IPOS News

"As an early-career researcher, IPOS provides the international exposure I need to grow in the field of psycho-oncology. Its global network and events provide valuable opportunities to learn from leading researchers, stay informed about emerging evidence, and strengthen my capacity to conduct rigorous research. This is especially meaningful for advancing evidence-based psychosocial care in developing countries like Indonesia, where the field is still growing. Through IPOS, I hope not only to build my own expertise but also to help bring international best practices to my local context."

I am a researcher with a strong interest in psycho-oncology, health, and well-being. My current work at the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Padjadjaran focuses on developing psychosocial interventions for children with leukemia and their caregivers. Based in Indonesia, I am particularly motivated to improve access to evidence-based psychosocial care in resource-limited settings.

As a member of IPOS, I hope to learn from the global psycho-oncology community, exchange ideas with researchers from around the world, and adapt international best practices to my local context. Outside of research, I am passionate about the arts, particularly painting, poetry, and music. In my free time, I write poetry, play the guitar, and sketch portraits of the people closest to me. I sometimes give these hand-drawn portraits to them as personal, handmade gifts.

Interested in being featured in the IPOS Member Profile section?

• We invite IPOS members to share their professional journey, experiences in psycho-oncology, perspectives from their country or culture, and their connection to IPOS.

  Your responses will help introduce the field of psycho-oncology to a wider audience and highlight the important work being done around the world.

  Please email the following to [email protected] with the subject line “IPOS Member Profile Submission”.

  Personal & Professional Information

  • Full Name:

  • Employment Position/Title:

  • Employer/Institution:

  • Country:

  • Twitter/X Handle:(if available)

  • Photo: Please attach a high-quality JPG photo of yourself.

  Your Psycho-Oncology Journey

  1. What first drew you to psycho-oncology, and what has your journey in the field looked like?

  2. For someone who has never heard the term “psycho-oncology,” how would you explain what it is and why it is an important part of cancer care?

  3. What is one aspect of psycho-oncology that you wish more patients, healthcare professionals, or the general public understood?

  Psycho-Oncology Around the World

  4. How is psycho-oncology understood and practiced in your country or region?

  5. What cultural, social, healthcare, or other factors influence how psychological and psychosocial needs are addressed in cancer care where you work?

  6. What progress have you seen in psycho-oncology in your country or region, and what challenges still need to be addressed?

  Your Connection with IPOS

  7. How has your involvement with IPOS influenced your professional journey or your work in psycho-oncology?

  8. Can you share a specific experience, opportunity, collaboration, educational resource, or other aspect of your involvement with IPOS that has made a difference in your work?

  Looking Ahead

  9. What changes would you most like to see in psycho-oncology and cancer care in the coming years?

  10. What role do you believe IPOS can play in advancing awareness, education, research, collaboration, and access to psycho-oncology internationally?

  Something Personal

  11. Tell us something fun, unexpected, or interesting about yourself that you would like the IPOS community to know.(Optional)

  Please answer each question in your own words. Your responses should be clear and complete, as they may be published as submitted as part of your IPOS Member Profile.

  Please submit responses to at least 6 questions below (preferably all)

"Joining IPOS represents an opportunity to continue growing within a global community committed to excellence in psychosocial oncology. Through its educational resources, research collaborations, and international network, IPOS supports my ongoing professional development while inspiring me to contribute to improving cancer care in Latin America. I value being part of a multidisciplinary community that shares knowledge, promotes evidence-based practice, and places patients and their families at the center of care."

I am a licensed clinical psychologist and psycho-oncologist from Peru with an official MSc in Gerontology from Spain. My clinical work focuses on supporting people living with cancer, patients receiving palliative care, and their families throughout the illness and bereavement process. I also work in occupational mental health, designing and implementing psychosocial interventions that promote emotional well-being in the workplace.

As Secretary of the National Psycho-Oncology Committee of the Peruvian College of Psychologists, I actively contribute to the promotion of psycho-oncology through professional education and interdisciplinary collaboration. Joining IPOS allows me to connect with colleagues worldwide, exchange knowledge, and continue advancing psychosocial oncology in my region. Outside my clinical work, I enjoy developing educational content that translates scientific evidence into practical, compassionate tools for patients, families, and healthcare professionals.

