Atlanta, Georgia – (March 5, 2013)
This August, master’s student, Christie Simons, will represent Richmont Graduate University at the American Psychological Association’s annual convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. Simons plans to present her thesis, “CARM and Social Support for Pediatric Oncology Patients,” which discusses correlations between completion of Cognitive Adaptation Remediation and Management (CARM) therapy (among other types of social support) and the health related quality of life for pediatric oncology patients.
Working alongside Dr. Robert Butler, the creator of CARM, Simons conducted studies with cancer patients (ages 8-17) to ‘determine if those patients who have completed CARM report higher health related quality of life as determined by the Pediatric Quality of Life InventoryTM Measurement Model (PedsQL). While Simons is currently in the process of finalizing her research, she anticipates that the data will show that patients who have completed CARM express increased quality of life.
Ever since childhood, when a neighbor was diagnosed with a brain tumor, Simons has been interested in work amongst pediatric oncology patients. As she explored this patient population, she noticed a distinct lack of research and written material regarding therapy and pediatric oncology patients. Joining forces with Hatch’s House of Hope in Chattanooga, TN, Simons was thrilled to find a non-profit organization offering free therapy to pediatric oncology patients.
“I think this topic is timely because there’s a lack of research and available therapy for pediatric oncology patients,” said Simons. “Even though HATCH’s is giving this therapy for free they’re never fully booked. I’d like to bring greater awareness to the need and the growing availability of resources.”
Having previously presented research at the Southeastern Psychological Association’s (SEPA) conference, Simons is now looking forward to presenting and representing Richmont on a national level at this year’s APA conference.