Taking Up Space for Your Healing: What FEMS Should Know About Therapy

Have you ever wondered if therapy might help, but weren't quite sure where to start — or whether you even "needed" it enough to reach out? You're not alone. For many in our FEMS community, that hesitation is real. That's why we connected with Candice Tummillo of Candice Tummillo Therapy & Counseling to get her honest, grounded answers to the questions we hear most. Here's what she had to say.

Candice
Tummillo

1: What inspired you to create your practice?

I was inspired to create my practice by a deep recognition of the emotional and psychological impact cancer has on every aspect of a person’s life. Not only during treatment, but long after diagnosis and into survivorship.

Through my clinical work in oncology care, I witnessed how often individuals were expected to navigate profound fear, grief, identity shifts, and uncertainty with limited access to specialized emotional support. I recognized the need for a dedicated space where these experiences could be met with clinical expertise, attuned care, and an understanding of the full cancer journey.

I created my practice to close that gap, to offer a place where patients and survivors feel genuinely seen, supported, and understood, and where the psychological and existential dimensions of cancer receive the same attention as the medical aspects of care.

At its core, my work is grounded in the belief that healing is not only about managing illness, but about helping people reconnect with meaning, stability, and a sense of self throughout and beyond their treatment experience.

2: What advice would you give to FEMS who are thinking about therapy?

I would encourage FEMS considering therapy to know that support does not need to be reserved for moments of crisis. Therapy can be a valuable resource for addressing emotional distress, navigating life transitions, and deepening self-understanding at any stage of one’s experience.

It is important to select a clinician who is a strong therapeutic fit, someone who offers both clinical expertise and a sense of safety, trust, and attunement. The quality of the therapeutic relationship is a key factor in meaningful and effective treatment, and it is appropriate to ask questions and explore different providers to ensure alignment.

Beginning therapy may feel unfamiliar or vulnerable, particularly at first. Over time, however, it often becomes a structured and supportive space in which individuals can process complex emotions, develop effective coping strategies, and gain clarity in areas that may feel overwhelming or uncertain.

Ultimately, engaging in therapy reflects a commitment to one’s psychological well-being and can serve as an important step toward resilience, insight, and sustained personal growth.

3: For those looking for a therapist, what advice would you give them? 

For individuals seeking a therapist, I would encourage them to begin by considering both clinical expertise and relational fit. Effective therapy is grounded not only in a provider’s credentials and specialization but also in the trust, safety, and connection experienced within the therapeutic relationship.

It can be helpful to look for a clinician whose training and experience align with your specific needs, whether related to anxiety, trauma, illness, grief, or life transitions. At the same time, pay attention to how you feel in early conversations, whether you feel heard, respected, and understood.

I would also emphasize that it is appropriate to ask questions before committing to care. Inquiring about a therapist’s approach, experience, and structure of treatment can support a more informed and confident decision.

Finally, I would remind individuals that finding the right therapist may take time. It is acceptable to meet with more than one provider before deciding, and it is equally acceptable to change providers if the fit does not feel right. 

Choosing therapy is an important step toward well-being, and it should feel both intentional and supported.

4: How do you know you have found the right therapist? 

You know you have found the right therapist when there is a strong clinical and relational fit that supports both safety and therapeutic progress over time.

Early in treatment, you should experience a sense of psychological safety. Feeling that you can speak openly without fear of judgment, dismissal, or minimization. The therapist demonstrates attunement, active listening, and the ability to understand and reflect your concerns in a way that feels accurate and meaningful.

As the therapeutic relationship develops, there is typically a sense of collaboration and direction in the work. Sessions feel structured and purposeful, and there is clarity around goals, even as they evolve. You should feel appropriately supported and, when clinically indicated, gently challenged in ways that promote insight and growth.

Another key indicator is responsiveness to the therapeutic process itself. A well-matched therapist is open to feedback, willing to discuss the working relationship, and able to adjust their approach when needed to better support your needs.

Over time, you may notice measurable changes such as improved emotional regulation, increased insight, greater coping capacity, and a reduced sense of isolation in relation to your experiences.

Ultimately, the right therapeutic fit is reflected in a consistent sense of trust, clinical competence, and relational safety that facilitates meaningful and sustained therapeutic progress.

5: Final advice for FEMS in your community who are contemplating therapy? 

My final advice for FEMS in my community contemplating therapy is to view it as a proactive and intentional step toward emotional and psychological well-being, rather than something reserved for moments of crisis.

Therapy offers a structured space to process life experiences, reduce distress, and develop more effective ways of coping with challenges. It is also a setting in which deeper patterns can be understood and meaningful, sustained change can take place over time.

I would encourage my community FEMS to prioritize both clinical expertise and therapeutic fit when selecting a provider. Feeling safe, understood, and respected is essential to the effectiveness of the work, and it is appropriate to take time in finding a therapist who aligns with your needs and goals.

It is also important to recognize that beginning therapy can involve vulnerability and adjustment. However, a well-matched therapeutic relationship should ultimately provide consistency, support, and a clear sense of direction.

Above all, seeking therapy is a deliberate investment in one’s well-being. It reflects a commitment to self-understanding, resilience, and the possibility of living with greater clarity and psychological flexibility.

Candice Tummillo Therapy & Counseling LLC

729 East Pratt Street, Ste 560

Baltimore, MD 21202

Licensed in MD, NJ, PA, WA 

Phone: 443-401-4075

Email: Therapy@ctummillo.com

Web: candicetummillo.com