Applying the standard Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) model could present challenges when working with terminal cancer patients. CBT has generally targeted unrealistic fears and worries in otherwise healthy people with clinically significant anxiety symptoms (Greer, Park, Prigerson & Safren, 2010). The traditional CBT model typically does not sufficiently address negative thought patterns among cancer patients that are rational, but nonetheless intrusive and distressing, such as concerns about cancer-related pain, disability and death, as well as management of multiple stressors, changes in functional status and intense medical treatments (Greer, Park, Prigerson & Safren, 2010).
Using CBT with terminal cancer patients may present a challenge because some level of adverse thought is expected due to the diagnosis of a terminal illness. When a client is facing death, it may come off as
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A power imbalance may become an issue when a therapist from a dominant culture such as able-bodied devalues a client with a non-dominant culture like a client with a terminal illness. It is essential for a therapist using CBT with terminal cancer patients to be sensitive and curious about the terminal illness or the client may end up feeling misunderstood. If the therapist is healthy, a client may assume the therapist does not understand what it is like to suffer from a terminal illness. A therapist may feel as if they have the power in the session because they are the counselor and use this power to help the client alter and reduce the negative thoughts they are experiencing. However, a therapist must be careful that they are being sensitive to the client’s emotions surrounding the terminal illness. For example, if a therapist is trying to get rid of the client’s negative thoughts altogether the client may feel as if the therapist is being insensitive to what he or she is going