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Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy
2026. Vol. 34, no. 1, 175–193
doi:10.17759/cpp.2026340109
ISSN: 2075-3470 / 2311-9446 (online)

Reflections of a psychologist on working with the mode of uncertainty in cancer patients

 
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Abstract

Context and relevance. Uncertainty is considered as a central problem of personality psychology. The diagnosis of cancer creates a real threat to human life. Regardless of the course of the disease and the results of treatment, anxiety caused by the uncertainty of the future accompanies the patient throughout his or her life. The experience of uncertainty by an oncological patient differs from that of other people. A psychologist who consults cancer patients comes into direct contact with their intense emotional experiences. Goal. To show possible directions of psychological counseling for cancer patients when they experience uncertainty. Methods and materials. An analysis of clinical conversations with cancer patients, a description of the existential experiences of patients who are faced with a mode of uncertainty in their lives after diagnosis. Generalization of practical experience in dealing with uncertainty in cancer patients and a description of possible areas of psychological counseling on this topic. Results. The results showed that when working with the mode of uncertainty in cancer patients, psychologists need to reflect on existential issues: death and their own death, defining themselves, giving meaning, authenticity, trust in life, control, living in the present, and discuss these topics with patients, offering them specific practical tasks. Conclusions. Uncertainty is an inherent property of life, a given of human existence. Cancer patients feel the uncertainty of life more acutely and are accompanied by strong negative feelings. The patient needs to learn how to deal with them and live each day of his life in the best possible way. The proposed areas of psychological work can help patients understand what is happening. A psychologist should be able to be in a situation of uncertainty with the patient.

General Information

Keywords: uncertainty, cancer patients, existential experiences, psychological counseling

Journal rubric: Case study

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2026340109

Acknowledgements. The authors thank the patients for the materials provided.

Received 06.04.2025

Revised 06.08.2025

Accepted

Published

For citation: Chulkova, V.A., Vasyleva, N.G., Pestereva, E.V. (2026). Reflections of a psychologist on working with the mode of uncertainty in cancer patients. Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy, 34(1), 175–193. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2026340109

© Chulkova V.A., Vasyleva N.G., Pestereva E.V., 2026

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Valentina A. Chulkova, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Associate Professor, Department of Additional Professional Education, N.N. Petrov National Research Medical Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, St.Petersburg, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3213-1294, e-mail: vchulkova@mail.ru

Nadezhda G. Vasyleva, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology, Medical Psychologist Highest qualification category, National Research Medical Center for Psychiatry and Neurology, St.Petersburg, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8930-7065, e-mail: vas006@yandex.ru

Elena V. Pestereva, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Senior Lecturer at the Depart ment of Humanities and Bioethics, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Researcher, Department of Innovative Methods of Therapeutic Oncology and Rehabilitation, N.N. Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation; Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychology of Crisis and Extreme Situations, Faculty of Psychology, St. Petersburg State University; Medical Psychologist, St. Petersburg City Hospital No. 28 "Maximilianovskaya"; Deputy Chairman of the Association of Oncopsychologists of the Northwestern Region of Russia, St.Petersburg, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5790-3698, e-mail: vi-lena1@mail.ru

Contribution of the authors

Chulkova V.A. — ideas, practical examples, discussion, manuscript writing, annotation;

Vasileva N.G. — discussion, writing and design of the manuscript, annotation;

Pestereva E.V. — an example from practice, discussion.

All the authors participated in the discussion of the results and agreed on the final text of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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