Overview
Sarah A. Kelleher, PhD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Kelleher is a faculty member of the Duke Cancer Institute (DCI) and the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at DCI, and the Pain Prevention and Treatment Research Program. Dr. Kelleher conducts research focused on developing, testing, and implementing theory-based behavioral symptom management and health behavior interventions for patients with chronic disease. She has a special interest in using novel and mobile health technologies to deliver interventions that target physical and psychological symptoms in cancer patients who experience unique survivorship challenges and high symptom burden. Dr. Kelleher's work is supported by grant awards from the NIH, American Cancer Society, and other funding agencies.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
·
2025 - Present
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences,
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2018 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
A digital health approach to improving PTSD symptom management among cancer transplant survivors using a SMART design.
Journal Article JCO Oncology Practice · October 14, 2025 550Background: Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) cancer survivors face elevated risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, yet access to effective treatment remains limited. This NCI-funded study (R01-CA244172) evaluated a stepped-care, ... Full text CiteEngage: Protocol of a randomized controlled trial of a telehealth-delivered psychosocial intervention to decrease symptom interference in patients with advanced cancer.
Journal Article Contemp Clin Trials · September 2025 BACKGROUND: Pain, fatigue, and distress are highly prevalent co-occurring symptoms in patients with stage IV cancer. Emerging evidence suggests these patients may benefit from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) ap ... Full text Link to item CiteExamining the Interrelationships of Lymphedema with Pain, Physical Function, and Demographic and Medical Variables in Women with Breast Cancer and Pain.
Journal Article Clin Breast Cancer · July 9, 2025 PURPOSE: To examine the relationship of lymphedema with pain, physical function, and demographic and medical variables in women with breast cancer and pain. METHODS: Secondary analysis of baseline data from a study of women with breast cancer and pain. Sel ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Randomized Controlled Trial of a Hybrid-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Symptom Management and Activity Coaching Intervention for Stem Cell Transplant Patients
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 20291/2 Self-directed mobile adaptive coping skills intervention to improve psychological distress symptoms among cardiorespiratory failure survivors: the Blueprint RCT
ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2029Cognitive behavioral theory-assisted virtual reality for chronic cancer pain (VR-CAN): device prototype development and feasibility testing.
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by MedStar Health Research Institute · 2025 - 2027View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Virginia Polytech Institute and State University ·
2014
Ph.D.