Psycho-Oncology


Psycho-Oncology - Peter Mac Cancer Centre


Psycho-oncology at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre comprises the following:
  • Department of Psychiatry
  • Department of Clinical Psychology
  • Psycho-oncology Research Unit (PRU)

Patient Care
Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists work closely together to provide all aspects of psycho-oncology care including counselling and psychotherapy to patients and their families to address significant emotional adjustment concerns following a diagnosis of cancer and associated treatment effects and lifetime adjustment concerns. Treatment medication for depression, anxiety and other difficulties as well as assessments of the effects of cancer treatments on thinking, memory and mood state are part of our clinical role for both inpatients and outpatients at Peter Mac.

Research
The Psycho-oncology Research Unit is staffed by Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists and conducts research at Peter Mac and other cancer centres into detection, assessment and management of psychological and psychiatric difficulties in a cancer setting.



How can we help you? >>
Who can be seen? >>
How do I make an appointment? >>
How much does it cost? >>
What if I need an interpreter? >>
Contact us >>
Staff >>

How can we help you?
Clinical psychologists and psychiatrists have specialist training in both assessment and provision of treatment and therapy for emotional distress caused by cancer.

Some of the questions and concerns people bring when they see us include:

  • How do I adjust to having cancer?
  • How do I live with the uncertainty of cancer?
  • How can I accept the changes to my body?
  • Will my relationship ever be the same?
  • Why did cancer happen to me?
  • I am worrying my cancer will come back - is that normal?
  • What are my life priorities now I've had cancer?
  • How do I communicate better with my children about cancer? (or partner/friends)?
  • How do I learn to relax/sleep better?
  • How do I adjust to having cancer?
  • How do I keep cancer in perspective?
  • How can I improve my relationship intimacy?
  • How can I manage my depression? (feeling low, hopeless, crying a lot)
  • What can I do to feel less anxious? (panic attacks, worry, anticipatory nausea)
  • How do I make treatment decisions? (for example whether or not to have a mastectomy).

We provide an opportunity for you to discuss and explore your experience of cancer. We adapt our therapy to your individual need and can provide individual, couple and group therapy as appropriate.

We work together with you to strengthen coping strategies to better manage your illness and deal effectively with your concerns. Some of the therapeutic styles we may use include: cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), mindfulness therapy, existential therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

Where appropriate our psychiatrists help you manage any pre-existing psychiatric disorders during your treatment at Peter Mac. In conjunction with counselling from a psychologist, the psychiatrist can prescribe antidepressants and other medications to take to help with anxiety, depression and other psychiatric problems.


Who can be seen?
The Departments of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry provide a wide-range of psychological services to people with cancer and their partners or families for inpatients, outpatients and former Peter Mac patients.

Making an appointment
You can telephone the Department of Clinical Psychology directly during business hours to make an appointment.

How much does it cost?
This is a free service

What if I need an interpreter?
Please let the staff know if you require an interpreter for your appointment and this service can be arranged for you.

Contact us
The Psycho-oncology Department is located on Level 4 in the Centre Crank Building at Peter Mac East Melbourne.

Patient clinic appointments are held in the Outpatients Department on the ground floor.

Contact telephone number for the Department of Clinical Psychology: 03 9656 3574.


Email: ClinicalPsychology@petermac.org or

Email: Psychiatry@petermac.org

Staff
Clinical Psychology
Tessa Jones
Clinical Psychologist
Head of Department
BA, BLitt (Hons), MPsych, MAPS, Member Clinical College

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY
Clinical Psychology
Dr Maria Ftanou
Clinical Psychologist
BAppSc (Hons), DPsych (Clinical), MAPS

THURSDAY (AM), FRIDAY
Clinical Psychology
Dr Ann Boonzaier
Clinical Psychologist
BA (Hons) MA (Psychology) D Psych (Clinical), MAPS

Currently on Maternity Leave Until June 2010
Clinical Psychology
Justine Diggens
Clinical Psychologist
BSc (Hons Psych), MA (Clinical Psychology), MAPS

FULL TIME
Clinical Psychology
Dr Enza DePino
Psychologist
BAppSc, Postgrad Dip Psych

FULL TIME
Clinical Psychology
Dr Kate Neilson
Clinical Psychologist
BBSc (Hons), DPsych (Clinical)

TUESDAY - FRIDAY
Clinical Psychology
Annabel Pollard
Clinical Research Fellow
RN, BA, Grad. Dip App Psych, M Psych (Clinical) MAPS, Member Clinical College

WEDNESDAY
Psychiatry
Dr Jeremy Couper
Head Of Psychiatry
M.B.,B.S., M.D., M.Med (Psych), F.R.A.N.Z.C.P.

WEDNESDAY,
THURSDAY,
FRIDAY (pm)

Psychiatry
Dr Mat Gelman
Consultant Psychiatrist
M.B.,B.S., F.R.A.N.Z.C.P

MONDAY
Psychiatry
Dr Greg White
Consultant Psychiatrist
M.B., B.S., F.R.A.N.Z.C.P.

TUESDAY
THURSDAY(am)

Psychiatry
Senior Registrar AND
Junior Registrar

MONDAY - FRIDAY