Online Mental Health Support for People with Cancer

Online counseling or therapy is a popular option for mental health support. For people with cancer, it can be particularly helpful during and after treatment.

In-person and online therapy can have similar benefits, but are accessed differently. Through online therapy, people with cancer can receive counseling at home. This can ease the stress of getting to in-person appointments. It also helps limit the physical toll of traveling to and from appointments.

“Receiving in-person therapy during cancer treatment can be challenging due to the range of barriers that many patients face. Online therapy allows patients to access essential mental health support without having to face so many barriers,” said Cristiane Decat Bergerot, PhD, an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) expert and head of Supportive Care at Oncoclínicas&Co.

Why mental health support matters for people with cancer

People with cancer are more likely to suffer from mental health conditions. They are more likely to experience anxiety. depression, distress, and loneliness. 

“Research shows that these mental health challenges are common among cancer patients,” said Dr. Bergerot. “But the good news is that early support, like therapy, counseling, or sometimes medication, can make a real difference. Addressing mental health can boost quality of life and help you stay strong, both physically and mentally, throughout your treatment journey.”

If you recognize feelings of anxiety, depression, distress, or other concerning symptoms, tell your doctor.

Cancer makes getting mental health care harder

For people with cancer, accessing in-person therapy while also keeping up with cancer treatment can be difficult. Common challenges include:

• Physical limitations. Side effects from treatment can make it difficult to attend in-person sessions. For example, fatigue and nausea or vomiting can make it harder to travel. Often, people with cancer also have weakened immune systems. So, they might prefer virtual visits and avoid in-person appointments to keep from getting sick, especially during cold and flu season.
• Time. People with cancer often have busy treatment schedules. They might also be balancing the demands of their family and work lives.
• Financial constraints. In-person therapy can be expensive. It might not always be covered by insurance.
• Embarrassment. Stigma around mental health exists in some communities. Because of this, some people might be embarrassed to seek in-person mental health care.

The benefits of online therapy for people with cancer

Online therapy eases many of the barriers to getting mental health support during cancer treatment. The key benefit of online therapy is convenience. Online therapy reduces the amount of time and energy required to attend a session. It often allows more flexible appointment scheduling, too.

Online mental health therapy can be especially helpful for people who:

• Have a weakened immune system
• Are struggling with treatment side effects
• Live in rural or underserved areas, and those who don’t have reliable transportation. For these people, in-person therapy may not be an option.

Many mental health therapy services, whether in-person or online, are covered by insurance. However, even if online therapy is not covered, it often costs less than in-person counseling. Ask your insurance provider if your plan covers online therapy. Check to see if there will be any out-of-pocket costs for the virtual visits.

Finally, through online therapy, you can receive mental health care in the privacy of your home. This can help many people feel more comfortable when talking with a therapist.

Online cancer counseling: What to expect

During an online mental health therapy session, you might talk with your therapist on a video call. For example, you might use Zoom or FaceTime. Or, you might meet with them through a web-based platform. You might also follow self-paced sessions that are guided by your therapist. Your sessions will focus on addressing mental health challenges you are facing and developing techniques to help improve them.

Before you sign up for online therapy, be sure that you:

• Have the equipment needed, such as a secure internet connection, wi-fi, and a computer, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone
• Are comfortable using the technology or have someone to help you figure it out
• Have access to a private area where you can feel comfortable talking out loud during your virtual appointment

How to choose an online therapist

The first step is finding a counselor or therapist. Remember that your health care team is there to help. Some questions to ask them include:

• Would you recommend online therapy for me?
• Are there specific online therapy programs or platforms you recommend?
• What will be the cost of online therapy? Will my insurance cover it?
• What are the long-term benefits of online therapy?

When searching for a therapist online, it’s important to make sure they are:

• Licensed and credentialed
• Trained in using evidence-based treatments, such as internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT)
• Experienced in treating cancer-related mental health issues
• Covered by your insurance. Check to see if there will be out-of-pocket costs
• Using a secure online platform for your sessions

If you are unsure whether the therapist meets these standards, ask your health care team. They can also provide a referral to a different online therapist if needed.

Dr. Bergerot is a member of ASCO’s Patient Information Editorial Board.