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

Cancer Patient Support

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, 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 (“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
  • 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 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, support groups, or other specialized care. Rest assured, you will be placed with a provider who specializes in your areas of concern.

Cancer Patient Caretaker Support

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.

Join a CPSP Virtual Support Group

View Upcoming Events to see a list of virtual support groups that are available to join.

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.

View dates and times for upcoming Healing Arts Therapy Clinic events. Questions or want to register for a class? Contact Erica Fox, MA, LCMHC, NCC, ATR, at efox@wakehealth.edu or 336-713-6952.

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

  • Led by Erica Fox, MA, LCMHC, NCC, ATR
    • 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.

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, ATR, LCMHC

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

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.

Lindsay Kate Seigenthaler, LCMHC

Lindsay Seigenthaler, M.Ed., LCMHC, 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.

Holly Duvall Hallman, MSW, LCSW

Holly Hallman, MSW, LCSW

Holly Hallman joined the Cancer Patient Support Program as a licensed clinical social worker in June 2023. She initially joined the ranks of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in 2016, working first with the Department of Family Medicine offering integrated behavioral health care in primary care clinics, and then with families in the Brenner FIT program.

Her decision to pursue social work stemmed from post-college work with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Community Care Center, a local free medical clinic. After earning her master’s degree in social work from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 2005, Holly worked in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County schools and later with Family Services as a community-based mental health provider. Holly is thrilled to join the CPSP team to support patients and families as they navigate their journey with cancer, strengthen skills to manage stress and adapt to change, and seek to live life as fully and wholeheartedly as possible. She enjoys working especially with adults and teens, and her areas of interest include adjustment to transitions and chronic illness, depression and anxiety, spirituality, family and relationship issues, and grief and loss. She also enjoys providing clinical services to Latine individuals and families for whom Spanish is their primary language.

Holly has deep roots in the Winston-Salem community, having lived here from a young age. When she is not at work, Holly enjoys spending time with her spouse and their motley crew of four pups, time with friends and family, hiking, spending time outdoors, enjoying live music, reading, cooking and attempting to garden.

Caleb David Evington

Caleb David Evington, LCSW

Caleb began his academic journey at Appalachian State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies with a minor in Not-for-Profit Management. After several years in human services, he furthered his education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, obtaining a Master of Social Work and pursuing licensure in clinical social work.

In the first eight years of his career, Caleb specialized in childhood traumatic stress, working in diverse environments including community and residential foster care, adoption, schools, and trauma-focused outpatient therapy. In 2022, he joined the adolescent and young adult oncology leadership team at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, dedicated to enhancing supportive care for this important population.

Beginning in 2024, Caleb expanded his practice to serve individuals of all ages. His clinical interests within Psychosocial Oncology encompass acute and chronic stress, adjustment to life-limiting illness, resilience, meaning-making, somatic expression, existential exploration, and sexual and reproductive wellbeing.

Caleb’s counseling approach is person-centered, psychodynamic, and narrative, emphasizing that you are the expert of your own life. Together, you will explore your narrative and seek solutions to life’s challenges. Drawing on a variety of therapeutic frameworks, he promotes your dignity and agency while recognizing the strengths within your unique context. He believes in the resilience of the human spirit and is committed to supporting your journey toward healing, growth, equanimity, and a deeper sense of purpose. He offers therapeutic support to individuals, couples, and families.