Making the Case for Palliative Psychology

Anxiety, depression, grief, and existential suffering are common in serious illness and are linked to greater symptom burden, poorer quality of life, and increased caregiver strain. The National Consensus Project Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care name psychological care as a core domain of quality palliative care, and evidence-based interventions such as CALM, dignity therapy, and meaning-centered psychotherapy have been shown to reduce distress. Yet many programs lack a psychologist or are unsure how to add and fund one.

This webinar gives program leaders and clinicians in any setting a practical framework for building the case for palliative psychology. Presenters will compare embedded and consultative models in inpatient and outpatient care, explain how reimbursement differs (health and behavior codes for inpatient services versus mental health diagnoses for outpatient services), and describe common referral types and the scope of psychological support. They will also clarify how the psychologist's role differs from that of chaplaincy, social work, and other team members. Attendees will leave with the language and examples to make the case for psychology on their own team.