Maru Barrera

Primary Position
Psychologist, H/O program; Senior Associate Scientist
Job Responsibilities
Research
Patient Care
Other
Other Job Responsibilities
Teaching
Education/Training
Psychology
Short Synopsis of Professional Interests
My interest in psychosocial oncology covers the spectrum from diagnosis to survivorship or bereavement.Psychosocial screening and intervention; Development of psychosocial interventions for the child/adolescent undergoing treatment and the family.
Training Opportunities at Location
Yes
Phone(s)
416-813-6819 Fax: 416-813-8839
Keywords
Psychosocial outcomes
Psychosocial interventions
Quality of life
Parental distress
Bereavement in the family
psychosocial screening
Publications of Interest

Desjardins, L, Young, M, Hancock, K, Lai MC, Bartels, U, Vorstman, J & Barrera, M. (2022). The social life of pediatric brain tumor survivors: Friendship and Loneliness: Qualitative questions to ADOS-2 questions.  Journal of Pediatric Psychology.https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsab131 SPI.

Desjardins, L, Soloman, A, Shama, W, Mills, D, Chung, J, Barrera, M. (2021). The impact of caregiver mental health and family functioning on child quality of life during pediatric cancer treatment: From diagnosis to six months. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing.https://doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2021.2015646. 

Hancock, K, Barrera, M. Prasad, S, Desjardins, L, Shama, W, Alexander, S, Szatmari, P, & (2022). “Support comes to us”: the importance of continuity in psychosocial care after pediatric cancer diagnosis. Pediatric Blood and Cancer. https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.29578 

Bates, CR, Fairclough, D, Noll, RB, Barrera, M, Egan, A, Kupst, MJ, Gartstein, M, Asch, E., Gerhardt, C, & Vannatta, K. (2022). Psychological functioning of Caregivers of Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors. Pediatric Blood and Cancer.https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.29565 

Young, M, Kawamura, J, Patton, J, Munn, K, Gold, A, & Barrera, M. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical care: Considerations for providing virtual evidence-based care to youth with high levels of needle fear. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychologyhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cpp0000424