"Psychiatrist David Spiegel was the first to demonstrate that group support for cancer patients results in significantly enhanced survival times and in measurably greater quality of life - less anxiety, less depression and half as much pain.

His landmark research was initially published in The Lancet and later featured on Bill Moyers' PBS series Healing and the Mind; now, with psychologist Catherine Classen, he articulates the principles of conducting supportive-expressive group treatment with the medically ill.".

"Their book is rooted in the empirically validated conviction that meaningful social support is a vital link between medical care and disease outcome. It is at once a model, a manual for clinicians at every level and a celebration of a kind of helping that actually helps."--BOOK JACKET.