Dr. Kimberley Cullen's research and clinical interests include gender and sexuality, sexual health and functioning, women’s health, and psycho-oncology. She is especially passionate about supporting individuals and couples experiencing difficulties with sexual functioning and intimacy as a result of illness, chronic pain, and altered mobility/ability. Kim deeply values community engagement, and is regularly invited as a guest speaker and workshop facilitator in the area of breast cancer and sexuality. In collaboration with a national breast cancer organization, she also developed an educational video series and authored blog posts on this topic. She currently works as a Psychologist in private practice.
Funding: Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Advanced Healthcare Fellowship – 3 years; CGS CIHR Masters
MA Thesis Title: From ‘Sex Toy’ to Intrusive Imposition: A Qualitative Exploration of Women’s Experiences with Vaginal Dilator Use following Treatment for Gynaecological Cancer
Dissertation Title: Evaluation of an Internet-based Psychosexual Intervention for Couples following Treatment for Breast Cancer: A Phase 1 Trial
Keywords: psycho-oncology, sex and intimacy, women’s health, gender and sexuality, program development
Dr. Dana Male works as a Registered Psychologist in the Department of Psychosocial Oncology at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, Alberta. Her clinical practice is dedicated to supporting breast cancer patients and their loved ones through delivery of individual, couples, and group interventions. Dr. Male also has an interest in developing and evaluating psychosocial programs that meet the evolving needs of those affected by cancer. She is passionate about empowering her clients to participate purposefully in their care, relationships, and other meaningful aspects of their life.
Funding: Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Advanced Healthcare Fellowship – 3 years; CGS CIHR Masters
MA Thesis Title: Logging in Strained, Logging out Sustained: The Utility of Online Support Groups for Caregivers of Individuals with Advanced-Stage Cancer
Dissertation Title: A Pilot Feasibility Study of an Online Lifestyle Group Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors: The Healthy Lifestyle Modification After Breast Cancer (HLM-ABC) Program
Keywords: online psychosocial interventions; breast cancer; program development and evaluation; patient advocacy; couples therapy
Tom Baker Cancer Centre - Psychosocial Oncology
Dr. Molly McCarthy is a psychologist (supervised practice) with competency in clinical, health, and counselling psychology. She is a member of the multidisciplinary team at the Good Hope Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) Clinic at Toronto General Hospital, where she works with individuals to improve their health-related quality of life and contributes to research aimed at advancing the psychosocial care of patients with EDS. Dr. McCarthy also provides psychological services to individuals and couples in private practice. As a PSO Lab member, she developed a couples-based intervention for sexual adjustment following ostomy surgery.
Funding: CGS CIHR PhD – 3 years; CGS CIHR Masters
MA Thesis Title: ‘I-We’ Boundary Fluctuations in Couple Adjustment to Rectal Cancer and Life with a Permanent Colostomy
Dissertation Title: Couple Sexuality After Treatment for Colorectal Cancer and Adaptation to an Ostomy: Bridging the Divide Between Needs, Recommendations, and Treatment
Keywords: health, couples, psychosocial oncology, sexuality
Shira Yufe is a PhD student in the Psychosocial Oncology Laboratory (PSO). She completed her undergraduate degree at McGill University, and went on to obtain a second, Specialized Honours degree and her Master’s degree at York University. Currently, her research focuses on interventions for breast cancer survivors. Her PhD research is investigating supportive care for young women with breast cancer, and understanding mechanisms of change within the online Couplelinks intervention for the same population.
Funding: CGS CIHR PhD - 3 Years; CGS CIHR Master's; Ontario Women’s Health Scholar’s Award
Dissertation: The supportive care landscape for young women with breast cancer: A broad overview and a focused investigation of the couplelinks intervention
Master’s Thesis: Storying new meanings of health: A narrative analysis of lifestyle modification among breast cancer survivors
Key Words: breast cancer, survivorship, psychosocial care, intervention, qualitative
Dr. Iana Ianakieva graduated with an undergraduate honour’s degree in psychology and art history from McGill University and completed her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology from York University. Her doctoral research in the field of psychosocial oncology sought to support patients following treatment for primary cancers and understand perceived changes in self and life as a result of their experience. In her clinical work, Dr. Ianakieva aims to help diverse individuals cope with a variety of challenges, including mood and anxiety disorders, relationship difficulties, and adapting to health-related issues including cancer and chronic pain. She also has an interest in sport psychology and working with current and former athletes.
Funding: Ontario Graduate Scholarship
MA Thesis Title: A Task Analysis of Therapeutic Engagement in a Professionally Facilitated Online Intervention for Young Couples Affected by Breast Cancer
Dissertation Title: A Narrative Care Intervention to Support the Post-Cancer Treatment Transition from Primary to Follow-Up Care: Analysis of Outcomes and Content
Keywords: psychosocial oncology, narrative care, anxiety and mood disorders, positive psychology, sport psychology
Roncesvalles Psychology Clinic
Dr. Darya Kurowecki graduated with an undergraduate honour's research specialist degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and completed her Master's degree in clinical psychology at York University. Her research focused on intimate relationships and self-esteem in women in the period following breast cancer treatment. Darya continued her studies to become a Doctor of Medicine at the University of Ottawa and is currently a Diagnostic Radiology Resident Physician at McMaster University.
Funding: CGS CIHR Masters
MA Thesis Title: Wearing my heart on my chest: dating, new relationships, and the reconfiguration of self-esteem after breast cancer
Keywords: self-esteem, couples, cancer, medicine, radiology