Interested in being featured in the IPOS Member Profile section?

• We invite IPOS members to share their professional journey, experiences in psycho-oncology, perspectives from their country or culture, and their connection to IPOS.

  Your responses will help introduce the field of psycho-oncology to a wider audience and highlight the important work being done around the world.

  Please email the following to [email protected] with the subject line “IPOS Member Profile Submission”.

  Personal & Professional Information

  • Full Name:

  • Employment Position/Title:

  • Employer/Institution:

  • Country:

  • Twitter/X Handle:(if available)

  • Photo: Please attach a high-quality JPG photo of yourself.

  Your Psycho-Oncology Journey

  1. What first drew you to psycho-oncology, and what has your journey in the field looked like?

  2. For someone who has never heard the term “psycho-oncology,” how would you explain what it is and why it is an important part of cancer care?

  3. What is one aspect of psycho-oncology that you wish more patients, healthcare professionals, or the general public understood?

  Psycho-Oncology Around the World

  4. How is psycho-oncology understood and practiced in your country or region?

  5. What cultural, social, healthcare, or other factors influence how psychological and psychosocial needs are addressed in cancer care where you work?

  6. What progress have you seen in psycho-oncology in your country or region, and what challenges still need to be addressed?

  Your Connection with IPOS

  7. How has your involvement with IPOS influenced your professional journey or your work in psycho-oncology?

  8. Can you share a specific experience, opportunity, collaboration, educational resource, or other aspect of your involvement with IPOS that has made a difference in your work?

  Looking Ahead

  9. What changes would you most like to see in psycho-oncology and cancer care in the coming years?

  10. What role do you believe IPOS can play in advancing awareness, education, research, collaboration, and access to psycho-oncology internationally?

  Something Personal

  11. Tell us something fun, unexpected, or interesting about yourself that you would like the IPOS community to know.(Optional)

  Please answer each question in your own words. Your responses should be clear and complete, as they may be published as submitted as part of your IPOS Member Profile.

  Please submit responses to at least 6 questions below (preferably all)

"IPOS contributes to my career growth by connecting me with the international psycho-oncology community, providing access to the latest evidence-based knowledge and practices, and creating opportunities for professional collaboration and capacity building. As a psycho-oncology professional working in Lebanon, I particularly value IPOS as a platform for bringing international advances in psychosocial oncology to an LMIC context and adapting them to local needs."

I have been working in psycho-oncology in Lebanon since 2014, with a particular focus on integrating psychosocial care into oncology settings, professional education, and community-based services. I founded and led the Psychology Unit at Notre Dame des Secours University Hospital and developed one of Lebanon’s first structured continuing education initiatives in psycho-oncology.

Since 2022, I have been teaching psycho-oncology at Lebanese American University, combining academic teaching with practical exposure to oncology care at LAUMC and engaging psychology students in psychosocial activities with cancer patients and the community. I also contribute to psychosocial oncology programs at the Barbara Nassar Cancer Center and collaborate with CHANCE Association on services and capacity building for children with cancer and their families. I have been an IPOS member since 2018 and see the Society as an essential bridge between international knowledge and psycho-oncology practice in Lebanon.

Interested in being featured in the IPOS Member Profile section?

• We invite IPOS members to share their professional journey, experiences in psycho-oncology, perspectives from their country or culture, and their connection to IPOS.

  Your responses will help introduce the field of psycho-oncology to a wider audience and highlight the important work being done around the world.

  Please email the following to [email protected] with the subject line “IPOS Member Profile Submission”.

  Personal & Professional Information

  • Full Name:

  • Employment Position/Title:

  • Employer/Institution:

  • Country:

  • Twitter/X Handle:(if available)

  • Photo: Please attach a high-quality JPG photo of yourself.

  Your Psycho-Oncology Journey

  1. What first drew you to psycho-oncology, and what has your journey in the field looked like?

  2. For someone who has never heard the term “psycho-oncology,” how would you explain what it is and why it is an important part of cancer care?

  3. What is one aspect of psycho-oncology that you wish more patients, healthcare professionals, or the general public understood?

