Cancer Patient Support Program

“Transition is the emotional, cognitive, physical, and spiritual process that people go through when they are confronted with change.” ~ Jakob van Wielink

Our Care Approach: Supporting through Transitions

At Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, you have access to a wide range of supportive care services, including our dedicated Cancer Patient Support Program (CPSP).

As behavioral health providers in the CPSP, we recognize that transitioning into living with cancer can be challenging—not only for the person diagnosed but for caregivers and loved ones. Anxiety, fear, and sadness can impact the whole family in many ways.

You may be experiencing persistent, troubling thoughts, or the things you used to do may be more difficult because of physical limitations. During this life transition, you may find yourself seeking answers to life’s greatest existential and spiritual questions: Who am I? What are my values and beliefs? Who and what are meaningful to me?

Our licensed counselors and psychologists are here to support you and your loved ones during this transition.

For over 40 years, CPSP and our sister program, Psychosocial Oncology, have been a pillar of support in the Comprehensive Cancer Center. We believe that everyone has coping skills to assist in navigating life’s challenges. We are here to help you access and refine your strengths during this life-changing event.

Our team guides you and your loved ones on your cancer journey through a variety of therapeutic offerings to reduce suffering and improve your quality of life across the lifespan, throughout survivorship and beyond.

To meet your needs and keep you safe during the pandemic, we have expanded our services to include virtual telehealth appointments and support groups via video. For those unable to engage in virtual services, our team provides in-person services when safe and appropriate.

Care and Treatment

Counseling Services

Our team offers a variety of counseling services and approaches, including:

  • Supportive Psychotherapy for Individuals, Couples, and Families (“talk therapy”)
  • Mindfulness-based Practices
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Cognitive and Behavioral Interventions
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Existential and Spiritual Counseling
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Art Therapy
  • Grief and Bereavement Counseling
  • Support Groups

Clinician Specializations

  • Art Therapy
  • Existential Concerns
  • Geriatrics
  • Long-term Survivorship
  • Mood & Adjustment Concerns
  • Spirituality
  • Thanatology – Grief and Bereavement
  • Transitions
  • Trauma & EMDR
  • Men's and Women's Mindfulness and Well-being
  • Young Adults

Whether you are interested in supportive counseling, joining a support group, or expressing yourself through expressive art making, music or physical movement, we invite you to learn more about our services, by calling 336-713-6954.

How is talking to a mental health provider different than talking with my family and friends?

Our providers differ from the support of family and friends, because we are skillfully trained to assist with adjusting to life stressors. You can talk with us privately in a safe space to explore existential concerns or feelings of depression or anxiety—topics you may not feel comfortable discussing with family or friends.

During your initial phone intake, one of our clinicians will get to know you and identify what services best fit your needs. These services may include individual counseling, couples counseling, support groups, or other specialized care. Rest assured, you will be placed with a provider who specializes in your areas of concern.

What are the benefits of a support group?

Some patients and caregivers may prefer to meet with others who are walking a similar journey rather than meet individually with a mental health provider. We offer virtual support groups for both patients and caregivers. This is a unique opportunity to join with others across North Carolina to discuss similar issues.

Being a part of a support group has many benefits! They include increased empowerment and hope; a reduction in anxiety, distress, and feelings of loneliness; new coping skills; improved communications with loved ones; and tips on navigating cancer care.

Take Good Care, Attend CPSP Fall Virtual Cancer Wellness Workshops Led by Lisa A. Rainwater, MA (couns), PhD, LCMHC, CCMHC, CT

  • October 2: Reducing Uncertainty & Scanxiety  
    This workshop provides insights into how to live with the uncertainty of cancer recurrence and to manage scanxiety. You will gain an understanding of your responses to triggers and threats and how to respond through mindfulness practices and intellectual wellness activities to improve quality of life. 
  • October 17: Fostering Relational & Emotional Wellness 
    This workshop provides insights into how relationships can change and grow between loved ones on a cancer journey. You will gain an understanding of how to feel and express human emotions, cope with stress, be aware of personal feelings and others’ feelings, think positively of self and others and improve flexibility & adaptability. 
  • November 14: Engaging in Whole Body Wellness 
    This workshop provides insights into how the eight areas of wellness — physical, emotional, spiritual, vocational, intellectual, financial, environmental, and relational — can serve as a roadmap for reducing a variety of cancer journey challenges, including distress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, fatigue, “chemo / radiation fog” and caregiver burnout. You will gain an understanding of how to track progress and adapt to challenges with a variety of evidence-based techniques that can improve your quality of life. 
  • December 12: Facing Our Existential Fears 
    This workshop provides insights into the four existential concerns of being human: Isolation, Freedom, Meaninglessness and Death Anxiety. You will gain an understanding of how these concerns can arise on your cancer journey, how to face them with curiosity and dignity, and find support amongst fellow workshop attendees who experience similar concerns.  

To register, contact Emily LaFontaine, LCSWA at elafonta@wakehealth.edu or 336-716-2394.

Take Good Care, Join a CPSP Fall Virtual Support Group

Men’s Support Group: Second and fourth Wednesdays at 4 p.m.

