Pre-Training Modules: Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy Training for Cancer Care Providers

Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) was designed by investigators at MSKCC to help advanced cancer patients understand the importance and relevance of sustaining, re-connecting with, creating and experiencing meaning in their lives through common and reliable sources of meaning that may serve as resources to help diminish despair, demoralization, and hopelessness near the end of life. Our research group adapted Viktor Frankl’s concepts regarding the importance of meaning in human existence and initially created a meaning-centered intervention in a group format (MCGP), and then in the individual format (IMCP). Both formats of MCP have been found to be effective in Randomized Controlled Trials and are considered to be established empirically validated treatment for patients with advanced cancer. MCP has also been adapted for use with other cancer and cancer related populations. 

Content last reviewed: January 2024

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.