  Psycho-Oncology Around the World

  4. How is psycho-oncology understood and practiced in your country or region?

  5. What cultural, social, healthcare, or other factors influence how psychological and psychosocial needs are addressed in cancer care where you work?

  6. What progress have you seen in psycho-oncology in your country or region, and what challenges still need to be addressed?

  Your Connection with IPOS

  7. How has your involvement with IPOS influenced your professional journey or your work in psycho-oncology?

  8. Can you share a specific experience, opportunity, collaboration, educational resource, or other aspect of your involvement with IPOS that has made a difference in your work?

  Looking Ahead

  9. What changes would you most like to see in psycho-oncology and cancer care in the coming years?

  10. What role do you believe IPOS can play in advancing awareness, education, research, collaboration, and access to psycho-oncology internationally?

  Something Personal

  11. Tell us something fun, unexpected, or interesting about yourself that you would like the IPOS community to know.(Optional)

  Please answer each question in your own words. Your responses should be clear and complete, as they may be published as submitted as part of your IPOS Member Profile.

  Please submit responses to at least 6 questions below (preferably all)

"IPOS has provided a global platform for mentorship, collaboration, and early-career leadership. It has strengthened my commitment to building scalable, culturally responsive psychosocial care models in low- and middle-income contexts while remaining aligned with international research and practice standards."

I am a Psycho-Oncologist at the Manipal Hospice & Respite Care Centre (MHRCC), MAHE, India, where I work across the spectrum of serious and life-limiting conditions, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, organ failure, and complex rehabilitation settings. My clinical work focuses on meaning-centered care, caregiver distress, existential suffering, advance care planning, and the integration of structured psychosocial pathways within interdisciplinary medical systems.

Having completed my M.Phil. in Psycho-Oncology at the Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar, I am deeply committed to advancing the field globally. I am actively involved in the ICCI–SIGPPO pediatric psycho-oncology guideline drafting initiative and proudly serve within IPOS’s Early Career Professionals Committee (ECPP), including participation in the World Psycho-Oncology Day (WPOD) Special Interest Group.

Interested in being profiled? Please email the following to [email protected] with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

• Name

• Employment position

• Employer/Institution

• Country

• Twitter handle (if available)

• Jpg photo of yourself

• Description: How does IPOS contribute to your career growth?

• 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

"Becoming a member of IPOS contributes to my professional growth and helps me stay informed about the latest developments and changes in the field."

I am Satenik Sargsyan, a clinical psychologist from Armenia. I work in the Oncology Department at the Mikayelyan Institute of Surgery in Yerevan, where I provide essential psychosocial support to patients diagnosed with cancer. My clinical practice within the department includes comprehensive work with both patients and their families as they navigate the complexities and challenges of treatment.

Additionally, I recognize the importance of supporting the healthcare providers who work tirelessly on the front lines. To foster a holistic, team-based approach to patient care, I regularly conduct psychoeducational sessions for the oncological medical staff, including doctors and nurses.

Interested in being profiled? Please email the following to [email protected] with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

• Name

• Employment position

• Employer/Institution

• Country

• Twitter handle (if available)

• Jpg photo of yourself

• Description: How does IPOS contribute to your career growth?

• 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

IPOS connects me to a global community of professionals working in the same clinical context, something rarely available at a local level. It gives me access to international research and clinical practice in psycho-oncology, a field where Romanian-language resources are still limited, and offers visibility as a specialist from Romania within a recognized international network.

I am a clinical psychologist and CBT psychotherapist with a specialization in psycho-oncology, working in private practice in Bucharest, Romania. My work focuses on psychological assessment and intervention with patients facing cancer diagnoses, as well as supporting their families through uncertainty and profound life changes. Having conducted research within a hospital oncology department, my core interests include the psychological consequences of cancer treatment, cognitive functioning, and patients’ adaptation to illness.

Beyond my clinical practice, I proudly volunteer with a rare hereditary cancer patient association. Because psycho-oncology sits at the intersection of psychological care and oncology, I spend my free time tracking and sharing updates on biomarkers and emerging developments in oncology, believing that deeply understanding the medical context is essential to supporting patients effectively.

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.

