CANCER WELLBEING CENTRE
Cope Well With Cancer
What is the Cancer Wellbeing Centre?
The Cancer Wellbeing Centre (CWC) is an initiative of Lilley Place and provides you and your loved ones with warm and exceptional support to cope with the challenges of cancer and create a balanced life. Our CWC team are specially trained in delivering psychological interventions to people affected by cancer – including family and loved ones. We provide psychology in Brisbane’s Western suburbs via face to face appointments at our Indooroopilly clinic, Telehealth appointments, and can also provide mobile and outreach services throughout South-East Queensland.
We provide evidence-based psychology interventions designed to help you manage stress, feel less depressed and anxious, better understand and support your loved ones, maximise your emotional wellbeing and to find meaning and purpose. We offer individual, family, couples and group services.
What values can I expect from the Cancer Wellbeing Centre?
Understanding
A diagnosis of cancer can come as a real shock – and in the midst of adjusting to this news you are often faced with having to make difficult treatment and lifestyle decisions. Treatment effects can pose additional life challenges, impacting your work, relationships and family life. After finalising medical treatment you may find yourself feeling isolated, just as you are trying to work out how to move forward with your life. Our CWC teams helps people cope with the challenges of cancer and will work with you to provide respect, support and compassionate care when you need it most.
Evidence-based
Feelings of trauma, lingering distress, depression and anxiety can persist throughout a person’s cancer journey and beyond. Family and loved ones can also feel emotional effects that impact their quality of life. Psychological interventions have been shown to help people feel less distressed and experience greater emotional wellbeing. We offer a range of evidence-based and individually tailored services. For further details, please see ‘Our Services’ tab.
Responsive
We understand that sometimes appointments may be needed urgently. We will work with you to arrange the best and most time-sensitive care possible for your unique situation.
Collaborative
Utilising our professional network, we work together with medical and allied health teams to maximise your care. We can facilitate referrals to link our clients with required services, such as dieticians, occupational therapists and exercise physiologists.
THERAPY OPTIONS
Who can come to CWC?
CWC is an initiative designed to provide specialised assistance to anyone impacted by cancer. This includes those living with cancer, their family and loved ones, as well as people bereaved by cancer. If you have any questions as to whether this is the right service for you, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for further information and support.
Can I still attend if I am immuno-suppressed?
CWC understands the unique challenges and impacts of cancer on the lives of our clients and recognise that health can be a barrier to accessing our services. While we make every attempt to maintain a clean and sanitary clinic environment, we do have a high volume of clients through our door each day. If you have any concerns about immuno-suppression, please contact us to discuss the possibility of extended hours, Telehealth or home visits.
Can I get a Medicare rebate for my sessions?
The Medicare Better Access Scheme provides rebates for up to 10 psychology sessions per calendar year. Clients wishing to visit CWC under this program will need to make a longer appointment with their GP before their first visit, to assess their eligibility for a Mental Health Care Plan. Alternatively, psychiatrists and paediatricians can provide referrals under Better Access without creating a Mental Health Care Plan.
What makes CWC Psychologists different?
Our CWC team are in a position to deliver highly specialised psycho-oncology interventions. All CWC practitioners have undergone extensive training and are experienced in therapeutic care tailored to those impacted by cancer. We have strong professional networks with both medical and community-based cancer services, and provide evidence-based therapy aligned with the latest scientific research.
Do I need a referral to see a CWC psychologist?
You do not need a referral to see one of the psychologists at CWC, and can call or email us to make an initial private appointment at any time. However, if you are wishing to access a medicare rebate for your treatment, a referral will need to be in place at the time of your appointments for you to be eligible.
Can my sessions be covered by private health?
Private health funds can cover a portion of initial psychology assessments and subsequent consultations. The amount your fund contributes will vary depending on your fund and level of cover, and can be assessed on the spot through our on-site payment systems. Private health rebates are not applicable if you have already claimed a Medicare rebate for the session.
Are the sessions confidential?
Your sessions with CWC psychologists remain completely confidential unless you give us written permission to share your information with another party; we are legally subpoenaed; or we are concerned about the safety of yourself or others. If you are coming under a medicare referral, we are required to report back to your referring health practitioner at certain intervals.
Resources
Adjusting to the shock of a cancer diagnosis
By Samantha Clutton
Exercise During Cancer Treatment
Support
Cancer Council Queensland
Support offered by the Cancer Council ranges from financial support, peer support, relaxation groups and counselling over the telephone with a nurse counsellor or psychologist. There is no cost for any of these services. Contact 13 11 20 to speak to a member of the team.
Wesley Choices Programme
Provides cancer and rehabilitation advice, support groups, complementary therapies and post-surgery exercise classes for people with any type of cancer. You do not have to be a patient of the Wesley to access services and can drop in at any time or call 1800 227 271.
Canteen
Canteen is for young people aged 12-25 who are dealing with their own or a close family member’s cancer. They provide free cancer information and resources, online peer support, counselling (via online chat or over the phone) and information about local specialist services. To find out more you can call 1800 835 932.
Our CWC Team
Samantha Clutton
Clinical Psychologist
Samantha is a warm and experienced clinician and is committed to working collaboratively with individuals and couples to help them to cope the best they can.
Tracey Gardener
General Psychologist
Tracey has over 15 years of experience working in psycho-oncology, providing psychological support to individuals, couples, and families impacted by cancer.
Sandy Hutchinson
Clinical Psychologist
Sandy is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of her clients, providing evidence-based compassionate care to reduce distress and promote well-being, growth and resilience.
Kate Macmorran
General Psychologist (Health)
Kate is a Health Psychologist and is passionate about working at the intersection of physical and psychological health to enrich the lives of individuals and couples with illness-related challenges.
Tiah Dowell
Clinical Psychologist
Tiah provides a warm and accepting space for her clients. It is important to her that each person feels heard, understood, and valued.
We are here to support individuals, couples and families cope better with cancer.
Please contact us on our dedicated Cancer Wellbeing Centre mobile with any questions or to make an appointment.
0490 742 882
[email protected]