Bio

Dr. Lahijani is a Clinical Professor of Medical Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and a nationally recognized leader in psycho-oncology. With extensive training and expertise in internal medicine, psychiatry, and consultation-liaison psychiatry, she has made significant contributions to the integration of psychiatric care within oncological settings.

Since her appointment at Stanford in 2015, Dr. Lahijani has served as the lead psychiatric oncologist at the Stanford Cancer Center, where she provides medical psychiatric consultation services and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to enhance patient outcomes. In her capacity as Medical Director of the Stanford Cancer Center Psychosocial Oncology Program, a position she has held since 2019, she is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of comprehensive psychiatric services tailored to the unique needs of patients with cancer. Additionally, Dr. Lahijani serves as the Section Chief of Psycho-Oncology in the Division of Medical Psychiatry, where she leads the training of fellows in psycho-oncology, supervises advanced practice providers, and provides care for patients presenting with complex medical and psychiatric comorbidities across all hematology and oncology units.

Dr. Lahijani's academic credentials include her graduation from Brown Medical School, followed by the completion of a combined residency in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry at Rush University Medical Center. After completing residency, she practiced internal medicine and psychiatry with a focus on triple diagnosis (HIV, addiction medicine, mental health). She then further advanced through a Psychosomatic Medicine Fellowship at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, during which time she received specialized training in psychiatric oncology at the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Her clinical expertise encompasses psychopharmacology and a range of treatment modalities, including Meaning Centered Psychotherapy and Dignity Therapy. Dr. Lahijani is deeply committed to fostering relationship-centered skills and promoting provider wellness. As a faculty member of Advancing Communication Excellence at Stanford, she leads workshops designed to enhance communication competencies among faculty and staff.

Dr. Lahijani's scholarly pursuits are at the intersection of medicine and psychiatry, with a particular emphasis on the neuropsychiatric sequelae of cancer treatment, innovations in care, and medical education. She is dedicated to the education and mentorship of trainees in Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, and Neurology. Through her commitment to academic excellence, Dr. Lahijani plays a pivotal role in preparing the next generation of healthcare providers to adeptly navigate the intricate and multifaceted needs of patients and their caregivers, thereby promoting a comprehensive approach to patient care.

Clinical Focus

  • Internal Medicine
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychosomatic Medicine
  • Psychiatric Oncology

Academic Appointments

Administrative Appointments

  • Medical Executive Committee, Stanford Health Care (2024 - Present)
  • Medical Director, Stanford Cancer Center Psychosocial Oncology Program (2019 - Present)

Honors & Awards

  • Master Educator, Association for Academic Psychiatry (2025)
  • Visiting Professorship Award, Academy of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry (2024)
  • Mid-Career Women Faculty Leadership Development, Association of American Medical Colleges (2023)
  • Chairman's Award, Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (2021)
  • Faculty Professional and Leadership Development Award, Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (2021)
  • Stanford Leadership Development Program, Stanford University School of Medicine (2020-2021)
  • Innovator Grant Award, Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (2019)
  • Best Case Report Poster, Academy of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry (2018)
  • Research Methods in Supportive Oncology, Harvard Medical School (2018)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Board of Directors, American Psychosocial Oncology Society (2024 - Present)
  • Program Chair, American Psychosocial Oncology Society (2024 - 2025)
  • Member, Association for Academic Psychiatry (2023 - Present)
  • Member, Academy of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, Membership Committee (2023 - Present)
  • Panel Member, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Guidelines for Cancer Related Fatigue (2022 - Present)
  • Panel Member, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Guidelines for Distress Management (2022 - Present)
  • Advisory Panelist, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Cancer.Net Editorial Board (2021 - 2023)
  • Chair, Academy of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, Psycho-Oncology Special Interest Group (2019 - Present)
  • Member, American Psychosocial Oncology Society, Program Planning Committee (2019 - Present)
  • Member, American Psychosocial Oncology Society (2015 - Present)
  • Member, Academy of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, Annual Meeting Committee (2015 - Present)
  • Member, Academy of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, Education Committee (2015 - 2021)
  • Member, Academy of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry (2014 - Present)
  • Member, Association of Medicine and Psychiatry (2009 - Present)
  • Member, American College of Physicians (2007 - Present)

