Seyma Saritoprak, Ph.D.
- Psychosocial Oncology
- Supportive and Palliative Care
- Psychology
- Psycho-Oncology
- Assistant Clinical Professor, Division of Psychology, Department of Supportive Care Medicine
Seyma Saritoprak, Ph.D., is a specialist in psychosocial oncology, a cancer specialty that addresses the many psychological, behavioral, emotional and social issues that may arise following a cancer diagnosis.
Dr. Saritoprak, an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Supportive Care Medicine, came to City of Hope because of its focus on evidence-based supportive care offerings that may improve quality of life, prevent complications and reduce hospital stays. A leader in supportive services, City of Hope advocates for establishing supportive care as a standard best practice for cancer care in the United States.
Prior to coming to City of Hope, Dr. Saritoprak was a clinical psychologist at CBT California, one of Southern California's leading centers for cognitive behavioral therapy. She has also served as a trainee at several renowned centers, including Cleveland Clinic and Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. She has experience in individual and group therapy and patient consultations pre-and post-surgery. Her expertise includes addressing issues often faced by adults with chronic medical conditions,
Dr. Saritoprak received her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. She completed an APA-accredited predoctoral internship in health and behavior at the University of California Los Angeles and a postdoctoral fellowship in health psychology at Cleveland Clinic.
In her collaborative approach to patient care, Dr. Saritoprak actively seeks to engage with professionals from various disciplines involved in cancer treatment. As a vital member of the care team, she introduces effective techniques that contribute to the healing process and help prevent further illness and complications.
She is interested in working with diverse patients and communities, Dr. Saritoprak is fluent in Turkish.
Location
Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center
Irvine, CA 92618
Education & Experience
2018 – 2021 Doctor of Philosophy, Clinical Psychology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
2015 – 2018 Master of Arts, Clinical Psychology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
2012 – 2015 Master of Arts, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH
2008 – 2012 Bachelor of Science, Psychological Sciences , John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH
2021- 2022 Health Psychology Fellow, Postdoctoral Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland OH
2020–2021, Health and Behavior Internship, APA-Accredited Predoctoral Internship, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
2023-present, Assistant Clinical Professor, Division of Psychology, Department of Supportive Care Medicine, City of Hope, Orange County, CA
2022-2023, Staff Psychologist, CBT California, Newport Beach, CA
Awards & Memberships
2016, Social Justice Conference Scholarship, Case Western Reserve University
2019, Diversity, Culture, and Community Award, Case Western Reserve University
American Psychological Association
Publications
- Saritoprak, S.N., Abu-Raiya, H. (2022). Living the good life: An Islamic perspective on positive psychology. In E. B. Davis, E. L. Worthington, S.A. Schnitker (Eds.). Handbook of Positive Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality (pp. 179-193). Springer Nature Switzerland.
- Saritoprak, S.N.,, Exline, J.J. (2021). Applying a mindset of spiritual jihad to religious/spiritual struggles: The development of a preliminary measure. In A. L. Ai, P. Wink, R.F. Paloutzian, & K.A. Harris (Eds.), Assessing Spirituality in a Diverse World (pp. 333-354). Springer Nature Switzerland.
- Saritoprak, S.N., Exline, J.J., & Abu-Raiya, H. (2020). Spiritual jihad as an emerging psychological concept: Connections with religious/spiritual struggles, virtues, and perceived growth. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 14(2).
- Saritoprak, S. N., Exline, J. J. (2020). Religious coping among Muslims with mental and medical health concerns. In A. Bagasra, & M. Mackinem (Eds.), Working with Muslim clients in the helping professions (pp. 201-220). Hershey, PA: IGI Global.
- Saritoprak, S. N., Yun, D. (2019). Review of the book: Spirituality, religion, cognitive-behavioral therapy: A guide for clinicians by David H. Rosmarin. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 49(2), 129-130.
- Saritoprak, S. N., Exline, J., & Stauner, N. (2018). Spiritual jihad among US Muslims: Preliminary measurement and associations with well-being and growth. Religions, 9(5), 158-180.
- Exline, J. J., Wilt, J. A., Stauner, N., Harriott, V. A., Saritoprak, S. N., (2017). Self-forgiveness and religious/spiritual struggles. In L. Woodyatt, E. L., Worthington, Jr., M. Wenzel, & B. J. Griffin (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of self-forgiveness (pp. 131-145). New York: Springer.