In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, understanding the human experience of illness surpasses medical treatment, as it touches on the psychological, emotional and social facets of patients and their families. This becomes more pronounced for cancer patients, where the toll on mental health is critical. 

Recognizing the importance of this dimension, the Department of Psychology and Education at LAU’s School of Arts and Sciences offers a Topic course on psycho-oncology, which equips students with the tools needed to address the challenges associated with cancer care through a specialized understanding of the psychological, social and often spiritual challenges patients face.

Taught by Assistant Professor of Practice Toni Sawma, the course incorporates interactive lectures, group discussions and research-based activities to ensure students engage with the material in dynamic and meaningful ways.

“In Lebanon, the need for trained psycho-oncology professionals is particularly pressing,” he said, as patients often face limited access to mental health support, and families are left navigating the complexities of care without sufficient guidance. “It’s important that students grasp the central concepts at all stages of illness, including diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, end-of-life, death and bereavement.”

One of the highlights of the course is its focus on the urgent need for holistic care in oncology, covering a theoretical and practical curriculum that equips students with essential communication skills in healthcare, particularly in pediatric oncology, palliative care and evidence-based psychotherapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

This is facilitated by bringing real-world perspectives into the classroom through hosting guest speakers, including healthcare professionals, psychologists, and advocates who specialize in oncology support. One example was inviting Clinical Associate Professor and Division Head of Hematology-Oncology at LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital Hady Ghanem to speak about balancing professionalism and compassion in medical practice.

Addressing the students, Dr. Ghanem focused on the challenges of initiating emotionally charged conversations, particularly when delivering difficult news to patients and their families. He stressed the importance of tailoring communication to each patient’s situation, taking into account their emotional state, cultural background and readiness to receive information.

In a complementary session, students heard from Stephanie Moujahed, a volunteer at the Barbara Nassar Association for Cancer Patient Support, who drew from her own experience as a cancer survivor. Starting from the initial diagnosis to the challenges of treatment and eventual recovery, Moujahed recounted moments of fear and uncertainty—especially when it came to the financial and emotional burdens that can accompany such a diagnosis—but also emphasized the unwavering support she received from family, friends and the medical community.

A particularly impactful feature of the course is exposing students to practical interventions, in which they explore various psychosocial assessment techniques and psychotherapies, with special attention given to vulnerable populations, including children, teenagers, couples and family members.

In one of the sessions, titled The Healing Power of Laughter, Dr. Sawma invited Lebanese actor Fouad Yammine, who has extensive experience in therapeutic clown work—often known as “clown doctoring”—to shed light on the transformative role of humor and play in the clinical context.

“Our job as clown doctors is not to cure the child but to create a space where they feel safe,” Yammine explained, emphasizing the need for connection and emotional support. “When handling situations like these, it’s essential to step away from a heroic mindset and instead focus on the bond between doctor and patient,” he advised. “It’s about giving, not receiving,”

Commenting on the relevance of this course for psychology students’ professional prospects, Dr. Sawma pointed out that “it opens a gateway to an emerging field with immense career potential.”

Whether students choose to pursue clinical psychology, counseling, healthcare management, or academic research, “they will graduate with knowledge and experience that sets them apart as future mental health professionals and encourages critical thinking as a mindset of innovation in healthcare delivery,” he added.

In pursuit of mastering “healing with compassion,” as Dr. Sawma calls it, LAU continues to nurture a generation of students who are not only knowledgeable and academically apt but also socially responsible and attuned to the needs of their communities.