can help you feel more grounded, connected, and empowered.
Walk & Talk Therapy
In addition to in-person and virtual sessions, we are proud to offer walk & talk therapy — a movement-based option that combines the benefits of psychotherapy with the soothing effects of nature and gentle movement.
It’s a flexible, accessible option that supports both mental and physical wellness, and can be particularly helpful when processing grief, chronic illness, or life transitions. If the traditional clinical space does not feel like the right fit for you, then walk and talk therapy may be a great option.
Your Psychotherapy Journey: What to Expect
We recommend connecting with a therapist anytime you notice changes in your mental or emotional wellbeing — or proactively following a major diagnosis or life event. You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from care.
Your therapist will:
- Take time to understand your history, support systems, and personal goals
- Explore the impact of illness or treatment on your daily life and mental health
- Collaborate with you to create a personalized, values-based care plan
- Offer support around life transitions, relationships, identity, and resilience
- Integrate somatic, mindfulness, or expressive techniques if helpful to you
Our approach is holistic and inclusive — we support people of all genders, backgrounds, and identities. Whether you’re navigating stress, rebuilding relationships, or reclaiming your sense of self, we’re here to help you move forward with compassion and clarity.
Your therapist will work as a collaborative guide — not to “fix” you, but to walk with you.
In-person, virtual, and walk & talk sessions are available.
Psychotherapy sessions are often covered by extended health benefits plans.