Dr. Ester Daniel, PhD
Psycho-oncologist & Psychoanalyst | Director of Specialized Programs
Argentine Medical Association

For Dr. Ester Daniel, IPOS represents far more than a professional society—it is a global community that connects experts across continents in pursuit of better psychosocial cancer care. Through IPOS, she has been able to share more than five decades of clinical experience while continually learning from the latest international advances in psycho-oncology. The organization fosters meaningful collaboration, lifelong learning, and the exchange of knowledge that ultimately benefits patients, families, and healthcare professionals around the world.

Dr. Ester Daniel has dedicated over 50 years to the field of psycho-oncology, a profession she describes as "love at first sight." Looking back on her career, she reflects that she chose this path—or perhaps, it chose her. Since then, her commitment to supporting people affected by cancer has remained unwavering, fueled by a deep passion for understanding the human experience and advancing psychosocial care.

As both a psycho-oncologist and psychoanalyst, Dr. Daniel believes that the foundation of her work lies in building meaningful human connections. Whether mentoring students, delivering lectures, collaborating with colleagues, or accompanying patients through some of life's most challenging moments, she values the art of deep listening and compassionate care. She considers education and mentorship to be just as important as clinical practice, helping to inspire the next generation of professionals in the field.

In addition to her clinical and academic work, Dr. Daniel is passionate about developing, directing, and managing specialized mental health programs. She is committed to designing initiatives that combine academic excellence, clinical rigor, and sustainable models of care, ensuring that high-quality psychosocial services remain accessible and impactful.

Despite more than five decades in practice, Dr. Daniel's enthusiasm for her work has never faded. In fact, she says her curiosity is as strong today as it was on her very first day. Every class she teaches and every patient she meets continues to bring the same sense of excitement, purpose, and wonder that first inspired her remarkable career.

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.

I am a Social Work Intern at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH) anda Social Work graduate from Moi University. My work focuses on providing psychosocial support and counseling to patients and their families, advocating for patients' needs, and linking vulnerable individuals to available resources and support services to enhance their well-being and quality of life.

IPOS has enhanced my understanding of psycho-oncology and connected me with a global network of professionals committed to improving cancer care. Through IPOS, I continue to gain knowledge, professional development opportunities, and exposure to best practices in psychosocial oncology.

A fun fact about me is that I enjoy listening to people's stories and learning from their unique life experiences.

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.

10 CE hours. Weekly sessions on Tuesdays, starting September 8.

Cancer patients face two challenges at once: intense emotions like fear, grief, and uncertainty, and difficult external realities that no amount of coping can change.

Dialectical behavior therapy can be useful in this context, as research shows it can help people build meaningful lives even amid what they cannot control. This training provides a structured curriculum for bringing DBT's proven tools to patients and families facing cancer and serious illness, adapted specifically for this population and the unique circumstances they face.

Led by Elizabeth Cohn Stuntz, LCSW, (who co-authored Coping with Cancer: DBT Skills to Manage Emotions and Balance Uncertainty with Hope with Marsha Linehan) and Ronda Oswalt Reitz, PhD, the course centers on mindfulness, validation, and dialectical thinking alongside other core skills to help patients stay close to their values and connect with loved ones when it matters most.

The curriculum is modular and flexible, designed for clinicians across a wide range of therapeutic and medical settings. No prior DBT training is required.

The above is a paid advertising. 

For information on advertising with IPOS please go to here

IPOS has been one of the most important professional communities in my career. Through IPOS, I have learned from colleagues around the world, developed international collaborations, and broadened my understanding of psycho-oncology beyond national and disciplinary boundaries. The society has inspired me to integrate psychosocial care, palliative care, ethics, and outcome measurement into a more person-centered approach to healthcare.

I am a psychiatrist, psycho-oncologist, and palliative care researcher from Taiwan. I founded the Taiwan Psycho-Oncology Society and currently serve as Director of the Hospice and Palliative Care Center at MacKay Memorial Hospital. My recent work focuses on the CUP (Context–Users–Providers) Model and the Hospice-Focused Palliative Outcome Index (HFPOI), which aim to help healthcare teams measure what truly matters to patients, families, and providers.

I was honored to receive the IPOS Noemi Fisman Award in 2017. Beyond research and clinical practice, I enjoy writing, teaching, international collaboration, and exploring how different cultures understand suffering, healing, meaning, and human connection.

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.