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Frequently Asked Questions

Many people have questions about what palliative care means and what it means when someone goes into palliative care, especially when facing a serious illness or supporting a loved one. This page answers common questions about palliative care support, counselling for serious illness, and guidance for families navigating difficult medical journeys.

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FAQ's On This Page

Understanding Palliative Care

Counselling for Serious Illness

Support for Families and Caregivers

Practical Questions About Counselling

Other Questions About Counselling and Support

Understanding Palliative Care

Palliative care is specialised medical and psychological support focused on improving quality of life for people living with serious illness. It is often misunderstood, with many people unsure when it begins or what it involves. The information below explains what palliative care means, when it starts, and how it differs from hospice care, as well as how it supports individuals and their families throughout the process.

Palliative & Hospice Care Questions

The difference between hospice and palliative care has to do with timing and the stage of the illness. Palliative care can begin at the time of diagnosis and may continue alongside medical treatment for months or years. Hospice care is usually provided when a person is approaching the end of life and curative treatment is no longer pursued. In some healthcare systems, including parts of South Africa, hospice services are often reserved for patients with a limited life expectancy.

Someone can start palliative care as soon as they are diagnosed with a serious or life-limiting illness. Early support can help manage symptoms, reduce emotional distress, and improve communication between patients, families, and healthcare professionals. Establishing a supportive care team early also allows professionals to understand the patient’s situation and respond more effectively as needs change.

Counselling For Serious Illness

Counselling for serious illness is psychological support that helps people cope with the emotional, relational and practical challenges of living with a life changing medical condition. It provides a supportive space to process uncertainty, work through difficult emotions, strengthen relationships and find meaning while navigating the realities of chronic or life limiting conditions. The information below explains how this form of counselling works, when it may be helpful and how it supports individuals and their families throughout the journey.

Counselling for Serious Illness

Counselling for serious illness helps people maintain meaning, purpose, and emotional balance while living with a chronic or life-limiting condition. Counselling strengthens personal resources, coping skills, and resilience so individuals can continue engaging with life while acknowledging limitations and grieving losses. The goal is to support people in living as fully as possible despite the challenges of illness.

Support for Families and Caregivers

Support for families and caregivers helps individuals care for a loved one with serious illness while managing the emotional, relational and practical pressures that come with caregiving. It provides guidance and support in navigating stress, communication, difficult decisions and anticipatory grief, while maintaining connection and resilience during uncertain times. The information below explains how counselling can support those facing a life changing diagnosis, ongoing caregiving responsibilities and uncertainty about prognosis.

Support For Families And Caregivers

How to support a loved one living with serious or terminal illness involves emotional presence, practical help, and open communication. Many people want to “say the right thing,” but the most meaningful support is often listening, acknowledging the reality of the illness, and remaining present. Practical help with daily tasks, attending medical appointments, and encouraging honest conversations can also reduce stress. Counselling can support both patients and families by creating space for these conversations and helping loved ones navigate uncertainty together.

Families cope when a loved one is terminally ill through support for families of terminally ill patients, practical caregiving strategies, emotional connection, and open communication. The uncertainty of serious illness can create fear, sadness, and exhaustion for everyone involved. Counselling can help families process these emotions, strengthen communication, and focus on meaningful moments together. Many families also benefit from guidance on balancing caregiving responsibilities with their own wellbeing. Support for families of terminally ill patients helps them remain connected, resilient, and emotionally supported during a very difficult time.

Counselling for caregivers of palliative care patients provides emotional support, coping strategies, and a confidential space to process the pressures of caregiving. Caring for someone with serious illness can bring exhaustion, worry, and feelings of isolation. A counsellor can help caregivers manage stress, navigate difficult decisions, and maintain balance between caring for their loved one and caring for themselves. Caregiver support in palliative care also helps family members sustain their resilience so they can continue providing compassionate support

Anticipatory grief is the emotional response people experience before the loss of a loved one who is seriously or terminally ill. It can include sadness, anxiety, anger, guilt, or periods of hope as families face the reality that a loss may be approaching. Anticipatory grief often begins long before death and can affect both patients and family members. Counselling for anticipatory grief helps people acknowledge these complex emotions, prepare psychologically for what lies ahead, and remain present with their loved one during the time that remains.