Professional Education

  • Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Psychiatry (2014)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Psychosomatic Medicine (2015)
  • Fellowship: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (2015) IL
  • Residency: Rush University Medical Center (2012)
  • Medical Education: Brown Medical School (2007) RI

Contact

  • Academic
    Department: Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Position: Clinical Professor
  • Clinical (Primary)  Stanford Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic 401 Quarry Rd MC 5722 Stanford, CA 94305 (650) 724-9900 (fax)

Additional Clinical Info

All Publications

  • A Biobehavioral Perspective on Caring for Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Survivors with Graft-Versus-Host Disease. Transplantation and cellular therapy Lahijani, S., Rueda-Lara, M., McAndrew, N., Nelson, A. M., Guo, M., Knight, J. M., Wiener, L., Miran, D. M., Gray, T. F., Keane, E. P., Yek, M. H., Sannes, T. S., Applebaum, A. J., Fank, P., Babu, P., Pozo-Kaderman, C., Amonoo, H. L. 2024; 30 (9S): S493-S512

    Abstract

    Among the potential complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is common and associated with significant physical and psychosocial symptom burden. Despite substantial advances in GVHD treatment, the global immune suppression that frequently accompanies GVHD treatment also contributes to high rates of physical and emotional suffering and mortality. The complex manifestations of GVHD and its treatment warrant a multidisciplinary team-based approach to managing patients' multi-organ system comorbidities. A biobehavioral framework can enhance our understanding of the complex association between medications, physical symptoms, and psychosocial distress in patients with GVHD. Hence, for this perspective, we highlight the importance of addressing both the physical and psychosocial needs experienced by patients with GVHD and provide guidance on how to approach and manage those symptoms and concerns as part of comprehensive cancer care.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jtct.2024.05.024

    View details for PubMedID 39370233

  • Psychosocial Assessment Practices for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A National Survey Study. Research square Wiener, L., Sannes, T., Randall, J., Lahijani, S., Applebaum, A., Gray, T., McAndrew, N., Brewer, B., Amonoo, H. 2023

    Abstract

    Psychosocial health predicts and contributes to medical outcomes for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Yet, there are no standards for psychosocial assessments or support for both patients and caregivers across the care continuum. To examine the current state of psychosocial care, clinicians were sent a survey of their psychosocial assessment practices for patients and caregivers undergoing HSCT via the Listservs of professional organizations. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were performed to summarize the findings. While 96% of participants reported routine pre-HSCT psychosocial assessment of patients, only 10.6% routinely used a validated transplant risk-assessment measure. Just 27% routinely performed follow-up psychosocial assessments. In contrast, only 47% of participants routinely assessed the psychosocial needs of family caregivers pre-HSCT, and 13% routinely performed follow-up assessments for caregivers. Most (90%) reported social workers were the primary providers of assessments. While patient-report measures were used for evaluation, the majority of assessments were clinical interviews. No significant differences were found between programs that treated adult and pediatric patients versus those only treating adult patients. Our findings highlight the lack of standard psychosocial practices for patients and family caregivers undergoing HSCT and we offer recommendations to fill this gap.

    View details for DOI 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3044597/v1

    View details for PubMedID 37461551

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10350176

  • NCCN Guidelines Insights: Distress Management, Version 2.2023. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN Riba, M. B., Donovan, K. A., Ahmed, K., Andersen, B., Braun, I., Breitbart, W. S., Brewer, B. W., Corbett, C., Fann, J., Fleishman, S., Garcia, S., Greenberg, D. B., Handzo, G. F., Hoofring, L. H., Huang, C., Hutchinson, S., Johns, S., Keller, J., Kumar, P., Lahijani, S., Martin, S., Niazi, S. K., Pailler, M., Parnes, F., Rao, V., Salman, J., Scher, E., Schuster, J., Teply, M., Usher, A., Valentine, A. D., Vanderlan, J., Lyons, M. S., McMillian, N. R., Darlow, S. D. 2023; 21 (5): 450-457

    Abstract

    These NCCN Guidelines for Distress Management discuss the identification and treatment of psychosocial problems in patients with cancer. All patients experience some level of distress associated with a cancer diagnosis and the effects of the disease and its treatment regardless of the stage of disease. Clinically significant levels of distress occur in a subset of patients, and identification and treatment of distress are of utmost importance. The NCCN Distress Management Panel meets at least annually to review comments from reviewers within their institutions, examine relevant new data from publications and abstracts, and reevaluate and update their recommendations. These NCCN Guidelines Insights describe updates to the NCCN Distress Thermometer (DT) and Problem List, and to the treatment algorithms for patients with trauma- and stressor-related disorders.

