Persons affected by cancer face emotional challenges, particularly the fear of cancer recurrence. This fear impacts mental health and quality of life. The Cognitive Processing Model is presented as a conceptual framework for understanding fear of cancer recurrence, discussing its origins, manifestations, and effects on patients and their loved ones. With this conceptualization in mind, various evidence-based treatment strategies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), meaning-centered psychotherapy (MCPT), and other interventions will be discussed and applied to the treatment of patients endorsing fear of cancer recurrence and looking to improve their overall well-being in the context of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
CE Learning Objectives
Following this presentation, participants will be able to:
- 1. Define fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and explain the impact it can have on overall psychological well-being.
- 2. Describe the key components of the Cognitive Processing Model of Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR).
- 3. Identify evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions for treating FCR.
- 4. Adapt and apply cognitive restructuring to persons endorsing FCR as a presenting concern in psychotherapy.
Suggested Reading
Butow, P., Sharpe, L., Thewes, B., Turner, J., Gilchrist, J., & Beith, J. (2018). Fear of Cancer Recurrence: A Practical Guide for Clinicians. Oncology (Williston Park, N.Y.), 32(1), 32–38.
Fardell, J. E., Thewes, B., Turner, J., Gilchrist, J., Sharpe, L., Smith, A., Girgis, A., & Butow, P. (2016). Fear of cancer recurrence: a theoretical review and novel cognitive processing formulation. Journal of Cancer Survivorship: Research and Practice, 10(4), 663–673. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-015-0512-5.
Target Audience
This presentation is intended for licensed mental health professionals and advanced graduate student trainees seeking licensure. The instructional level of this presentation is INTERMEDIATE.
Presenter
Kennedy Wong, Psy.D. is a Staff Psychologist at the Center for Cognitive Therapy in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Dr. Wong received her B.A. in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and her Psy.D. in clinical psychology at La Salle University. She completed her predoctoral internship at Christiana Care Health System’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, providing outpatient psychotherapy and inpatient consultation services for cancer patients and their loved ones. During that time, Dr. Wong published her dissertation, “A Scoping Review of Psychosocial Interventions Promoting Posttraumatic Growth in Oncology,” in the Journal for Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice (JPORP). She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for CBT in Media, PA, and stayed on for 2 years as a licensed clinical psychologist and clinical supervisor prior to transitioning to her current role at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Wong currently specializes in providing evidence-based treatments (i.e., CBT, ERP, CPT, MCPT) for adults coping with PTSD, OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety, low self-esteem, and the adjustment to cancer diagnosis/treatment/survivorship.
Continuing Education
- Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
- This program provides ONE-AND-A-HALF (1.5) CE credits
- Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association is also approved by the NY State Education Department to offer psychology continuing education
- PBTA is also an authorized provider of CE credits for Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Clinical Social Workers licensed in the state of Pennsylvania. Non-Psychologist Licensees outside of PA & practitioners outside of the USA please confirm eligibility with your specific licensing board.
- Full attendance with video display is required to obtain CE credit for this program. APA guidelines do not permit PBTA to issue partial CE credits. No refunds are provided for CE programs. No exceptions allowed.
- All events are Eastern Time Zone
- Contact PBTAcontinuingeducation@philabta.org if you need any learning accommodations no later than one week before event.