  • Led by Lisa A. Rainwater, MA (couns), PhD, LCMHC, CCMHC, CT 
    • Enter a safe, confidential space to connect with other men cancer survivors and learn skills to empower you along your journey and improve your quality of life.

Women's Survivorship Book Club Luncheon: First and third Fridays at noon

  • Led by Lisa A. Rainwater, MA (couns), PhD, LCMHC, CCMHC, CT 
    • Grab your lunch and engage in a lunchtime discussion with other woman survivors! We read and discuss fiction & nonfiction representing strong women facing challenges in their lives to help find strength in ourselves.

Family & Friends Bereavement Support Group, Thursdays at 11 a.m.

  • Led by Lisa A. Rainwater, MA (couns), PhD, LCMHC, CCMHC, CT 
    • This 10-week bereavement group is designed for anyone who has lost a loved one to cancer and is seeking help to walk through the storm. 
      Participants will reflect on their sense of identity, examine life goals and social and familial relationships and learn how to reorganize life in a meaningful and healing way. 

Partner Bereavement Support Group: Fridays at 11:00 a.m. 

  • Led by Lisa A. Rainwater, MA (couns), PhD, LCMHC, CCMHC, CT 
    • This 10-week bereavement group is designed for spouses and partners who have lost a loved one to cancer. Participants will reflect on their sense of identity, examine life goals and social and familial relationships and learn how to reorganize life in a meaningful and healing way. 

Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group: First and third Thursdays

  • Led by Lisa A. Rainwater, MA (couns), PhD, LCMHC, CCMHC, CT 
    • Move toward being your best self, regardless of where you are on your cancer journey. Connect with other survivors in a safe, confidential space to share experiences and learn tools to help manage difficult thoughts and feelings. 

Caregivers Support Group: Second and fourth Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

  • Led by Lisa A. Rainwater, MA (couns), PhD, LCMHC, CCMHC, CT 
    • Enter a safe, confidential space and connect with other caregivers to explore and make sense of your new role to a loved one with cancer. We focus on improving your quality of life. Topics include roles and relationships, time and stress management, body, mind and faith independence and loneliness and emotions and skills.

Survivors & Caregivers Writing Support Group: First and third Tuesdays at 11 a.m.

  • Led by Lisa A. Rainwater, MA (couns), PhD, LCMHC, CCMHC, CT 
    • This 10-week writing support group will help you explore existential questions such as "What have I learned on this cancer journey? Who am I now? What is my purpose in life? How do I find comfort in self and others?" Different writing genres will help you find expression in safe space. Everyone touched by cancer, regardless of writing experience, is invited to attend.

Healing Arts Therapy Open Studio: Fridays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. 

  • Led by Lisa A. Rainwater, MA (couns), PhD, LCMHC, CCMHC, CT 
    • Individuals are invited to gather, connect and share with others on their wellness journey through art making and therapeutic conversation. No experience needed. All supplies included.  

To register for a support group, contact Emily LaFontaine, LCSWA at elafonta@wakehealth.edu or 336-716-2394.

New: Healing Arts Therapy Specialty Clinic

The CPSP Healing Arts Specialty Clinic offers art therapy for patients and caregivers receiving inpatient and outpatient care to process physical, emotional, and psychological experiences when faced with cancer. CPSP strives to ensure that no one faces cancer alone and understands that everyone processes the impact of cancer in different ways. Art therapy requires no previous artistic skill and provides individuals with a unique opportunity to process experienced thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations while making art, and discover ways created art products can guide awareness, healing, growth, and connection on their personal journey. Healing arts therapy services are also made available for providers on their wellness journey to process grief, foster healing, and reduce compassion fatigue as they continue caring for others.

For dates and times for Healing Arts Therapy Clinic events, check the CPSP monthly calendar online. Questions or would like to register for a class, contact Erica Fox, MA, LCMHC, NCC, ATR, at efox@wakehealth.edu or 336-713-6952.

What other CPSP programing is available to me and my family?

We know that cancer impacts a person both emotionally and physically. We invite you to engage in our healing music program, where you can listen to live music in the Cancer Center atrium. To support your physical well-being, you can participate in tai chi and gentle chair yoga classes. These classes can be accessed virtually or in-person.

Other Services

The Comprehensive Cancer Center offers a number of services that work hand-in-hand with the Cancer Patient Support Program to help patients through what can be a very difficult time. These include:

Care and Treatment

4 Women of the Cancer Patient Support Program team standing side by side wearing teal Summerlark shirts outside

Providers

Katie Duckworth, PhD
Katie E. Duckworth, PhD, LCMHC

Katie Duckworth, PhD is the Director of the Cancer Patient Support and Psychosocial Oncology Programs and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Hematology and Oncology. Katie received a BS in Cognitive Studies and Spanish Literature from Vanderbilt University, a MA in Community Counseling from the University of Texas at San Antonio as well as a MA in History from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Counseling and Counselor Education. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Psychosocial Oncology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Katie's clinical and research interests include adjustment to chronic health conditions, maternal health, including pregnancy in cancer care, young adult survivorship, sleep quality, fertility and end of life care. She works primarily with the stem cell transplant service and enjoys multidisciplinary care as well as long term relationship establishment with clients. Katie has a strong interest in both clinical and archival research. She is active in many committees throughout the medical center, including medical school admissions and faculty development, and teaches in numerous programs, including Genetic Counseling and the Addiction Research and Clinical Health Programs.


