Psychology Services
Licensed psychologists are fully integrated into the medical teams of the Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute and are available to support out patients. Referrals to Behavioral Medicine may be made by anyone on the medical team and appointments can be scheduled during inpatient admissions or in the Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute outpatient center. All psychologists provide evidence-driven therapies to support patients and families within the medical setting.
Common consult requests include:
- Coping related to diagnosis and treatment
- Medication/treatment adherence
- Pain management
- Mood concerns such as anxiety or depression
- Body image/aesthetic concerns
- Behavioral concerns
- Pill swallowing
- Procedural anxiety/phobia
We also offer services for our patients’ caregivers / spouses, family and children. These services include:
- Family and couples counseling to address changes in family roles / dynamics resulting from the patient’s medical diagnosis, and assess for emotional distress with referrals for services, when appropriate. Also provide help with communication between family members as well as the medical team.
- Relaxation training such as diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation for family / caregivers to address anxiety, poor sleep, and general emotional distress related to patient’s diagnosis and treatment demands.
- Educate for patients/families / caregivers to understand the effects of treatments and how they can help the patient cope.
- Support for the children patients and children of adult patients, who need help coping. The psychologists may assess the child’s behavior changes, offer counseling and, when appropriate, refer to child Psychiatry.
For more information or to find out if speaking to a psychologist would be beneficial to you or your family, please contact Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology (BMCP) at 513-636-0515.
