Adolescents who have a parent who has been diagnosed with cancer are at risk for developing negative coping mechanisms because of their high emotional vulnerability and level of cognition. They can respond internally by becoming anxious or depressed, but may also exhibit external behavior problems such as alcohol use.

This thesis is a curriculum that combines knowledge of cancer as a disease process, the various cognitive and behavioral responses to a cancer diagnosis, and evidenced based practices. The evidenced based practices promote learning and coping in order to form a series of sessions that seek to give adolescents the skills necessary to cope with their parent's diagnosis. This curriculum addresses the topics of (a) cancer and its treatments, (b) coping mechanisms, and (c) leaning on current supports. It was designed to be used in a hospital or outpatient setting while the parent is undergoing treatments.