Recognizing that serious illnesses and diseases have strong behavioral and lifestyle components, the Department of Psychology established a second graduate program, a doctor of philosophy (PhD) in clinical health psychology, which will commence classes this fall.

Peter Kaplan, chair and professor of psychology, says the department “responded to a strong need in the community and to a growing trend nationally in linking psychology with medicine.

“Our vision is to train scientist-practitioners to both generate new knowledge through research and apply what is known to helping people who are facing serious illness,” says Kaplan. “Psychologists are now often a part of medical teams that work to not only treat diseases, but also to help the affected people and their families have a better quality of life.”

Although their primary focus is disease, these psychologists also develop strategies to help patients who are already ill manage diseases that vary from diabetes to organ failure. Treatments range from teaching patients to manage the side effects of therapies to helping them prepare for medical procedures.

The department will partner with various health organizations in the community for doctoral students to complete their 1,200 clinical hours. Students will work in an assortment of settings, from cancer or pain centers to nonprofit clinics or major hospitals.

“In many diseases life stress may be associated with poorer outcomes and social support with better outcomes,” says Kaplan. “Programs to reduce stress, encourage exercise, stop smoking and drinking, improve diet, etc., can be a useful part of a comprehensive approach to treating disease, along with the best therapies medicine has to offer.”

For information, visit www.cudenver.edu/psychology.

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