RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07218250

A Study of a One-Time Counseling Session to Help Reduce Depression, Anxiety, and Distress in People With Breast Cancer

Piloting Single Session Consultation for Cancer (SSC-C) to Alleviate Distress Among Breast Cancer Patients

Sponsor

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Enrollment

20 participants

Start Date

Oct 15, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Breast Cancer

Summary

The purpose of this study is to see if a Single Counseling Session for Cancer can help reduce psychosocial distress and improve quality of life in people with breast cancer who are waiting to receive ongoing counseling services (outpatient psychotherapy services). The Single Counseling Session for Cancer-which I will refer to as the "study counseling" during this call-is a one-session, 60-minute counseling program designed to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in people with cancer who are waiting to receive outpatient psychotherapy services. The researchers will look at whether the study counseling is effective in participants and practical (feasible) for them to complete.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria12

Patient must have pathologically confirmed breast cancer (per EMR).
Patient with localized or advanced cancer (per EMR).
Patient is on a waitlist of at least 2 weeks or more for MSK Counseling Center intake and will not complete a Counseling Center intake prior to intervention (these patients will be replaced) (per EMR, patient's care team, or self-report).
Has no current active or passive suicidal ideation (per self-report of PHQ-9, Item 9: Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself).
Female (per EMR)
Age ≥ 18 (per EMR)
English fluency - Per self-report: How well do you speak English?
Agrees to be audio-recorded (per self-report) NOTE: Participants who report Very well are considered fluent.
Lives in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut (per self-report).
Has no significant psychiatric disturbance sufficient to preclude completion of the assessment measures, interview, or informed consent (i.e., acute psychiatric symptoms which require urgent or extended individual treatment) (per EMR, patient's care team, or study team).
Has no presence of cognitive impairment disorder (i.e., delirium or dementia) sufficient to preclude meaningful informed consent and/or data collection (per EMR, patient's care team, or per self-report of BOMC cognitive test).
Has no current active or passive suicidal ideation (per item 9 of the PHQ-9 and the CSSRS).

Interventions

BEHAVIORALSingle Counseling Session

The one-time counseling session will be a problem-solving focused program that will try to strengthen the belief in the ability to manage the challenges of the cancer diagnosis and treatment

OTHERAmerican Cancer Society booklet

called "After Diagnosis: A Guide for Patients and Families" for review. Again, this booklet includes information about cancer, living with cancer, making treatment decisions, talking to others about cancer, cancer treatment, and questions for the cancer care team. It will be given in person or by email.