Posted on: 3 January 2023
Dr Sian Williams, who works at CNWL’s Centre for Anxiety, Stress and Trauma (CAST), has had her Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (DPsych) research on cancer, self-compassion and mindfulness published by Wiley's 'Cancer Reports' (on 31 December 2022). Her co-authors were Dr Seraphine Clarke and Dr Trudi Edginton
'Cancer and its treatments do not just impact physical health and everyday functioning, they have the potential to significantly affect mental health and psychological well-being too, provoking feelings of anxiety, depression, and distress which can last long after treatment is over. This exploratory study examines negative, ruminative thinking and fears of self-compassion in those with cancer pre- and post- a Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI)'.
'Limitations notwithstanding, this study enhances existing research and provides new insights into how MBIs can help cancer patients deal with negative adjustment to the disease, rumination, and fears of self-compassion'.
... “A review into MBIs suggests they offer promise across the cancer population and the authors urge further qualitative research into different styles and delivery of mindfulness. Such qualitative studies could bolster these findings by exploring individuals' experience and understanding of complex concepts such as compassion and rumination and examining participants' meaning of the process and mechanisms of change.”