Seeking support and information from the internet can be a common and healthy way of navigating cancer survivorship. But consuming media can also leave us feeling unsettled. The consequences, both helpful and hurtful, of what you share online are worth considering. Join us on Wednesday, February 8th as we talk together about how the internet is working for you or not working at all. And let’s talk together about the ways in which you shape and manage your online identity in thoughtful and intentional ways.

1. Cancer & The Digital World
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com

2. Cancer & Internet
Benefits
• SMARTER: Research medical information
• ACCESS: Learn about treatment options
• SELF-CARE: Engage in activities &
experiences
• REDUCE ISOLATION: Connect with others
• CONNECTION: Share updates with loved
ones
• MAKES LIFE EASIER: Simplify everyday
tasks
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com

3. Cancer & Internet
Caution
• MISINFORMATION: Vetting reliable
information
• PACING: Learning more than you are
emotionally or mentally ready to learn.
• LOSS OF CONTROL: Disheartening content
• RESENTMENT: Participation burden
• PROTECTION: Managing your online
“brand”
• PRIVACY: Privacy concerns
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com

4. Loose boundaries lead
to emotional drain.
Rigid boundaries lead
to loneliness.
STEP ONE:
Know Yourself:
Your worry, hope, fear,
choices, desires.
Your feelings, thoughts
and physical sensations.
Your needs and limits.
Julie
Larson,
LCSW
-
www.julielarsonlcsw.com

5. Logging on
Logging off
What does the internet
give you that you NEED?
How do you know that
need is met by the
internet?
How do you know the
internet is helping or
hurting you?
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com
&

6. What am I doing that is helpful?
What am I doing that is not helpful?
Getting organized and prepared Sharing honestly and listening
openly.
Set realistic goals by learning
more.
Feel empowered, calm, confident
Top of the Hour Break. Change my
surroundings - Pause and breathe
Self-compassion break: Reality
check and non-judgemental
acceptance of distress.
Fortune Telling Assumptions
Making comparisons Feeling resentful or caretaking
role within group
Time warp – lost time Tuning out

7. Review: Stress Response
External Threat
FIGHT Argue,
push away
FLIGHT Isolate,
Avoid
FREEZE Indecision,
Stuck
Internal Threat
(worry or fear)
FIGHT
Self-
criticism,
blame
FLIGHT
Self-
isolation,
numbing
FREEZE
Ruminate,
over-
identify
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com

8. Considering your Online
Presence
• What do you want to share?
• What do you NOT want others to assume?
• Consider the impact now and down the
road?
• Make sure OTHERS know your preferences
for disclosure.
• Think about the way you’ll explain your
involvement with the cancer community.
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com

9. Internet Self Care
Strategies:
• UNFOLLOW: Take inventory and purge was
is not working for you.
• FOLLOW: Find resources, blogs and
affirmative posts that help keep you
balanced and in a healthy mindset.
• VISUALIZE: Place images on your screen
that help you stay focused and balanced
• LIMITS: Place time limits on time
consuming apps you use.
• ESCAPE: Find a course or a video that
teaches you something new.
Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com