Colette McBride is an accredited counsellor with the BACP and has a special interest in working with individuals diagnosed with cancer and their families/friends. Her background was primarily in cancer care having worked as a nurse and graduating to Ward Sister, for 14 years within an in-patient unit.

Her work with patients/clients highlighted her awareness around working with individuals using a holistic approach to ensure client autonomy in terms of choices of treatments; orthodox, alternative and complementary. She is aware when someone receives a cancer diagnosis how terrifying this can be and how quickly one is asked to consider decisions around surgery, treatments, etc and how powerless individuals can feel at this time.

Counselling can offer the opportunity to breathe, take the time required and regain a sense of control. This supportive therapeutic relationship addresses the psychological aspect to a Cancer diagnosis, alongside whatever choices are made around treatments. Clients are then able to take charge and explore in the safety of a confidential space the options they have.

Colette McBride is one of a group of individual cancer counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK who have been specially selected by Yes to Life on the basis of their suitability. All of this group are fully qualified and insured and have a minimum of 2 years experience of working with and supporting cancer patients and their relatives. When choosing a therapist, apart from confidence in their experience, it is always important to check that you feel comfortable with them. For this reason, it is a good idea to have an initial session before making your decision.

Nutrition, Breathing, Relaxation, Visualisation, Stress management