    View details for DOI 10.6004/jnccn.2023.0026

    View details for PubMedID 37156476

  • Fit for Duty: Lessons learned from outpatient and homebound HCT to prepare family caregivers for home-based care. Transplantation and cellular therapy Applebaum, A. J., Sannes, T., Mitchell, H. R., McAndrew, N. S., Wiener, L., Knight, J. M., Nelson, A. J., Gray, T. F., Frank, P. M., Lahijani, S. C., Pozo-Kaderman, C., Rueda-Lara, M., Miran, D. M., Landau, H., Amonoo, H. L. 2022

    Abstract

    In the past decade, the demand for home-based care has been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Home-based care has significant benefits for patients, their families, and healthcare systems, but relies on the often invisible workforce of family and friend caregivers who shoulder essential health care responsibilities often with inadequate training and support. Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), a potentially curative but intensive treatment for many patients with blood disorders, is increasingly offered in home-based care settings and necessitates the involvement of family caregivers for significant patient care responsibilities. However, guidelines for supporting and preparing HCT caregivers to effectively care for their loved ones at home have not yet been established. Informed by extant literature and our collective experiences as clinicians and researchers who care for diverse patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing HCT, we provide considerations and recommendations to better support and prepare family caregivers in home-based HCT and, by extension, family caregivers supporting patients with other serious illnesses at home. We suggest tangible ways to screen family caregivers for distress and care delivery challenges, educate and train them to prepare for their caregiving role, and create an infrastructure of support for family caregivers within this emerging care delivery model.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jtct.2022.12.014

    View details for PubMedID 36572386

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9780643

  • Long-Term Cognitive and Neuropsychiatric Outcomes in Adults Who Have Received Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (CAR-T) Therapy for Aggressive Lymphoma at Stanford - a Pilot Feasibility Study Scott, B. J., Murray, T., Deutsch, G. K., Lahijani, S., Frank, M. J., Monje, M. AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY. 2022: 5201-5202

    View details for DOI 10.1182/blood-2022-168229

    View details for Web of Science ID 000893223205100

  • Impact on caregivers and families of patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy: a prospective longitudinal mixed methods study Litovich, C., Piehowski, C., Akinola, I., Crawford, E., D'Souza, A., Frank, M., Flynn, K., Knight, J., Lahijani, S., Miklos, D., Muffly, L., Sadana, S., Shah, N., Tan, I., Thiengmany, A., Cusatis, R. SPRINGER. 2022: S145

    View details for Web of Science ID 000922594700300

  • Biobehavioral Implications of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy: Current State and Future Directions. Transplantation and cellular therapy Taylor, M. R., Steineck, A., Lahijani, S., Hall, A. G., Jim, H. S., Phelan, R., Knight, J. M. 2022

    Abstract

    Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable clinical responses in hematologic malignancies. Recent advances in CAR T-cell therapy have expanded its application into other populations including older patients and those with central nervous system and solid tumors. Although its clinical efficacy has been excellent for some malignancies, CAR T-cell therapy is associated with severe and even life-threatening immune-mediated toxicities, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity. There is a strong body of scientific evidence highlighting the connection between immune activation and neurocognitive and psychological phenomena. To date, there has been limited investigation into this relationship in the context of immunotherapy. In this review, we present a biobehavioral framework to inform current and future cellular therapy research and contribute to improving the multidimensional outcomes of patients receiving CAR T-cell therapy.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jtct.2022.09.029

    View details for PubMedID 36208728

  • Feasibility of large scale distress screening at an academic center and associated network sites using an adapted patient-reported outcome instrument and reflexive suicide screening. Gupta, D., Savadamuthu, V., Qin, F., Roy, M., Herring, J., Robinson, A., Terrell, C., Neal, J. W., Lahijani, S., Ramchandran, K. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2022: 278

    View details for Web of Science ID 000891944700277

  • Bridging the Gaps: Taking Care of the Whole Person. Oncology (Williston Park, N.Y.) Lahijani, S. 2022; 36 (7): 452-453

