Allison J. Applebaum, PhD

I am a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in helping patients with cancer and their caregivers. In my clinical work, I use a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches, with an emphasis on cognitive-behavioral and existential therapies. I have expertise in using cognitive-behavioral therapy to mitigate anxiety and depression and to improve overall quality of life in patients with cancer and their caregivers.

 I am the Director of the Caregivers Clinic, housed within the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Counseling Center. This clinic provides psychosocial support to cancer caregivers — family members and friends of patients at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. For many, the stress of caregiving can easily become overwhelming and negatively impact one’s ability to perform this critical role. The purpose of the Caregivers Clinic is to help caregivers maximize their ability to provide care to their loved one with cancer while concurrently attending to their own self-care, needs, and other important responsibilities. In my work with individuals and groups, I help caregivers strengthen their capacity to communicate comfortably and openly with the patients for whom they provide care, honor their responsibility to care for themselves, and recognize their potential for growth and resilience, and even benefit from this important role.