In the context of a global pandemic where every one of us lives daily with uncertainty and barriers to connection with others, these challenges and burdens are magnified in the lives of our immunocompromised clients. From expanding our understanding of who is immunocompromised to empathy for their unique challenges to discussing practical strategies in clinical care, join us as we sit in the uncertainty together, discussing showing up, connecting with, and serving these clients.

Amanda Rhodes, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist and researcher in the Health Psychology and Neurobehavioral Research Group (HPNRG) at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) / National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Rhodes received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Lehigh University, a Master of Arts in psychology from Kean University, and a Doctorate in combined school and clinical psychology from Kean University. Her doctoral dissertation investigated acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and opioid use in patients with chronic pain. Dr. Rhodes completed a competitive, APA-accredited internship utilizing mindfulness-based interventions at the Brattleboro Retreat Psychiatric Hospital in Vermont, USA. She then completed a two-year postdoctoral research fellowship in the Pediatric Oncology Branch at NCI/NIH.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• A contextual-behavioral perspective on chronic pain during the COVID-19 pandemic and future times of mandated physical distancing
• ACBS ACT for Health SIG & Resources for working with Chronic Health Conditions

If listeners are interested in learning more about this approach, a colleague and I are leading a 2-day (virtual) training in June called ACTivating Health: A Skills Building Workshop to Help People with Chronic Medical Conditions

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