Mindful caring: using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy with caregivers of cancer survivors

J Psychosoc Oncol. 2015;33(1):66-84. doi: 10.1080/07347332.2014.977418.

Abstract

Caregivers of cancer survivors face many burdens that often require treatment by mental health professionals. One intervention, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, aims to help individuals change the ways in which they relate to their thoughts rather than changing their thoughts. In this manuscript, we discuss the use and adaption of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy with caregivers of cancer survivors as a way to decrease caregiver burden and increase caregiver quality of life. A session-by-session breakdown of how to tailor mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to caregivers of cancer survivors is provided.

Keywords: cancer; caregiving; mindfulness; mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Cost of Illness
  • Humans
  • Mindfulness*
  • Neoplasms / psychology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Quality of Life
  • Stress, Psychological / prevention & control*
  • Survivors / psychology