Dr. Jeremy Geffen and The Seven Levels of Healing ®

Dr. Jeremy Geffen thinks of his father -- who died in 1985, just four months after being diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer -- every single day.

“Going through a cancer journey with a loved one is an indelible experience that makes an imprint on your heart and mind that never goes away,” Dr. Geffen said. 

“For me, it was a turning point.  I recognized, with unmistakable clarity, that while conventional medicine is the bedrock of care that people with cancer need, there is so much more that can be done to help them as human beings, beyond surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.”

The oncologist’s cathartic experience with his father has informed every principle of his unique approach to helping patients and families, called The Seven Levels of Healing.  He developed these levels of healing into a formal education and support program over a decade of clinical practice, while providing guidance and care for thousands of patients and loved ones.  Since then, Dr. Geffen has trained health professionals in his approach at five cancer centers in Colorado, one in Kansas City and one in Arizona.  And he plans on adding many more.

“I believe we’ve ‘cracked the code” in terms of understanding how to help patients and loved ones navigate all aspects of the journey through cancer as skillfully and effectively as possible.”  Dr. Geffen said.  “Patients love it and family members are deeply grateful.  We have finally found a way to authentically care for patients as whole, human beings, while providing meticulous care for their physical well-being.”

In crafting his seven levels, Dr. Geffen began with two questions: What does it take for a human being to heal and transform at the deepest levels of the body, mind, heart, and spirit in the face of cancer? And how can we accomplish this within the context of mainstream cancer care?

“Not only have we answered these questions in a deeply inspiring and practical way [see seven levels below], we’ve found that this approach works for people everywhere, and from all walks of life,” said Dr. Geffen.  “The reason this works so well is that, as human beings, we are really all the same.  We all have bodies that need love, care, and attention; but we also all have minds, hearts, a spiritual dimension, and important relationships with others that need and deserve care and attention as well.  We also all have hopes, dreams and visions for our lives that are incredibly important -- especially in the face of a life-threatening illness such as cancer.  The Seven Levels of Healing is not only a model of how to take care of those with cancer.  It is a model of how to live each day honoring every dimension of ourselves as humans.”

Dr. Geffen’s extensive training, credentials, and expertise as an oncologist has been helpful in reaching doctors who might be skeptical about this kind of more expanded approach.

“I have been unwavering in emphasizing that we are not deviating from the highest standards of conventional medical care,” he said.  “But we know -- from numerous scientific studies as well as our own experience -- that patients are increasingly seeking out complementary and alternative approaches along with conventional care.  The Seven Levels of Healing addresses the myriad issues and concerns that patients and families are facing every day, in a very safe, clear, and common sense way.”

The response has been overwhelmingly positive from participants of the program, as well as from physicians and staff.  Dr. Geffen recently received a letter from the widow of a patient he had treated 15 years ago, thanking him for his devotion.  Another letter praised his compassion.  And a patient with colon cancer told Dr. Geffen he was tired of receiving a ‘menu of services’ flyer at every cancer center he visited.  He emphasized that ‘the menu is not the food” … and that he needed and wanted ‘the food’.  The Seven Levels of Healing provided that for him.

“Cancer touches every part of our being, in profound ways,” said Dr. Geffen.  “My job is to keep expanding our understanding and skill in helping doctors address the important needs and concerns of patients in a powerful, compassionate, and pro-active way, without skipping a beat in their cancer care.”

The Seven Levels of Healing

Education and Information provides basic knowledge and information about cancer and the latest treatment options.

Connection with Others focuses on the need for and benefits of a strong support network on the journey through cancer.

The Body as Garden explores the safe and effective use of evidence-based complementary therapies, and invites patients and families to regard the body as a sacred and wondrously complex garden, rather than just a machine.

Emotional Healing helps patients and families deal effectively with the emotional issues and challenges often encountered when dealing with cancer.

The Nature of Mind explores how our thoughts and beliefs, and the meanings we give to events, influence every aspect of our experience on the journey through cancer- and, indeed, life itself.

Life Assessment assists patients and family members to discover the deepest meaning and purpose in their lives, and their most important goals. What do we want to accomplish, experience, and share with others?

The Nature of Spirit connects patients and loved ones to the profoundly healing spiritual dimension of life we all share.

Dr. Jeremy Geffen’s book, The Journey Through Cancer: Healing and Transforming the Whole Person, describes his seven levels of healing in detail. For more information, visit www.geffenvisions.com