Background/rationale: While there is increasing recognition of the need for support services for children of cancer patients, there is little consensus on what approach these services should take. Should providers encourage open and honest communication by talking to children about their parent's cancer, including the type of cancer, stage, and life expectancy? Would it be more effective to tread carefully and ask the child what they would like to know about their parent’s illness? Should we teach children skills for coping with the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty of having a parent with cancer? Methods: When providing psycho-oncology support services to families, the authors have discovered that children of cancer patients are often seeking an opportunity to talk about life issues not related to their parent’s cancer. As the parent with cancer and their family members may be busy coping with the illness and its treatment, many children crave a space to talk with a caring adult about their friend groups, crushes, favorite anime characters, school activities, hobbies, interests, hopes, and fears. Following the insights of Virginia Axline, the authors have applied child-centered interventions that allow children of cancer patients to express themselves freely and choose the direction of their therapy, while still encouraging open communication about their parent’s illness. Impact on practice: Helping children of cancer patients to share and explore their unique life experiences in their own way fosters the development of a strong sense of self that will guide them as they face the challenges that come with having a parent with cancer. Discussion: The discussion will highlight specific therapeutic interventions and techniques that have proven successful for working with children of cancer patients.