Families talk about serious illness and end-of-life decisions more effectively when conversations are open, gradual, and guided with sensitivity. Many families struggle to raise topics such as treatment choices, quality of life, or future care because they want to protect one another from distress. Counselling can help families create a safe space for these discussions, clarify values and priorities, and ensure that important decisions reflect the wishes of the person living with serious illness

Practical Questions About Counselling

Practical questions about counselling explain how sessions work, including aspects such as session length, confidentiality, scheduling and cost. This section provides clear information on what to expect from the process so that you can feel informed and comfortable before starting. Below you will find answers to common questions about session structure, fees, confidentiality and other practical arrangements.

Practical Questions About Counselling

A counselling or therapy session typically lasts about 50 minutes, which is the standard duration used by most counselling and therapy practices. Some sessions may be longer when needed, for example during an initial palliative care assessment or when meeting with several family members together. If you feel that a longer session would be helpful, this can usually be arranged in advance so that sufficient time can be scheduled and the cost can be discussed beforehand.

Online counselling sessions are available and allow clients to receive support from anywhere in the world. As long as a suitable time can be arranged, taking possible time zone differences into account, sessions can take place through secure video platforms. Many clients appreciate the flexibility and accessibility of online counselling, especially when travel, illness, or distance makes in-person sessions difficult. Online sessions provide the same confidential space for conversation, reflection, and support as office-based counselling.

Confidentiality in counselling means that what you share in a session remains private. Counsellors are ethically and professionally required to protect client confidentiality. There are only two legal exceptions: if a client poses a serious risk of harm to themselves or others, or if a court orders the disclosure of specific information. Court orders are rare and typically relate to criminal investigations or child protection cases. In everyday counselling situations, clients can speak freely knowing that their privacy is respected.

Online counselling sessions are available and allow clients to receive support from anywhere in the world. As long as a suitable time can be arranged, taking possible time zone differences into account, sessions can take place through secure video platforms. Many clients appreciate the flexibility and accessibility of online counselling, especially when travel, illness, or distance makes in-person sessions difficult. Online sessions provide the same confidential space for conversation, reflection, and support as office-based counselling.

The frequency of counselling sessions depends on each client’s needs and circumstances. Many people begin with more frequent sessions when a situation feels urgent or overwhelming. As clarity grows and coping improves, sessions are often spaced further apart. Practical considerations such as availability and finances can also influence the schedule. Counselling works best when the timing supports the client’s pace of change, allowing space for reflection while maintaining continuity in the process.

The first counselling session is an initial conversation where the counsellor learns about your situation and what you hope to gain from counselling. You may be asked about the challenges you are currently facing, your goals for the sessions, and any relevant background information. The first session also gives you an opportunity to ask questions and see whether the counselling approach and the relationship feel comfortable and helpful for you.

Counselling may be helpful when you would like support in making changes, understanding your situation more clearly, or coping with difficult circumstances. Many people seek counselling during times of stress, illness, uncertainty, or life transition. Others simply want a space to reflect and gain perspective. A counselling conversation can help clarify goals, explore options, and strengthen personal resources. Even one or two sessions can provide insight into whether the process feels helpful for you.

Other Questions About Counselling and Support

Other questions about counselling and support address topics that do not fall within the main sections but are still commonly asked by individuals seeking guidance. Some concerns relate to unique situations or practical considerations that may not be covered elsewhere. The information below provides clarity on these additional questions to help you feel more informed when considering counselling or emotional support.

Call Now: 084 209 5930 / Email: info@beyondborderscounselling.com

Palliative & Hospice Care Questions

What does palliative care mean?

What does it mean when someone goes into palliative care?

Does palliative care mean someone is dying?

What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?

When should someone start palliative care?

Can you receive treatment and palliative care at the same time?

Counselling for Serious Illness

How can counselling help someone living with serious illness?

Can counselling help someone cope with a life-changing medical diagnosis?

What emotional challenges do people face when living with serious illness?

How can counselling help people cope with uncertainty about prognosis?

Can counselling help families talk about serious illness and difficult decisions?

Support For Families And Caregivers

How can I support a loved one living with serious or terminal illness?

How can families cope when a loved one is terminally ill?

How can counselling support caregivers of palliative care patients?

What is anticipatory grief?

How do families talk about serious illness and end-of-life decisions?

Practical Questions About Counselling

How long is a counselling session?

Do you offer online counselling sessions?

Is everything I say confidential?

Do you offer online counselling sessions?

How often should counselling sessions take place?

What happens in the first counselling session?

How do I know if counselling is right for me?

Other Questions About Counselling

Can counselling help even if my situation cannot be changed?

Can counselling help when family members disagree about medical decisions?