Psycho-Oncology Services, Support and Counseling

Many patients describe a cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship as a journey — sometimes one that comes with confusing maps and directions or without signposts and guidebooks. If you or a loved one need support, you have many options here.

Our group of psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors provide compassionate support and symptom management for the challenges that often come with a cancer diagnosis. If you or your loved one is interested in speaking with a member of our counseling team, please call (919) 966-3494 to make an appointment.

Some of the services we offer include:

Treatment of depression, anxiety, mental changes, sleep problems and other symptoms caused by cancer and its treatment
Help coping with cancer
Individual, couples, family and/or group therapy
Support for children with cancer and healthy children whose parents have cancer

UNC and CCSP Affiliated Support Groups

A complete list of support groups, classes and workshops is available on the Cancer Support Calendar. See our Resources for other local area support programs, and peer support programs- support services that connects anyone touched by any type of cancer with another person whose experiences with cancer are similar.

Keeping COVID-19 precautions in mind, most services and groups are still being offered and are online. Please contact the program coordinator if interested in participating.

Breast Cancer Support for Young Women

When: 1st Tuesday of the month, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Coco Bean Coffee Shop, Chapel Hill
About: For women ages 18-45 with breast cancer.
Contact: Michelle Manning, mmanning@unc.edu

Caregiver Conversations

When: Tuesdays, 2 – 3 p.m.
Where: Patient & Family Resource Center, Lobby
About: Planned topics and social time for caregivers.
More caregiver resources online at Caregivers.

Caregiver Dinners

When: Thursdays, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Where: BMT Unit & 4 Oncology
About: For caregivers of patients on those units.

Circle of Support

When: 2nd Monday of the Month, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Where: SECU Jim and Betsy Bryan Hospice Home
About: For those who have lost a loved one. Support from hospice staff and volunteers.
Contact: Ann Ritter, (984) 215-2650, ann.ritter@unchealth.unc.edu

Friday Family Coffee

When: Fridays, 9 – 11 p.m.
Where: Patient & Family Resource Center, Lobby
About: Weekly breakfast for patients and caregivers.

Grief Support

When: Meets on the 2^nd Thursday of each month, 2:30 – 4 p.m.
Where: All sessions are virtual
About: Join us for a hybrid of psychoeducation and group discussion/peer support for folks who have lost a loved one to cancer.
Contact: Please contact Justin Yopp at justin_yopp@med.unc.edu or (984) 974-8113 for more information or to make a referral.

iCANcer: Teen & Parent Support Group

When: Varies, contact for details
Where: Ronald McDonald House, Chapel Hill and outings in the community
About: For patients of UNC Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology and their siblings ages 12 and up. Parents meet separately.
Contact: Meghan Fox, meghan.fox@unchealth.unc.edu

Triangle Bladder Cancer Support

When: 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: SECU Family House, Chapel Hill
About: For patients and caregivers affected by bladder cancer.
Contact: Ritchie Briggs, (919) 493-0551

Young Adult Meet Up

Sponsored by the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Support Program in partnership with Duke Cancer Institute

When: 2nd Tuesday of the month, 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: Namu Restaurant, 5420 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC 27707, Durham
About: For young adults in cancer treatment and their friends, partners and family. This is NOT a support group, but rather just a cool space to hang out with some folks who have experienced cancer treatment No need to RSVP, just show up!
Contact: Lauren Lux, lauren_lux@med.edu.edu

Widowed Parent Support Groups

Mother’s Group

When: 1st Tuesday of every month, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: SECU Family House, 123 Old Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill 27517
About: There is no cost for attending. You and your family do not have to be patients at UNC or affiliated with UNC in any way. You are welcome to bring your children! They will be supervised in a separate room and given dinner, drinks and activities. Dinner will also be provided for you.
Registration and information: Diane Bensley, (984) 974-2548, diane.bensley@unchealth.unc.edu

Father’s Group

When: 3rd Tuesday of every month, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: SECU Family House, 123 Old Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill 27517
About: There is no cost for attending. You and your family do not have to be patients at UNC or affiliated with UNC in any way. You are welcome to bring your children! They will be supervised in a separate room and given dinner, drinks, and activities. Dinner will also be provided for you.
Registration and information: Justin Yopp, (984) 974-8113, justin_yopp@med.unc.edu

Writing for Resilience

When: Every Tuesday from 12 – 1 p.m.
Where: Patient and Family Resource Center, which is located on the ground floor of UNC Cancer Hospital.
About: A writing group open to all in the hospital and community. Come and enjoy a respite from the demands of your day–to reflect and write. No writing experience necessary! Please enter in silence and begin writing in response to the opening prompt on the whiteboard, or about anything else on your mind. Facilitated by Carol Henderson, writer and workshop leader; Heidi Gessner, UNC Hospitals Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator; and Joy Javits, founder of DooR to DooR.
Contact: Heidi Gessner, heidi.gessner@unchealth.unc.edu

Psycho-Oncology Services Director

Eliza "Leeza" Park

MD
Assistant Professor
UNC-Chapel Hill

Psycho-Oncology Services Staff

Pamela Durham

MS
Counselor, Comprehensive Cancer Support Program