Request Form for FORT Resources
Fear of Recurrence Therapy (FORT) is a manualized and standardized therapist led group intervention. It consists of 6 weekly sessions of 90-120 minutes each and includes take-home assignments. The FORT program is based on 6 major goals:
- Distinguish worrisome symptoms from benign ones
- Identify triggers and inappropriate coping strategies
- Facilitate the learning and use of new coping strategies such as relaxation techniques and cognitive restructuring
- Increase tolerance for uncertainty
- Promote the emotional expression of the specific fears that underlie fear of cancer recurrence
- Re-examine life priorities and set realistic goals for the future
FORT is an intervention to manage fear of cancer recurrence. FORT has been empirically tested (Maheu, Lebel, et al., 2023) and is based on a blended theoretical model of fear of cancer recurrence (Lebel, Maheu, et al., 2014; 2018). FORT aims at addressing key vulnerability factors such as internal and external triggers, exaggerated perceived risk of recurrence, hyper-focus on ambiguous physical sensations, maladaptive coping, uncertainty around cancer and its treatments or care, intolerance of uncertainty as well as beliefs the benefits of worrying about one’s health. It combines elements of group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and existential therapy.
Fear of Cancer Recurrence Therapy (FORT) Materials can be requested here.
