Overview
Tamara J. Somers, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist and Faculty Member in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Somers conducts research developing, testing, and implementing behavioral interventions for pain and other symptoms in patients with chronic disease (e.g., cancer, arthritis). She is particularly interested in developing behavioral interventions that are personalized to the needs of individual patients and using innovative delivery methods to deliver the interventions. Grant awards from the NIH, American Cancer Society, and other funding agencies support her research. Dr. Somers also co-directs a clinical psychology training program at the Duke Cancer Institute (DCI) that trains graduate students, clinical psychology interns, and post-doctoral fellows in psychosocial and behavioral symptom management interventions.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Publications
Relationships between pain cognitions and physical function in a sample of racially diverse, sedentary individuals with chronic pain.
Journal Article Pain Pract · April 2025 BACKGROUND: Pain from musculoskeletal pain conditions is often persistent, bothersome, and negatively impacts physical function. Individuals with musculoskeletal pain report difficulty with walking and regular activities. For some, this may be related to o ... Full text Link to item CiteWeb-Based Pain Coping Skills Training (PCST) for Managing Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Arthralgia in Breast Cancer Survivors: Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.
Journal Article Contemp Clin Trials · February 2025 BACKGROUND: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are a cornerstone of adjuvant systemic therapy for postmenopausal patients with hormone-receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer. Although AIs decrease cancer recurrence rates and improve survival rates, approximately 50 ... Full text Link to item CiteAssessing the utility of the PC-PTSD-5 as a screening tool among a cancer survivor sample.
Journal Article Cancer · December 1, 2024 INTRODUCTION: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is an intensive and invasive procedure used in cancer treatment that can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. These symptoms are frequently overlooked in oncology and general hea ... 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
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029Symptom Management and Transitioning to Engagement with Post-treatment Care for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors (AYA STEPS)
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029Engage: A Randomized Controlled Trial Testing the Efficacy of a Telehealth-Delivered Psychosocial Intervention to Decrease Symptom Interference in Patients with Advanced Cancer
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029View All Grants