Psychiatry & Psychology

Psychiatry and Psychology Services

Psychiatry and Psychology Services are available for patients who have difficulties or stress that are not entirely taken care of with medical or social work care. Specialized medication, coping skills, imagery, and behavioral techniques are some of the many options available for managing stress, depression, anxiety, pain, nausea, eating or sleeping difficulty, or other issues that are common during illness and treatment.

Background
The Psychiatry & Psychology Service was initially developed in 1985 at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to assist patients with cancer with their psychosocial needs.

The Psychiatry & Psychology Service provides direct consultation and ongoing mental health care to all the SCCA clinics. Our goal is to facilitate education, communication, and collaboration with the oncologists, physician assistants, nurses, social workers, and other health-care providers in the recognition and treatment of the psychosocial needs of our patients.

We perform comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and use evidence-based interventions to treat a variety of psychosocial issues that arise in the context of medical illness.

Services
The Psychiatry & Psychology Service provides integrated outpatient psychiatry and psychology coverage Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.

We can provide timely consultations to the oncology services at the SCCA for the psychiatric or behavioral needs of our patients. Consultations are initiated by the treatment team and may range from a one-time visit to ongoing psychiatric care that may include eventual referral to other community resources.

Depending on the needs of the patient and the treatment team, we will perform either a focused or a comprehensive initial psychiatric assessment.

Evidence-based Treatment Modalities used by our consultants include:

• Crisis intervention
• Pharmacotherapy
• Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy
• Behavioral management
• Desensitization
• Relaxation & imagery
• Hypnosis
• Patient education
• Treatment team care conferences

Reasons for referrals (examples):

• Past or ongoing psychiatric issues
• Psychiatric medication issues (e.g., appropriateness, interactions)
• Depression
• Anxiety / panic attacks
• Medical phobias (e.g. medical procedures)
• Food aversions
• Anger / irritability
• Sleep difficulties
• Delirium
• Confusion / cognitive problems
• Compliance problems
• Decision-making difficulties
• Loss and grief
• Behavioral problems
• Substance abuse
• Tobacco use

Inpatient Consultations
Psychiatric consultations for SCCA inpatients are provided by the UW Medical Center Psychiatry Consultation-Liaison Service.  Our outpatient and inpatient services work closely together to ensure strong communication and continuity of care.

Consultants

Jesse Fann, MD, MPH
Psychiatrist, Service Director
Telephone: (206) 288-1030
Email: fann@u.washington.edu

Mitch Levy
Psychiatrist 
Telephone: (206) 288-1029
Email: mrlevy@u.washington.edu

Ryan Kimmel, MD
Psychiatrist
Telephone: (206) 288-1030 
Email: rjkimmel@u.washington.edu

Karen Syrjala, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Telephone: (206) 288-1029
Email: ksyrjala@fhcrc.org

Steven Vannoy, PhD, MPH
Clinical Psychologist
Telephone: (206) 288-1029 
Email: svannoy@u.washington.edu

Sylvie Aubin, PhD 
Clinical Psychologist
Telephone: (206) 288-1447
Email: saubin@u.washington.edu

For further information, speak with a social worker after you arrive at SCCA or contact Jesse Fann, MD, MPH by phone (206) 288-1030 or email fann@u.washington.edu. 

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center News articles: http://www.fhcrc.org/about/pubs/center_news/2005/apr7/sart3.html http://www.fhcrc.org/science/clinical/ltfu/news/article7.html http://www.fhcrc.org/about/pubs/center_news/2005/oct6/sart4.html http://www.fhcrc.org/about/ne/news/2005/09/16/life_quality.html

Read this story about our Psychiatry and Psychology Services.

Read more about the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Biobehavioral Sciences Division.

April 2008