A Study of Counseling Support for Cancer Survivors Age 65+

Inclusion criteria

• As per self-report or medical record, ≥65 years old
• As per self-report or medical record, has a history of cancer
• As per medical record and/or self-report:

• currently with no evidence of disease (NED) AND/OR
• 6 months or more post-treatment
• Fluent in English or Spanish, as per self-reported fluency of "well" or "very well"*
• As per self-report, able to communicate over video-conference and/or phone for sessions
• Elevated score on the PHQ-9: ≥8 (N/A for Training Case participants)
• Received a Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration Scale (BOMC) score of ≤ 11 (N/A for Training Case participants)

Exclusion criteria

• As per PI determination, requires a higher level of care for current passive or active suicidal ideation than current protocol is able to provide. If a participant receives a score of > 0 on item 9 of the PHQ-9, they will be referred to study PI for further evaluation using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSR) (MSK Standard) to determine level of risk;. Only those with active suicidal ideation will be excluded and referred to a higher level of care.
• As per self-report or as documented in the medical record, current untreated (e.g., no medication, no therapy) major psychotic disorder (schizotypal personality disorder, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder). Patients diagnosed with a major psychiatric disorder will be reviewed by the study PI to determine eligibility prior to consent.
• As per self-report or medical record, currently taking antidepressant medication for < 3 month
• As per self-report, engagement in regular individual psychotherapeutic support that the participant is unable or unwilling to put on hold for the course of the study
• [MSK patients only] As per medical record, patient has impaired decision-making capacity
• Language verification: Prior to enrollment, patients will be asked the following two questions by research staff to verify English or Spanish fluency necessary for participation in the study:

• How well do you speak English/ Spanish? (must respond "Well" or "Very well" when given the choices of Very well, Well, Not well, Not at all, Don't know, or Refused)
• What is your preferred language for healthcare? (must respond English or Spanish)