Psychology Services at Siteman Cancer Center

Siteman Cancer Center includes psychology services for patients and their caretakers as part of their cancer treatment. If you feel you might have symptoms of distress, especially if they last longer than a few days or if you’re having difficulty sleeping, eating or other symptoms – you can reach out to us at any time. 

Call 314-747-5587



Cancer affects far more than the body. The ability to navigate treatment while living life all influence the cancer experience. That’s why Siteman Cancer Center includes psychology services for patients and their caregivers as part of cancer treatment. Psychological treatment, or psychotherapy, included at no extra cost to patients, and they can pursue them at any point during treatment at Siteman. We conduct all appointments through telehealth to make getting the help you need as convenient as possible.

WashU Medicine licensed clinical psychologists hold doctorates in clinical psychology and specialize in psychosocial oncology, the study and treatment of psychological, emotional, and behavioral components of cancer care. As part of Siteman’s multidisciplinary care team, they specialize in treating cancer patients. They understand the waiting periods, the treatment cycles, and the common issues that come up outside of the doctor’s office.

Psychologists at Siteman Cancer Center address the emotional parts of the disease to ease treatment and improve recovery – and they lead research into this field of medicine to uncover richer insights into coping mechanisms and related outcomes. They have experience treating patients with all types of cancer, so patients and caregivers going through cancer can have a higher quality of life.

What Siteman Psychology Services Does 

Siteman Psychology Services supports mental health concerns related to cancer at any point during the cancer experience. They help address the psychological impact of cancer, from diagnosis to treatment and through cancer survivorship.

We also help people who mentally feel resilient. Our individual and group therapy can help build on an individual’s strengths so they can prepare for anything that comes up during or after cancer treatment.

Our psychologists collaborate as part of the multidisciplinary care team at Siteman by working with medical teams and specialists in case management, financial counseling, genetic counseling, and spiritual care.

Our services include:  

  • Therapy and psychoeducation for cancer related mental health concerns.
  • Referrals to specific resources.
  • Teaching coping skills, problem solving, and providing an outlet for talking about difficulties.
  • Connecting patients and their caregivers to support groups, peer support, and other relevant community resources.

For a consult with the Siteman Psychology Service, you can talk to your physician for a referral or call us directly at 314-747-5587.

Online Psychology Resources from Siteman

Cancer-Related Fatigue: What It Is and How to Manage It

Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer and cancer treatment, yet it’s often misunderstood. In this video, Siteman psychologist Dr. Jennifer Romo explains what cancer-related fatigue is, why it happens, how it differs from everyday tiredness, and evidence-based strategies to help manage symptoms, conserve energy, and improve quality of life during and after treatment.

Understanding Sleep Disruptions During Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatment can affect more than just the body—it can also disrupt healthy sleep. In this video, Siteman psychologist Dr. David Morris explains why sleep problems are common during and after cancer treatment, how they impact emotional and physical well-being, and practical strategies to help patients get the rest they need throughout their cancer journey.

This is Cancer Podcast – Episode 18: Mind over Cancer

Cancer throws a lot of challenges – physical and mental – at patients. It can impact many areas of life, whether it’s deciding if or how to tell loved ones, how to navigate relationship changes or even dealing with depression or anxiety. Licensed clinical psychologist Jessica Vanderlan, PhD, returns to the show to discuss these effects and how to boost mental and emotional well-being. The head of psychological counseling at Siteman Cancer Center, she emphasizes the need to prioritize mental health and offers insight and hope for patients and family members alike.

Common Symptoms We Address for Patients 

It is normal to feel different levels of distress when facing cancer diagnosis and treatment, and we can help manage them as part of your care. A patient does not need to have an anxiety disorder or clinical depression to seek our services. 

Patients might also experience different types of concerns at different stages in their cancer journey. The following issues frequently arise in sessions with the patients we have treated.  

Right after diagnosis, patients often wonder:  

  • Will I survive?  
  • How much will treatment change me? 
  • Will things ever be normal again?  
  • How will I care for my family, work, and other responsibilities while going through treatment?  

Immediately before or during treatment, patients might ask:  

  • What kind of pain or side effects will I experience? 
  • Will the treatment work?  
  • What will my stay in the hospital be like?  
  • What happens if the treatment doesn’t go as planned? 

After treatment or during remission, patients might feel:  

  • Difficulty letting go of the careful monitoring that their care team provided 
  • Difficulty coping on their own 
  • Afraid of the cancer coming back or developing another type of cancer 
  • Traumatized by treatment that might develop into PTSD  

At any point during cancer treatment, patients often struggle with:  

  • Depression and anxiety
  • Feeling like a burden to the family 
  • Fear of recurrence 
  • Fear of side effects from treatment 
  • Loss of control 
  • Trouble sleeping and eating 
  • Coping with infertility or sexual dysfunction 
  • Self-esteem or body image insecurities 
  • Financial stress 
  • Fatigue 
  • Memory loss or brain fog 

If any of these concerns resonate with you, do not hesitate to reach out to our Psychology Services team. These services are included at no extra cost to patients, and they can pursue them at any point during treatment at Siteman.  

How We Help Caregivers 

Family, friends, and caregivers face different challenges when helping their loved ones with cancer. Caregivers need support just as much as cancer patients – and by pursuing mental health treatment, you can show up better for them.  

We often hear caregivers express:  

  • Anticipatory grief 
  • Burnout 
  • Relationship strain 
  • Financial stress 
  • Guilt about having their own needs 
  • Not knowing what to say or do 

At Siteman, the care team assigned to your loved one understands your needs are part of the patient’s care, too. Do not hesitate to call us or talk to their doctor for a referral if you are interested in mental health therapy at Siteman Cancer Center.  

Frequently Asked Questions

You can reach out to us at any point during your treatment at Siteman Cancer Center, even if you don’t feel like your symptoms are significant.  

We especially encourage patients and caregivers to reach out if their feelings of distress last longer than normal or if they lose interest in the things that they once loved. 

We also help with unforeseen impacts of treatment, such as difficulty sleeping or eating. Do not hesitate to talk to your physician for a referral or call us directly. 

Our Siteman Psychology Services team offers the following modalities:  

  • Talk therapy 
  • Mindfulness interventions
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) 

We conduct all our appointments via telehealth. Meeting virtually allows you to receive convenient treatment at home, and eliminate commute time. 

We hold our sessions through a secure portal where your information remains private between you and your health provider.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 314-747-5587.

No. Psychologists at Siteman Cancer Center treat adults, aged 18 and older.

Learn more about other support services we offer at Siteman Kids.

No, the Siteman Psychology Services team does not prescribe medication, but patients can speak directly with their oncology teams about medication or can be referred to the Oncologic Psychiatry Service. 

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