Jenny Tran, PhD
Psychologist
Responsibilities
I provide assessment and psychosocial care to patients and family members touched by cancer, in addition to providing multidisciplinary consultation in medical settings to other members of the healthcare team. Through an integration of evidence-based interventions and a human-centered approach, I attempt to meet patients where they are currently, to provide them with extra tools to navigate the cancer experience, and to create a space that integrates their strengths and values so that they feel genuinely seen and heard throughout their care. It is a privilege to be invited into the lives of our patients and family, and to walk alongside them in this process.
Simms Mann Center programming (e.g., Support Groups you lead, Workshops, Classes, etc)
I am located at the UCLA Alhambra Cancer Care clinic and am also available to meet with patients from other clinics virtually via Zoom or telephone. Additionally, I facilitate our monthly GI Cancer Program Orientation which provides patients and family members with information about supportive care services and strategies to support patients coping with a GI-related cancer.
Training and Professional Experience
After receiving my Bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of California, San Diego, I worked for two years as a behavioral interventionist with children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders. Through this role, I cultivated an interest in working with family members and caregivers who are actively involved in the care of their loved ones. In 2016, I started my doctorate program in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Health Psychology at California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University in Los Angeles, where I also obtained my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. My doctoral dissertation explored how cultural values and coping styles impact quality of life in family caregivers of older adults with chronic illness. Concurrently, I received extensive clinical training through several pre-internships including a life-changing year providing psychosocial care to patients with cancer here at UCLA’s Simms/Mann Center. Additional clinical placements included working with patients with OCD and anxiety-related disorders at Renewed Freedom Center and providing cognitive assessments, individual therapy, and group support to older adult Veterans at West Los Angeles VA.
I received my Ph.D. in 2021 after completing a full-time APA-accredited internship at VA St. Louis Health Care System, where I pursued a year of integrated health training in psycho-oncology at Siteman Cancer Center in Barnes Jewish Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine, as well as in palliative care, spinal cord injury rehabilitation, primary care-mental health integration, and health promotion/disease prevention within the VA medical centers and in community clinics.
Selected Professional Publications and Presentations
Hsia, J. F., Tran, J. B., Srivastava, D., & Boyd, B. (2022, August). Creating Community and Belongingness among Women of Color Students and Professionals. Critical Conversation session presented at 130th American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Convention, Washington D.C.
Hsia, J. F., Tran, J. B., Balolong-Publico, S., Srivastava, D., & Boyd, B. (2021, August). Shifting Our Mindsets as Women of Color Students and Professionals. Critical Conversation session presented at 129th American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Convention, Minneapolis, MN.
Personal Interests
Being a Los Angeles native, I revel in occasionally escaping the busy city and finding peace in the Eastern Sierra mountains where I enjoy camping and fishing with my partner and our two dogs. If I was not a psychologist, I would most likely be a party planner. I love crafting, coming up with themes, making charcuterie boards, dressing up, and bringing people together to honor ourselves and the people we love.
Languages
I speak conversational Vietnamese and am available to provide outreach and brief psychosocial assessment to patients and family members. If you or a loved one is interested in accessing UCLA Health Language Services for your appointment, please let your provider/clinician know. Additional information can be found UCLA Health Language Services.