Woman with breast cancer often may benefit from some extra emotional support. Typical times of need include when you are first diagnosed, when you have finished your cancer  treatment, or if you experience a recurrence of your cancer. It is normal to feel shock, anxiety, or sadness in reaction to breast cancer. Even if you have a supportive network of family and friends, you may need a place to discuss your feelings. Counseling can be especially helpful when breast cancer disrupts your relationships, sex life, or plans for childbearing. It can be comforting to hear another woman's story, and feel less alone. If you experience depression or anxiety, you may improve more rapidly with the help of brief counseling or medication.  We hope that you will read through this list of our individual and group support services, and take advantage of any that could be useful to you and your family.

Breast Cancer Support Group
Rene Barrat-Gordon, LISW   216/444-2260

Ongoing monthly drop-in group to provide mutual support for breast cancer survivors. This group does not include family members. There is no charge.
Place: Cancer Center
Room:  T1-20 (until the new Cancer Center opens in Aug--call Rene after that)
Day and Time: third Monday of each month, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Social Work Counseling

Angela Clay, LISW or Cheryl Gillespie, LISW,  Breast Center 

Call the Social Work Department 216/444-6552.

Rene Barrat-Gordon, LISW 

Hematology/Oncology
216/444-2260

Nancy Fenner, LISW
Radiation Oncology
216/444-6888

This is individualized counseling to help with the day to day problems encountered during treatment. There is no charge, but an appointment is necessary.

Individual Psychotherapy

Referrals to the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology are available to evaluate and treat depression, strong anxiety, or other emotional problems that may require medication or intensive psychiatric treatment. Please discuss this with your medical team or call 216/444-5812.

Ask your social worker about other local support services.

Look Good, Feel Better  Learn how to look and feel better with demonstrations and samples of make-up, wigs, scarves, etc.).
For programs at the Cleveland Clinic, call the Cancer Center Information Program 216/444-7923

The Gathering Place (group for young women with breast cancer and several other programs for cancer patients/survivors) Provides many programs for cancer patients.  3355 Richmond Rd., 

Suite 180,  Beachwood OH, 216/595-9546

This information is for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. It has not been designed to replace a physician's independent judgment about the appropriateness or risks of a procedure for a given patient.

For more information about the Cleveland Clinic Breast Center, click here:

For more information about the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center. click here: 

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Updated: Sept. 12, 2000