Meghan McDarby, PhD
We post reviews for MSK healthcare providers who have at least 30 patient experience surveys completed. If you do not see reviews for a provider, it may be because they do not yet have enough survey responses, or the provider may not be part of the group of healthcare providers included in the survey.
Only outpatient providers are included in the survey. Healthcare providers who only work in the hospital or in urgent care are not included in the survey. Pathologists or researchers who do not provide direct care to patients do not have reviews.
Areas of Expertise
Conditions I Treat
- Anxiety
- Coping with cancer
- Family distress
My Specialties
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Caregiver counseling
- Supportive psychotherapy
Get to Know Me
I’m a licensed clinical psychologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) who sees patients at MSK Commack on Long Island. I’m an expert in helping people and their loved ones cope with the emotional challenges of a cancer diagnosis. This includes managing stress and anxiety, relationships, and finding ways to talk openly about cancer.
I am here to guide you through difficult conversations about treatment decisions, goals, and quality of life. My goal is to work closely with you and tailor my care to your specific needs. Together, we will find practical tools to help you feel more supported, connected, and in control of your care.
I also provide support for palliative care and end-of-life concerns. I help patients and care partners cope with uncertainty, grief, and the emotional changes that can come with a cancer journey.
I have a special interest in working with adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer and their care partners. Getting cancer as a young person can disrupt your life, friendships, school, and career goals. I create a supportive space where young people and their families can work through these challenges and move forward with strength and purpose.
I’m also committed to providing affirming, inclusive care for people from the LGBTQIA+ community. I recognize the unique experiences and support needs that may arise during cancer treatment and recovery.
My research focuses on how patients, caregivers, and doctors talk to one another. I am interested in how effective communication can make the cancer experience less stressful. I use this research to build proven, reliable strategies that improve conversations around serious illness, helping families stay connected and understood.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family outdoors.
I'm a psychologist (sy-KAH-loh-jist). I have special training in therapy to help people with mental and behavioral health issues.
- Assistant Attending Psychologist
Conditions I Treat
- Anxiety
- Coping with cancer
- Family distress
- Quality of life
My Specialties
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Caregiver counseling
- Supportive psychotherapy
Education
- Bachelor of Science, Cornell University
- PhD, Washington University in St. Louis
Fellowships
- Clinical Psychology Internship, New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College
- Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Insurance Information
Understanding your insurance options is an important part of managing your cancer care. We have relationships with many common healthcare providers and plans.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
This plan is in-network at our New York sites only.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO
Your plan may not cover visits to our New York sites. Please call the number on the back of your insurance card to see what your health plan covers.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS
In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
POS, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
This plan is in-network at our New York sites only.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
This plan is in-network at our New York sites only.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
This plan is in-network at our New York sites only.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
This is a dual payer plan, which means 2 health insurance companies share this plan. MSK providers are out-of-network with UnitedHealthcare.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
This plan is in-network at our New York sites only.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
This plan is in-network at our New York sites only.
In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
This plan is in-network at our New York sites only.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
Your plan may not cover visits to our New York sites. Please call the number on the back of your insurance card to see what your health plan covers.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
Your plan may not cover visits to our New York sites. Please call the number on the back of your insurance card to see what your health plan covers.
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
Your plan may not cover visits to our New York sites. Please call the number on the back of your insurance card to see what your health plan covers.
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
Your plan may not cover visits to our New York sites. Please call the number on the back of your insurance card to see what your health plan covers.
In Network Coverage Type
TBD
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO
In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government
In Network Coverage Type
HMO (City Employee Health Plans Gold and Gold Care Only)
In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental
In Network Coverage Type
PPO/OAP
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, EPO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
Don't see your carrier or plan? We can help you understand your coverage.
If you don't have health insurance or are worried that your care may not be fully covered, our financial assistance programs may be able to help.
If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.
Make an Appointment
Contact and Location
Looking to see a doctor at a different location? See all MSK locations.
Colleagues
Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.
Clinical Trials
Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.
You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.
Search clinical trialsResearch and Publications
- McDarby M, Carpenter BD. Barriers and Facilitators to Effective Inpatient Palliative Care Consultations: A Qualitative Analysis of Interviews With Palliative Care and Nonpalliative Care Providers. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®. 2019;36(3):191-199. doi:10.1177/1049909118793635
- Rosa WE, McDarby M, Buller H, Ferrell BR. Palliative Care Clinician Perspectives on Person-Centered End-of-Life Communication for Racially and Culturally Minoritized Persons with Cancer. Cancers. 2023; 15(16):4076. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15164076
- McDarby M, Silverstein HI, Carpenter BD. Effects of a Patient Question Prompt List on Question Asking and Self-Efficacy During Outpatient Palliative Care Appointments. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2023 Apr;65(4):285-295. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.12.010. Epub 2022 Dec 22. PMID: 36565794; PMCID: PMC10023338.
- McDarby M, Mroz EL, Hahne J, Malling CD, Carpenter BD, Parker PA. Hospice Care Could Be a Compassionate Choice”: ChatGPT Responses to Questions About Decision Making in Advanced Cancer. Journal of Palliative Medicine. 2024;27(12):1618-1624. doi:10.1089/jpm.2024.0256
Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. McDarby’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
See all on PubMedPatient Reviews
Your trust is our main concern
We strive to keep reviews trustworthy, honest and fair. Learn more about our patient experience reviews.