Clinical Specialties

Cancer Related Distress

Cancer Related Distress includes any emotional upset that is linked to a patient’s or loved one’s experience with cancer and its treatment. Dr. Perez has special emphasis in treating patients with breast, colo-rectal, lung, prostate and hematological disease. A variety of personalized protocols are available for medical patients and their loved ones throughout the illness continuum from initial diagnosis to post-treatment. These include cognitive-behavioral therapy, problem-focused goal setting, coping enhancement, and stress management for a variety of cancer-related issues. Treatment plans include options for individual, couple, family, and group therapy depending on your needs.

Coping with Medical Illness

Dr. Perez also provides psychological treatment for distress related to HIV/AIDS, cardiac disease, neurological disorders, diabetes, Fibromyalgia and a variety of other medical issues.

Pain and Symptom Management

Whether your physical discomfort stems from medical disease, treatment side-effects, or an injury that has resulted in chronic pain, Dr. Perez can help you understand the psychological aspects of pain and other symptoms and help you develop strategies to ease the impact that these challenges can have on your life.

Stress Management and Wellness

For many patients stress management is a key ingredient to maneuvering through a medical or general life crisis and its aftermath. Dr. Perez conducts 10-week CBT group therapy protocols that teach basic to advanced thinking, coping and relaxation strategies to manage stress after an illness. These groups are made up of 4-6 patients with similar illness experiences and are offered for patients with breast, colo-rectal and lung cancer, HIV, and advanced-stage disease.