OUR program
A cancer diagnosis creates waves and ripples that reach far beyond a single person - into families, finances, and the everyday moments of life.
Flatwater covers the full cost of 40 mental health therapy sessions, so financial stress is never what stands between someone and the support they need to heal.
finding your flatwater
Our Program
We believe mental health support is essential for anyone affected by cancer at any stage of the journey. From diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, or end of life, we recognize the ripple effect a cancer diagnosis has on individuals, couples, and families.
No matter where someone is in that journey, financial stressors follows close behind - the loss of financial security or stability that so often accompanies a cancer diagnosis, and the strain or fear that can come with it. Flatwater removes that barrier, covering the cost of therapy so those navigating the emotional and financial challenges of cancer can access the support they need.
why mental health support matters
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A cancer diagnosis can evoke a wide range of emotions, including fear, anxiety, anger, and sadness. Therapy provides a safe space for family members to express their feelings and process complex emotions associated with the diagnosis.
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Mental health professionals can support individuals and families in building effective coping strategies to manage stress and emotional turmoil. These strategies can help family members navigate their feelings and support each other better.
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A cancer diagnosis can strain family dynamics. Therapy encourages open communication, helping family members express their concerns and listen to each other. This can strengthen family bonds during challenging times.
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Grief is a natural response to the experience of loss. There are many losses that can be felt throughout the cancer journey. Because the grief experience is uniquely individual and has no timeline, having the space to explore feelings when they arise can be helpful.
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Therapists can provide information about the psychological impacts of cancer, helping families understand what to expect emotionally and psychologically throughout the journey.
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Therapy helps families understand that their feelings are a natural response to a distressing situation. This validation can be incredibly comforting and reduce feelings of isolation.
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With support from mental health professionals, families can build resilience, enhancing their ability to cope with the challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis.n
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Therapists can assist individuals and families in connecting with additional resources, such as support groups, educational programs, and community services, providing a holistic approach to care.
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Family roles may shift when a member is diagnosed with cancer. Therapists can help families navigate these changes, ensuring that responsibilities and expectations are understood and accepted.
We break down financial barrierS to mental health support by covering the cost of therapy.
How it works
People find Flatwater through a variety of channels. Some are referred by our formal program partners, such as Texas Oncology or Wonders & Worries, while others learn about us through community connections.
To qualify for our program, the following criteria must be met:
you Are seeking mental health services for cancer related needs
financial stressors would otherwise limit your access to mental health therapy
You reside within one of the Central Texas areas we serve
Areas we serve
Program participants must reside in one of the following Central Texas counties:
Bastrop
Bell
Blanco
Burnet
Caldwell
Hays
Lee
Milam
Travis
Williamson
Our Process
If you qualify, we will provide you with profiles of therapists who are well-suited to your needs and accepting referrals.
Complete the Interest Form on the Get Care page of our website.
After scheduling your first appointment, the therapist will notify us within three business days, and we’ll log the match in our system.
You choose which therapist you'd like to move forward with.
Thanks to our amazing donors, 100% of the cost of therapy is covered.
Participants receive up to 40 sessions paid for by Flatwater throughout their lifetime. You’re not required to use all sessions at once.
We can support a limited number of program participants at any given time. When we reach our funding capacity, we maintain a waiting list for those interested in our program.
We have created a network of licensed psychotherapists that specialize in trauma and cancer-related stressors and that meet Flatwater standards.
the Flatwater network providers
Flatwater is not a mental health practice and does not directly provide therapy services, but we do connect people directly or indirectly impacted by cancer with mental health therapists in our community and fund those services. Flatwater network therapists are not volunteers or Flatwater employees, they are licensed psychotherapists (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, PhD, and others) whom we have a formal agreement in place with to provide service(s). We pay each provider a standardized rate to ensure proper attention is given to each and every program participant.
If you are a licensed therapist interested in learning more about our provider network, please view our Provider page.
We are only able to pay providers who are in the Flatwater Provider network.
our Program partners
We collaborate closely with a network of program partners at top cancer institutions and organizations in Central Texas to help us identify those who can benefit from support in our community. This helps us in maximizing our reach to those who may not otherwise have heard of Flatwater.
We serve as a resource to our program partners by receiving referrals directly from them for people that can benefit from our program’s services.
The Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC) offers individualized, client-centered care from the time of diagnosis, through treatment, and into survivorship. Through their pillars of support - Guidance, Education, & Peer Support Groups, BCRC’s Certified Patient Navigators, who are all breast cancer survivors themselves, empower those affected by breast cancer to become active and knowledgeable participants in their healthcare.
With an extensive network of cancer specialists, leading-edge technology and robust research, Texas Oncology offers Texans the most advanced cancer treatments for the best possible outcomes. Flatwater partners with Texas Oncology Social Workers in Central Texas to help patients and families that can benefit from Flatwater’s support.
The Dell Children’s Blood & Cancer Center (CBCC) is the only comprehensive children's cancer center in Central Texas. The CBCC offers a healing place for children and their families in need of highly advanced care for pediatric cancers and blood disorders.
Wonders & Worries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free, professional support to children and teenagers during a parent’s serious illness or injury. Wonders & Worries’ expert child life professionals ensure that children and teenagers can reach their full potential, despite a parent’s serious illness or injury. Services are available in English and Spanish.
