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Memorial Sloan Kettering psychologist Wendy Lichtenthal

Wendy Lichtenthal, PhD

Psychologist

My Role at MSK

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Psychological Counseling for Patients with Breast Cancer
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Existential Approaches
  • Palliative Care and Bereavement Interventions
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Dr. Lichtenthal's Office Information
Languages: English

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About Me

What I Do at MSK
  • Clinical Psychologist
Get To Know Me

I am a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in helping patients with cancer and their families. As Director of the Bereavement Clinic in our Counseling Center, I focus on assisting people who are coping with the loss of a loved one, and I specialize in helping those whose grief persists over time.  I also provide psychological counseling to breast cancer patients using a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches, with an emphasis on cognitive-behavioral and existential therapies.

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In my research and clinical trial work, I strive to develop interventions for people with cancer and their families to better cope with their grief and fears. How do people with advanced cancer and their families find purpose and meaning while contending with advanced disease and loss? Why do some people develop persistent and debilitating symptoms of grief – and what can be done about this? In my work with bereaved parents, I aim to better understand the meaning-making processes, and psychosocial needs, of this unique and profound type of loss.

I am a member of the American Psychological Association, the Society of Behavioral Medicine, and the Association of Death Education and Counseling.

My Role at MSK

A psychologist has special training in therapy to help people with mental and behavioral health issues.

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Psychological Counseling for Patients with Breast Cancer
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Existential Approaches
  • Palliative Care and Bereavement Interventions
Education & Honors

Education

  • PhD, University of Pennsylvania

Residencies

  • NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center

Fellowships

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Board Certifications

  • Clinical Psychology

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.

Aetna

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

Aetna Medicare Advantage (City of NY retirees only, starting 9/1/23)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield New York

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS

Blue Cross Health Plus

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Carrum Health

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

Cigna

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Connecticare

In Network Coverage Type
POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Emblem Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Empire Blue Cross Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO, DSN

Empire Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Empire Plan / NYSHIP (Blue Cross/UnitedHealthcare split plan)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Fidelis

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO

Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

First Health

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Healthfirst

In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS

Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Healthsmart

In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier I (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier II (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

Horizon Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Husky CT Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Magnacare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO

Straight NJ Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government

Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

MVP

In Network Coverage Type
PPO/OAP

Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

In Network Coverage Type
TBD

Oscar

In Network Coverage Type
HMO/EPO

Oxford

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, EPO

World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Qualcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Tricare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

UMR

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS

United Healthcare

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

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New Patients

Scheduling an appointment is easy. Click or call 646-888-0200— we’re available Monday through Friday, to (Eastern time)
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Current Patients

Request an appointment by logging on to MyMSK or calling your doctor’s office. If you aren’t registered for MyMSK, call 646-227-2593 for your Enrollment ID.

Contact and Location

Dr. Lichtenthal sees patients at two locations.

Office Phone
Location
New York, NY
Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center
300 East 66th Street Floors 1 - 4 New York NY 10065
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Counseling Center
160 East 53rd Street New York NY 10022
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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.

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Clinical Trials

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Find a Clinical Trial for You

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 trials

Research and Publications

Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Lichtenthal’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 PubMed

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