In this episode of When Work Hurts, I’m joined by Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Sarah Swan to talk about her experience of breast cancer and how becoming a patient affected her both personally and professionally.
(🎥 Watch the video version here)
Sarah shares the story behind her book Coping with Breast Cancer, and we explore the emotional realities of cancer diagnosis and treatment – including fear, uncertainty and the pressure created by some of the familiar cultural narratives about how people are supposed to cope with cancer.
We also talk about what it is like to navigate serious illness while working as a psychologist. Sarah reflects on decisions about what to tell clients, the complexities of self-disclosure and professional boundaries, and how her experience challenged and reshaped aspects of her professional identity.
Our conversation explores the role of values when life becomes uncertain, what psychological skills can – and can’t – offer when you are living through your own difficult experience, and what it feels like to encounter healthcare professionals from the other side of the consulting room.
Finally, Sarah shares some of the things she wishes health professionals understood about supporting people through cancer, and we discuss the wider Coping with… book series and its aim of providing accessible, psychologically informed support for people facing difficult life experiences.
Useful links:
Buy Coping with Breast Cancer
Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn
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The Coping With series is available via Sequoia Books and Routledge. ACP-UK members receive a discount on all ACP-UK titles - details are in the monthly members’ newsletter, The Buzz.
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