Gareth Vaughan Counselling

Specialist support

Cancer counselling: support for patients, survivors and families in West Wales and online

A cancer diagnosis changes everything. The fear, uncertainty, and emotional weight it brings can feel impossible to carry, and yet many people feel they have to hold it together for those around them, or that others cannot fully understand what they are going through.

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I am Gareth Vaughan, a BACP Accredited Counsellor and Psychotherapist based in New Quay, Ceredigion, West Wales. I have worked in a hospital-based cancer support team and I bring specialist knowledge and genuine experience to this work. I offer cancer counselling in person in West Wales and online via Microsoft Teams to clients across the UK.

Who is cancer counselling for?

Cancer counselling is for anyone whose life has been touched by cancer, not only those with a diagnosis. I work with:

  • People who have just received a cancer diagnosis and are navigating shock, fear, and uncertainty
  • Those currently in treatment, managing the emotional impact of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery
  • Cancer survivors dealing with life after treatment, including fear of recurrence and changed identity
  • Family members and carers supporting a loved one with cancer
  • People who have been bereaved following a cancer death
  • Those facing a terminal prognosis and wishing to use counselling to prepare, process, or find meaning

What might we work on?

Cancer brings a particular set of emotional challenges that general counselling may not always be equipped to address. My background in oncology support means I understand the specific language, processes, and psychological terrain of a cancer experience. In our sessions, we might explore:

  • Fear of recurrence and the ongoing uncertainty of life after cancer
  • Changes to your sense of identity, body image, and what your future looks like
  • The relational impact of cancer, on partnerships, family dynamics, and friendships
  • Grief, for the life you had, the plans you made, or the person you were before diagnosis
  • Existential questions that a serious illness often brings to the surface
  • Fatigue, depression, and anxiety during or after treatment
A green tree growing from a rock in calm water, symbolising resilience and hope

Frequently asked questions, cancer counselling

Do I need to be currently in treatment to access cancer counselling?

No. Cancer counselling is appropriate at any stage, at diagnosis, during treatment, in remission, or years later. It is also available to family members and carers, regardless of where their loved one is in their cancer journey.

What if I do not feel sad, just angry or numb?

Anger, numbness, disbelief, and dark humour are all entirely valid responses to cancer. There is no correct emotional response, and all of them are welcome in the counselling room. My role is to meet you where you are, not where others think you should be.

Can counselling help with fear of recurrence?

Yes. Fear of recurrence is one of the most commonly reported concerns among cancer survivors, and one that can significantly affect quality of life. Counselling, particularly drawing on ACT and CFT, offers practical, evidence-based support for managing this fear without it taking over.

Is cancer counselling available online?

Yes. I offer confidential cancer support via Microsoft Teams to clients across the UK. For those who are fatigued, immunocompromised, or living at a distance from my West Wales practice, online sessions are a fully effective option.