The benefits of concurrent engagement in meaning-centered psychotherapy and meaning-centered psychotherapy for cancer caregivers: A case study

Objective This report describes a case of concurrent engagement in Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) and Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Caregivers (MCP-C), brief, structured interventions designed to address existential distress in patients with cancer and cancer caregivers. Method Descriptions of the independent courses of MCP/MCP-C treatment for a patient with Glioblastoma Multiforme and his caregiver are provided with both unique and shared themes around sources of meaning highlighted. Results The patient and caregiver each experienced enhanced well-being as a result of receiving MCP and MCP-C, as well as shared benefits of deepened connectedness. Engagement in MCP/MCP-C had important implications for their experience of the patient's end-of-life and the caregiver's bereavement. Significance of results MCP and MCP-C are interventions typically delivered independently to patients and caregivers. The individual and shared benefits derived from MCP/MCP-C by this patient and caregiver point to the potential benefits of concurrent engagement and the need for future dyadic research on MCP/MCP-C.