    View details for DOI 10.46883/2022.25920969

    View details for PubMedID 35849781

  • Do PROs Tell the Whole Story? Differential Outcomes Based on PatientReported Outcomes (PROs) Versus Performance-Based Metrics (PBM) on Cognition for Patients Receiving Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T Cell Therapy Tan, I., Cusatis, R., Crawford, E., Thiengmany, A., Piehowski, C., Akinola, I., Craig, J., Lahijani, S., Frank, M. J., Shah, N. N., D'Souza, A., Miklos, D. B., Muffly, L., Flynn, K. E., Sidana, S. AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY. 2021

    View details for DOI 10.1182/blood-2021-145746

    View details for Web of Science ID 000736413904116

  • Psych-Onc on the cutting edge: CAR-T cell therapy and the role of the psychiatric oncologist Lahijani, S. WILEY. 2021: 46

    View details for Web of Science ID 000624698300100

  • Perceptions of time spent pursuing cancer care among patients, caregivers, and oncology professionals. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer Hall, E. T., Sridhar, D. n., Singhal, S. n., Fardeen, T. n., Lahijani, S. n., Trivedi, R. n., Gray, C. n., Schapira, L. n. 2020

    Abstract

    Patients with cancer spend significant time receiving treatment and recovering from side effects. Little is known about how patients and their caregivers perceive time spent receiving cancer treatment and how this impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Our study aims to characterize perceptions of time invested in receiving cancer therapy as experienced by patients, caregivers, and oncology professionals.We conducted semi-structured interviews with patients undergoing treatment for advanced lung cancer and melanoma, their informal caregivers, and oncology professionals (physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains). Participants received and provided care at a tertiary cancer center. Interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed qualitatively using predominantly inductive coding to identify themes relating to time perception and cancer care.We interviewed 29 participants (11 patients, 7 informal caregivers, and 11 oncology professionals) and found they consistently differentiated between time remaining in life ("existential time") and time required to manage cancer treatment and symptoms ("chronological time"). Patients and caregivers reported distress around the mechanics of oncologic care that interrupted their daily lives (hobbies, activities). Participants described the impact of time invested in cancer care on dimensions of quality of life, ranging from minimal to substantial negative impact.We found that the time spent undergoing cancer treatment affects well-being and often prevents patients and caregivers from participating in meaningful activities. The investment of personal time undergoing cancer therapy for patients with advanced solid tumors merits further study and can enhance communication between patients, caregivers, and their oncologists.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s00520-020-05763-9

    View details for PubMedID 32935204

  • Clinical Dilemmas in Evaluating and Treating Sleep Disorders in Cancer Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice Lahijani, S. 2019; 1 (1S): e9
  • Mental Health Prior to Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Psychosocial Care of End Organ Disease and Transplant Patients Lahijani, S. edited by Sher, Y., Maldonado, J. 2018: 401–411
  • Medical Complications of Psychiatric Treatment An Update CRITICAL CARE CLINICS Lahijani, S. C., Harris, K. A. 2017; 33 (3): 713-+

    Abstract

    Psychiatric medications are used commonly in hospitalized patients and are particularly indicated in patients who are critically ill to manage many conditions. Due to their many indications in the intensive care unit (ICU), psychiatric medications should be closely monitored in these medically compromised patients for adverse reactions and medical complications because they may affect essentially all organ systems. These range from life-threatening reactions to other less significant effects, such as sedation, to other detrimental complications, such as pancreatitis. Knowledge of psychopharmacology as well as the diagnosis and treatment of these complications is imperative in treating patients in the ICU.

    View details for PubMedID 28601142

  • Managing Depression in Patients With Cancer ONCOLOGY-NEW YORK McFarland, D., Lahijani, S., Holland, J. 2016; 30 (7): 665–71

    View details for Web of Science ID 000381789400010

    View details for PubMedID 27422114

  • The Complexities of Neuropsychiatric Presentations Benefitting From Co-Management Fishman, D., Lahijani, S. WILEY. 2025

    View details for Web of Science ID 001445064800041

  • Proactive Psycho-Oncology Consultation and Liaison Service Update: Impact on Patients and Providers Fishman, D., Lahijani, S. ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. 2023: S114-S115

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jaclp.2023.11.232

    View details for Web of Science ID 001161339100216

  • A Distress and Behavioral Emergency Response Team Protocol for Suicidal Patients Lahijani, S., Barr, N. WILEY. 2023: 22-23

