Seyma Saritoprak

Seyma Saritoprak, Ph.D. is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Supportive Care Medicine at City of Hope. Her clinical expertise spans psychosocial oncology, supportive and palliative care, and psycho-oncology, with a focus on improving quality of life for cancer patients through psychological interventions.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Case Western Reserve University (2021)
  • M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Case Western Reserve University (2018)
  • M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, John Carroll University (2015)
  • B.S. in Psychological Sciences, John Carroll University (2012)

Dr. Saritoprak’s research explores intersections between spiritual jihad, religious coping, and Muslim mental health, with a focus on positive psychology and trauma recovery. She has developed preliminary measures for spiritual struggles and investigates how religious identity influences psychological growth.

Her collaborative work with institutions like Cleveland Clinic and UCLA highlights her engagement in health psychology, particularly pre- and post-surgical mental health support. Publications include analyses of spiritual well-being in Islamic contexts and applications of CBT for Muslim clients.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Social Justice Conference Scholarship (2016)
  • Diversity, Culture, and Community Award (2019)

As a member of the Division of Psychology at City of Hope, Dr. Saritoprak integrates multidisciplinary approaches to cancer care, emphasizing patient-centered techniques. Fluent in Turkish, she advocates for culturally competent care and has received exceptional patient satisfaction ratings (4.8–5.0 stars) for her empathetic and effective clinical practice.