“In Northern Ireland there is a ‘lets just get on with it’ attitude among people affected by cancer, but there is an alternative. Counselling made a really positive change to my life and I know it will do the same for others.”- Dorothy Crory, Counselling service user.

Action Cancer are doubling its number of
counsellors and more than tripling the number of hours available for counselling patients and
their families.

Counselling sessions take place in a comfortable, wheel-chair accessible environment and all calls are treated with discretion, taking into consideration the client's unique

Dorothy Crory joins Action Cancer counsellor Mary Kate Kelly to promote the charity's extended counselling service

personal needs. Appointments can be made by phoning Action Cancer House on
028 9080 3344.

From the 1st of September 2005 Action Cancer will add two new counsellors to their established therapeutic support team. The hours available for counselling will increase from 24 to almost 80 per week and weekend and evening appointments will be available. Clients who can use the service are:

· People suffering from cancer
· Family members
· Friends
· Carers

We also offer a confidential Listening Ear Service for anyone affected by cancer.
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Mary Kate Kelly, one of Action Cancer’s counsellors says: “The emotions experienced by cancer patients, and those close to them, can be very frightening and difficult to deal with. Many people still try to cope by bottling these feelings up inside and often this can affect a person's ability to cope during this already difficult time.”

“Talking to a professional can actually allow for stress to be shared confidentially outside of the family circle. This can lessen the isolation and fear many people experience and it can also improve their coping skills.”

Our counsellors are trained and experienced professionals who are all accredited (or working towards accreditation) with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

From L to R: Marian McNabb, service user, Mary Kate Kelly, Action Cancer Counsellor, Geraldine Kerr, Head of Professional Services and Dorothy Crory, service user.

Much of the discussion is likely to focus on your experience of cancer, directly or indirectly, and how it is affecting your life.

There may be things you don't understand, practical concerns or worries about the future.

There are no right or wrong topics to bring to counselling. If it's important enough to be on your mind, it's important enough for us to help.

For further enquiries, information or to book an appointment call in person to Action Cancer House, 1 Marlborough Park, Belfast, BT9 6XS, or contact us on:

Tel: 028 9080 3344
E-mail: info@actioncancer.org