What Will I Be Asked To Do?

Part I of the study will begin with two phone interviews, during which time you will be asked questions about your transplant experience and your thoughts and feelings relating to your transplant. You will also be asked to complete a packet of questionnaires by mail.

About a week or two later, you may be invited to participate in Part II of the study, which will involve another set of phone interviews and either Writing Sessions or "CBT" Counseling Sessions.

Counseling Sessions and Writing Sessions

If you are offered the Counseling Sessions, you will have a 50:50 chance of receiving the counseling during the study, since it will be based on “random assignment,” which is similar to flipping a coin. If at first you don’t receive the counseling, you will have the option to receive it when you complete the study. The 10 sessions, about one hour each, will be conducted over the phone with a professional counselor, on one-on-one basis. The counselor will teach you well-established, simple methods of relaxation and coping skills designed to help you live more fully (see "What is CBT?").

Some participants may be asked to complete 2-3 Writing Sessions over the course of the study. If you participate in the Writing Sessions, you will be asked to write for 20 minutes each time about your thoughts and feelings related to your transplant.

To better understand how you’re doing as time goes on, we will schedule additional phone interviews to check in with you.

Why Should I Participate?

Although we cannot guarantee that you will benefit from participating in this study, BMT/SCT survivors have reported that discussing their experience with a supportive interviewer is helpful and decreases distress they may be experiencing. Likewise, people engaging in writing report doing so to be a positive experience.. Whether you feel you’re doing okay after your transplant or you still have some issues you’re coping with, your participation in this study will help us understand more about BMT/SCT survivors so we can better respond to their needs in the future.
If you are currently receiving therapy or counseling, you can still participate in the study.
Everyone who participates will be reimbursed for their time and travel costs during the study.

How Can I Participate?

If you:
* Had a bone marrow or stem cell transplant between 12 and 36 months ago
* Are over the age of 18 now and were at least 16 at the time of your transplant
* Have working telephone service
* Speak English
* Are not currently waiting for another transplant

You may be able to participate in the study.

Contact us if you are interested in learning more.