Erica Fox, LCMHC, NCC, ATR

Erica joined the Cancer Patient Support Program in 2022 as a psychosocial oncology counselor and art therapist. She is a licensed clinical mental health counselor, national certified Counselor, registered art therapist, and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) practitioner. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and art therapy from Lesley University.

Erica’s counseling approach is rooted mindfulness and somatic focused practices combined with humanistic (person-centered, gestalt, existential), cognitive-behavioral and expressive arts therapies. Her clinical and research interests include distress management due to impact of acute and chronic disease, healthy adaptation through significant transitions, navigating grief and loss, women’s wellness and empowerment, psychoeducation and the use of expressive arts therapies in medical settings to promote healing.

Erica currently provides inpatient and outpatient counseling to individuals and families, is a clinical supervisor for graduate level counselors in training through practicum and internship learning experiences and manages the CPSP Healing Arts Therapy Clinic providing art therapy services to patients, caregivers and providers here at the Comprehensive Cancer Center.


Emily LaFontaine, LCSWA

Emily LaFontaine, LCSWA, graduated from Appalachian State University in 2012 with two bachelor’s degrees in education and communication. She then taught fourth, fifth and sixth grades for approximately five years before being diagnosed with leukemia and surviving two stem cells transplants. This prompted her to pursue a master’s degree in social work from the University of South Florida, leading to internships with the Mooresville Graded School District, as well as Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s Cancer Patient Support Program. Emily graduated in 2022 as a member of the Phi Alpha Honor Society.

Emily’s clinical interests include anxiety, depression, grief, adjustment to diagnosis/treatment/survivorship, financial toxicity, accessibility/affordability of medical care and coverage, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Emily has worked with children and adolescents in the school setting and currently works with adults of all ages in the inpatient and outpatient medical settings.

Carrie Madsen
Carrie Madsen, MS, LCMHC, NCC

Carrie Madsen rejoined the Cancer Patient Support Program in 2022 as a psychosocial oncology counselor, having previously served on staff with CPSP in 2015. She completed her MS in Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2012 and has provided individual and group therapy in medical, educational, and clinical mental health settings. Carrie also holds a BA in Music from the University of Oregon and an MA in Musicology from Cornell University.

Carrie's clinical interests include chronic health conditions, anxiety, depression, spirituality, existential concerns, end-of-life issues, grief and loss, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and group therapy. She is particularly passionate about supporting clients as they navigate periods of adjustment, such as those initiated by cancer diagnosis, treatment, and/or survivorship. Carrie works with individuals, groups, and caregivers/families in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.

Lisa Ann Rainwater
Lisa A. Rainwater, PhD, MA, LCMHC, NCC, CGP, CT

Lisa is the Integrated Clinical Programming Manager of the Cancer Patient Support and Psychosocial Oncology Programs. She joined the Cancer Patient Support Program in 2020 as a psychosocial oncology counselor after completing her year-long practicum and internship as a graduate student in counseling. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, German and sociology from Winona State University, a master’s degree in German studies from the University of Oregon, a PhD in German and Scandinavian studies, with an emphasis on existential and feminist theory and philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and a master’s degree in counseling from Wake Forest University. She is a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, a national certified Counselor, a certified Grief Professional, and holds international certification in Thanatology from the Association of Death Education and Counseling.

Her graduate work and research has focused on human concerns related to meaning and purpose in life, human suffering and death, freedom and responsibility, and isolation and loneliness. Her theoretical orientation is rooted in existential humanist philosophy with the belief that each individual has inherent strengths that enable one to grow and adapt through personal choices and responsibilities. The death of a loved one, the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness, or the inability to speak due to cancer can be the force that catapults one into an existential crisis. Lisa recognizes that such crises can be debilitating but also views them as an opportunity for personal growth. She is committed to supporting her patients on their journey to identify and embrace the people, values and activities that matter most to them while facing life challenges.

Lisa’s clinical and research interests include grief, anxiety, existential threats, caregiver distress, geriatrics and end of life decisions. She provides inpatient and outpatient counseling to individuals, couples, and families and leads virtual support groups for caregivers and cancer survivors.


Lindsay Seigenthaler, M.Ed., LCMHCA, NCC

Lindsay Seigenthaler joined the Cancer Patient Support Program in 2023 as a psychosocial oncology counselor. She completed her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from North Carolina State University in 2020 and has experience working within in-patient treatment programs and the private practice settings.

Lindsay’s therapeutic approach is rooted in humanistic and person-centered methodologies that incorporate aspects of solution-focused brief therapy, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Her clinical interests include anxiety, depression, grief and loss, identity development, life transitions and substance abuse. She currently provides counseling to individuals, caregivers and families in inpatient and outpatient settings.