    View details for Web of Science ID 000947888900046

  • Approaches to the Patient with Cancer and Trauma in the Emergency Department Lahijani, S. WILEY. 2023: 6

    View details for Web of Science ID 000947888900005

  • Caring for the Patient with Cancer and Complex Trauma: Psychosocial Oncology as the Bridge to Better Health Lahijani, S. WILEY. 2023: 5

    View details for Web of Science ID 000947888900002

  • SLEEP DISTURBANCES IN CANCER AND COVID: TREATMENT DILEMMAS AND INTERVENTION BASED PROGRAMS Lahijani, S. WILEY. 2021: 15

    View details for Web of Science ID 000624698300022

  • Hypertension Associated with Psychiatric Conditions Clinical Overview Lahijani, S. Elsevier. 2021
  • How Can I Handle the Loss of Family, Friends, and Co-Workers? Facing COVID: A Guide for Patients and Their Families Lahijani, S. MGH Psychiatry Academy. 2021: 161-164
  • Neurosyphilis Presenting as Mania and Psychosis After Incidental Treatment With Cephalexin: A Case Report and Literature Review of Jarisch-Herxheimer Reactions PSYCHOSOMATICS Spelber, D., Lahijani, S. 2020; 61 (2): 177–80

    View details for Web of Science ID 000519299000009

    View details for PubMedID 31331661

  • Symposia & Podiums Lahijani, S. WILEY. 2020: 5

    View details for DOI 10.1002/pon.5327

    View details for Web of Science ID 000514591500002

  • Somatic Complaints and Anxiety "I Wish the Doctor Would Figure Out What's Wrong With Me" PRACTICAL STRATEGIES IN GERIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH: CASES AND APPROACHES Lahijani, S. edited by Dunn, L. B., CassidyEagle, E. L. 2020: 81–93

    View details for Web of Science ID 000555001100006

  • What is Involved in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Facing Transplantation: A Guide for Patients and Their Families Lahijani, S., Fernandez-Robles, C. edited by Sher, Y., Stern, T. MGH Psychiatry Academy. 2020: 163–172
  • Somatic Complaints and Anxiety in Older Adults Practical Strategies in Geriatric Mental Health Cases and Approaches Lahijani, S. edited by Dunn, L., Cassidy-Eagle, E. American Psychiatric Association Publishing. 2019; 1
  • Supervision of Auxiliary Health Care Providers Roles, Goals, and Learning Opportunities SUPERVISION IN PSYCHIATRIC PRACTICE: PRACTICAL APPROACHES ACROSS VENUES AND PROVIDERS Lahijani, S. edited by DeGolia, S. G., Corcoran, K. M. 2019: 375–82

    View details for Web of Science ID 000550978200046

  • Supervision of Auxiliary Health Care Providers: Roles, Goals, and Learning Opportunities Supervision in Psychiatric Practice: Practical Approaches Across Venues and Providers Lahijani, S. edited by DeGolia, S., Corcoran, K. 2019: 375–382
  • Neurosyphilis Presenting as Mania and Psychosis after Incidental Treatment with Cephalexin: A Case Report. Academy of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Lahijani, S., Spelber, D., Maldonado, J. 2018
  • Cultural Aspects of Transplantation Psychosocial Care of End Organ Disease and Transplant Patients Lahijani, S., Garcia, R. edited by Sher, Y., Maldonado, J. 2018: 539–546
  • Buspirone for the Treatment of Severe Antipsychotic-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine Lahijani, S., Rosenthal, L., Meltzer, H. 2015
  • Palliative and End-of-Life-Care of Borderline Personality Disorder in Older Adults Borderline personality disorder in older adults: Emphasis on care in institutional settings Leung, M., Lahijani, S., Mulligan, T. edited by Hategan, A., Bourgeois, J., Xiong, G. 2015: 123–128
  • Insights from Collaborative Care: A Review of the Evidence for Depression and Diabetes Psychiatric Annals Lahijani, S., Rosenthal, L. 2015; 45 (8)
  • Levofloxacin-Induced Fulminant Hepatic Failure American College of Physicians Lahijani, S., Kahn, E., Burke, G. 2008
  • Acute Hepatits B Presenting as Pericarditis American College of Physicians Gartman, E., Lahijani, S., Gilson, D. 2006