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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Caregivers of Cancer Survivors

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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

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Abstract

The use of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is vast, as illustrated throughout this book. The use of MBCT and its related therapies has extended into medical settings, which is appropriate as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), from which MBCT was based, originated in a medical setting [1, 2]. However, a caregiving population has not been explicitly highlighted in MBCT literature. Existing on the periphery of formalized medical care, informal caregivers experience significant burden in providing care for others (e.g., family and friends). We believe that informal caregivers, specifically those of cancer survivors, would greatly benefit from MBCT treatment as a way to relieve burden and to transition into a “being mode” while providing care. The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the application of MBCT for caregivers of cancer survivors. In this chapter, we detail the rationale for using MBCT with caregivers of cancer survivors, highlighting how MBCT could meet the needs of caregivers of cancer survivors, and how to adapt the current MBCT format [3] to a group of those providing care for cancer survivors. Recommendations based on various clinical concerns, questions for reflection, and resources are also included at the conclusion of this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Applied Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Antioch University, 2326 Sixth Ave., Seattle, WA, 98121, USA

    Andrew W. Wood Ph.D.

  2. College of Health and Human Science, School of Education Counseling and Career Development, Colorado State University, 1588 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1588, USA

    Jessica Gonzalez Ph.D.

  3. Child, Family and Community Sciences, College of Education, University of Central Florida, 12494 University Boulevard, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA

    Sejal M. Barden Ph.D.

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  1. Andrew W. Wood Ph.D.
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  2. Jessica Gonzalez Ph.D.
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  3. Sejal M. Barden Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Andrew W. Wood Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. The UCSF Dep.Cent.,Langley Porter Psy.In, University of California, San Franc, San Francisco, California, USA

    Stuart J. Eisendrath

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Wood, A.W., Gonzalez, J., Barden, S.M. (2016). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Caregivers of Cancer Survivors. In: Eisendrath, S. (eds) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29866-5_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29866-5_18

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