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Tamara J. Somers

Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences
Box 102506, Durham, NC 27710
2400 Pratt Street, North Pavil, 7 Floor, Room 7046, Durham, NC 27705

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


Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences · 2024 - Present Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2013 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published February 12, 2021
This Nurse Treated Cancer Patients for Years. Then Her Husband Became One.

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Recent Publications


LiveWell: Pilot Feasibility Trial of an Adapted Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills Training Protocol in Patients With Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Journal Article Psychooncology · December 2025 BACKGROUND: People living longer with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) experience heightened psychological distress and decrements in quality of life. Therefore, we developed LiveWell, an 8-session adapted dialectical behavioral therapy skill ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

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 Cite

Exploring Perspectives on Feasibility, Challenges, and Support Needs for Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) Bathing in the Outpatient Setting for Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients: A Qualitative Study.

Journal Article Transplant Cell Ther · September 19, 2025 BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing is recommended for infection prevention in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) patients. As more centers transition HCT care to outpatient settings, understanding patients' perceptions of CHG bathing f ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Pittsburgh · 2007 Ph.D.