A Trial to Strengthen Existential Resiliency Among Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Strengthen Existential Resiliency Among Women With Metastatic Cancer

The investigators group has piloted a 6-week psycho-educational program, Growing Resiliency And CouragE with Cancer™ (GRACE), that bring together a variety of strategies and experiences from an inter-professional perspective to mitigate distress among patients with an advanced cancer diagnosis. GRACE is a six-session, empirically anchored intervention emphasizing a Logotherapy (Existential Therapy) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy approach involving psycho-education and process-oriented experiences. The curriculum includes themes illustrated via PowerPoint slides with semi-structured delivery, video presentations, a variety of mindfulness meditation practices, and selected readings that serve to reflect and capture the theme for the week of the curriculum.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women with metastatic cancer with a minimum prognosis of 3 months
• Existential or spiritual concerns
• Reasonable medical stability as assessed by the evaluating physician
• Commits to attending 5/6 of the GRACE classes
• English speaking
• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unstable psychiatric disorder that would detract from a group program (i.e. severe depression/anxiety not controlled medically, volatile personality disorders)
• Cognitive impairment or cognitive linguistic impairment (i.e., aphasia) that would interfere with a group program.