Simon van der Stap Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

Simon van der Stap

Simon van der Stap is a Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Counselling Academic Tutor. He holds a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy and a Graduate Diploma of Counselling, both from the Australian College of Applied Psychology, and has a special interest in supporting the mental health of people with Head and Neck cancer. In supporting patients and their families, Simon helps people to manage the ‘emotional rollercoaster’ of a cancer diagnosis and treatment with practical strategies for dealing with anxiety, intrusive thoughts, fears of cancer recurrence, and the difficult changes to speech, appearance and numerous other concerns. He enjoys helping people continue to do what is meaningful and important in their lives, despite the significant disruption caused by Head and Neck cancer. Simon has also worked extensively in Alcohol and Other Drugs, as well as in his private practice, focusing on substance use, anxiety and depressive disorders, communication and skills training, and managing life-changing events. He uses an integrated approach which includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Person-Centred Therapy. In a previous life, Simon was a professional actor for 30 years on the national and international stage, and is a graduate of NIDA. He has just completed a research degree at the University of Sydney on stage fright for Australian theatre actors, and is currently undertaking a PhD at USYD focusing on substance use and stage fright for Australian stand-up comedians.