Pediatric Oncology - Psychology Services
Child life, social workers and nursing staff regularly provide psychosocial support to children undergoing cancer treatment and their families, but there are times when a consult with our psychology staff would be helpful. Typically this is when mental or behavioral health concerns become acute or interfere with treatment.
Psychology services
Our psychologists (or psychology postdoctoral fellows or interns) can:
- Consult with your family and your child's medical team on behavioral health issues
- Offer ongoing inpatient or outpatient therapy for psychological issues related to cancer treatment
- Make referrals to community psychologists or psychiatrists, including emergency referrals if needed
- Evaluate suicidal thinking, should it ever occur
- Strategize with your child's treatment team when mental or behavioral health issues interfere with the delivery or acceptance of optimal medical care
- Conduct a neurocognitive evaluation if your child's ability to think, reason or learn has been impacted by cancer treatment
Situations in which a psychology consult may be recommended
- Persistent, intense distress. A patient expresses persistent, intense distress that interferes with his quality of life or ability to access medical care. Children may experience withdrawal, throw tantrums, have difficulty eating or sleeping, or refuse to comply with recommended treatment.
- Distress or pain related to treatments or procedures. A patient experiences intense distress or pain during procedures or other aspects of treatment that interferes with her quality of life or ability to access medical care.
- Disease-related pain. A patient experiences persistent, intense disease-related pain that interferes with his quality of life or ability to access medical care.
- School refusal. A patient refuses to attend school when she has been medically cleared and is physically capable of going to school.
- Poor adherence. A patient does not follow medical recommendations.
- Patient’s safety. There are concerns about the patient’s safety because of statements or behaviors.
- Psychological disorder. A patient has a known or suspected history of a psychological disorder such as ADHD, anxiety ordepression that interferes with his quality of life or ability to access medical care.
- Developmental disorder. A patient has a known or suspected history of a developmental or communication disorder such as Down Syndrome or autism that interferes with her quality of life or ability to access medical care.
- General consultation. Psychology staff can consult with the care team to help them support families in difficult situations, such families experiencing intense distress or conflicts, or communication problems.
For more information about our services or how to access them, please email
Dr. Lamia Barakat, PhD, director of Psychosocial Services, or call 877-403-2149.
Contact Us
For more information about our services or how to access them.
- 877-403-2149
- Contact Us Online