My name is Sofya Sahakyan, and I am a clinical psychologist working at the National Center of Oncology in Yerevan, Armenia, within the psychosocial team of the palliative care department. I work with patients facing advanced cancer and life-limiting illness, as well as their families, supporting them through emotional distress, existential concerns, grief, and end-of-life experiences.

My clinical responsibilities include psychological assessment, individual and family counseling, and evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions adapted to palliative oncology settings. I support patients experiencing anxiety, depression, anticipatory grief, and distress related to disease progression, while also working closely with caregivers in coping with burden, loss, and bereavement. As part of a multidisciplinary team, I contribute to holistic care where dignity, meaning, and quality of life remain central even in advanced illness.

My path into this field began through volunteering, at a time when structured psychosocial oncology services were still developing in Armenia. This experience shaped my professional direction and later led to my current position. Over the past two years in palliative care, I have developed a strong commitment to psychosocial oncology and existential support in serious illness. Alongside this, I have worked with forcibly displaced individuals from Artsakh, as well as diverse populations including children with special needs and individuals with disordered eating. These experiences have reinforced my belief in accessible, compassionate psychological care across vulnerable groups.

A central aspect of my work is communication at the end of life. I recall a patient who had stopped communicating with his family due to a perceived lack of honesty about his diagnosis. Through ongoing therapeutic work, he was able to express his fears about death, emotional pain, and sense of isolation. I later facilitated dialogue with his family, which helped restore a more open and supportive connection. Although the patient passed away shortly afterward, this period allowed for emotional expression, reconciliation, and reduced isolation—an outcome that reflects the deeper meaning of palliative care beyond survival.

In Armenia, psychosocial oncology remains an emerging field. Awareness of psychological needs in cancer care is limited, and discussions around death and dying are often avoided. Many patients present at advanced stages, and structured psychosocial services are still developing. 

I am also engaged in research, including a poster presentation titled “Supporting the Supporters: Psychological Self-Regulation Practices and Staff Wellbeing in a Palliative Care Clinic,” which reflects my interest in healthcare provider resilience and burnout prevention.

IPOS has been an important source of professional growth for me by providing access to a global community of psycho-oncology professionals. It allows me to learn from diverse clinical experiences and approaches, which is especially valuable in my work in a developing psychosocial oncology setting. I have also benefited significantly from IPOS webinars, which offer up-to-date, evidence-based knowledge that I can directly integrate into my clinical practice. In addition, the mentorship program with Dr. Arati Hota was an especially meaningful experience for me, providing guidance, reflection, and support in my professional development as a clinician working in palliative care.

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to [email protected] with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. Description: How does IPOS contribute to your career growth?
8. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.