This Module is included in the Phoenix Personal & Professional Growth Hub Membership
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For Holistic & Complementary Therapists
How to work with confidence, compassion, and clarity when supporting clients affected by cancer
Supporting a client who is living with cancer can feel daunting, even for experienced complementary therapists. You may wonder what is safe, what language to use, how to adapt your treatments, or how to support your client emotionally without stepping outside your professional boundaries
Why This Course Matters
Cancer touches more lives than ever, and therapists are increasingly part of that support network.
Being well-intentioned isn’t enough.
Being informed, professional and prepared is what allows you to show up safely for your client and yourself.
This course gives you that grounding.
Ready to begin your journey?
Click below to enrol now and start your cancer learning journey today!
Understanding Cancer
This introductory module gently builds your understanding of cancer using clear, non-clinical language. You’ll explore what cancer is, the difference between benign and malignant tumours, and the main types of cancer you may encounter in practice.
We’ll explain what stage and grade really mean, look at UK cancer statistics with an awareness of lifestyle and environmental factors, and introduce how cancer can spread (metastasis), without overwhelm or fear.
You’ll also gain an overview of conventional cancer treatments and be supported with a clear glossary of key terms, so medical language feels familiar rather than intimidating.
Supportive Therapeutic Practice
You’ll explore supportive therapeutic practice through a clear, professional lens, helping you understand what is appropriate, when to adapt, and when it’s best to pause treatment altogether.
We’ll guide you through cautions and contraindications, preparation for treatment, and practical decision-making around when to treat and when to adapt, so you feel steady and confident in real-life sessions.
You’ll also explore gentle supportive tools such as breathwork and grounding, meditation, sound and stillness, alongside the considered use of crystals, energy support and chakras, always with safety, scope of practice and client wellbeing at the centre.
The module also introduces the client’s emotional landscape, helping you recognise what clients may be experiencing emotionally and how to hold space without absorbing or carrying their emotions yourself.
Communication & Client Support
Clear, compassionate communication sits at the heart of safe therapeutic practice, especially when supporting clients affected by cancer. This module focuses on how you communicate, set boundaries and create a supportive environment that protects both your client and yourself.
You’ll explore how to set the scene for sessions, from consultation through to treatment, and understand the power of language, what to say, what to avoid, and how to respond confidently when clients ask difficult or emotionally charged questions.
The module also guides you through scheduling therapies within treatment cycles, helping you understand timing, fatigue patterns and when flexibility is needed. You’ll gain practical support around boundaries, professionalism and the Cancer Act in practice, with clear, therapist-friendly explanations and safe language examples.
Supporting Clients at End of Life
This module gently guides therapists through supporting clients as care shifts from wellbeing to comfort. You’ll learn how to offer safe, soothing touch, hold space with confidence, communicate compassionately, and work sensitively around families and carers. With a strong focus on professional boundaries and therapist self-care, this session helps you decide whether end-of-life support is right for you — and how to approach it with dignity, presence and calm assurance.
Emotional resilience, grounding & professional wellbeing
This module also supports you to work ethically and sustainably. You’ll gain clarity around emotional boundaries, supervision and peer support, energetic protection (without anything dramatic or uncomfortable), and how to balance emotionally intense work with lighter sessions. Importantly, it reinforces that you always have choice, including when it’s appropriate to say no, shorten a session, or refer on professionally.
How learning about the cancer journey has benefited our members
Sue Carey
As a former nurse I found this course an excellent revision tool, which enabled me to revisit all aspects of caring for people living with cancer. It is also excellent for new therapists or new to working with individuals with cancer as it covers all aspects of the clients journey and how we can support them. I particularly thought the section on communication was very supportive for therapists. Short modules, presented in a variety of formats allow accessible learning, guided relaxation session and treatment plan to download make this course an excellent learning tool to support professional practice for reflexologists.
Lorraine Gray
As a qualified reflexologist I found the support for cancer course very informative. It gives a good overview of cancer, medical treatments available and how a bespoke reflexology session can be of benefit to those living with cancer. It gives useful ways to adapt sessions to meet the varied needs of the client. It will definitely provide a good addition to the reflexology I can provide.
Alison Steyn
Taking 'Understanding Your Client's Cancer Journey' was a deeply meaningful experience. This comprehensive course goes beyond theory, providing practical insights that helped me understand the emotional, physical and psychological journey of anyone affected by cancer. The content is thoughtfully structured; each module is concise, clear, engaging, easy to absorb, and flows seamlessly.
I now feel confident, compassionate, and well-equipped to offer reflexology that is safe, supportive, and truly comforting, helping clients feel seen and cared for throughout their journey.
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