Research Assistant Professor, Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology, University of Calgary
Dr. Lauren Walker earned her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Calgary in 2013. She completed a Clinical Fellowship specializing in Oncology and Sexuality in the Department of Oncology at the University of Calgary and Tom Baker Cancer Centre. During this fellowship she gained expertise in providing counseling to patients experiencing sexual difficulties after cancer treatment. She also completed a brief externship providing her with clinical training from the University of British Columbia Sexual Medicine Program.
Dr. Walker is a registered psychologist in the province of Alberta, and holds an academic appointment as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology, at the University of Calgary. Dr. Walker earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Calgary in 2013, where she evaluated a patient education initiative for preparing prostate cancer patients and their partners for undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).
She currently runs several programs at the Prostate Cancer Centre in Calgary include an Intimacy after Prostate Cancer Workshop for men and their partners. Dr. Walker provides sexual counseling to all types of cancer patients seeking treatment at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.
Dr. Walker is an active researcher and has contributed over 20 publications to the scientific peer reviewed literature about psychosocial and sexual adaption to prostate cancer treatments. She is also part of the leadership of the TrueNth Survivorship initiatives funded by Movember and Prostate Cancer Canada – in the areas of ADT and sexual health. She is an active collaborator with Canadian experts in the field and has contributed to the development of sexual health curriculum to train future health care professionals in sexuality and oncology.
She also helps to lead the OASIS – Oncology and Sexuality, Intimacy and Survivorship -program out of the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. This is a provincial sexual health service for patients that have been through cancer treatment.
Relevant Publications
1. Donovan, K.A., Walker, L.M., Wassersug, R.J., Thompson, L.M.A., & Robinson, J.W. Psychological Effects of Androgen-Deprivation Therapy on Men with Prostate Cancer and Their Partners. Cancer. Epub ahead of print.
2. Walker, L.M., Wassersug, R.J., & Robinson, J.W. (2015). Psychosocial perspectives on sexual recovery after prostate cancer treatment. Nature Reviews Urology, 12, 167-176.
3. McLeod, D.L., Walker, L.M., Wassersug, R.J., Matthew, A., & Robinson, J.W. (2014). The sexual and other supportive care needs of Canadaian prostate cancer patients and their partners: Defining the problem and developing interventions. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 24(4), 272-278.
4. Walker, L.M., Beck, A.M., Hampton, A.J., & Robinson, J.W. (2014). A biopsychosocial approach to sexual recovery after prostate cancer treatment: Suggestions for oncology nursing practice. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 24(4), 256-263.
5. Hampton, A.J., Walker, L.M., Beck, A.M., & Robinson, J.W. (2013). A brief couples’ workshop for improving sexual experiences after prostate cancer treatment: A feasibility study. Journal of Supportive Cancer Care, 21(12): 3043-3049.
6. Walker, L.M., Hampton, A.J., & Robinson, J.W. (2013). Assessment of relational intimacy: Factor Analysis of the personal assessment of intimacy in relationships questionnaire, Psycho-Oncology, 23(3): 346-349.
7. Tran, S., Walker, L.M., Wassersug, R.W., Matthew, A.G., McLeod, D.L., & Robinson, J.W. (2013). What do Canadian uro-oncologists believe patients should know about androgen deprivation therapy? Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice. 20(3): 199-209.
8. Walker, L.M., Tran, S., & Robinson, J.W. (2013). Adverse effects of androgen deprivation therapy: A comprehensive review with prevalence rates. Clinical Genitourinary Cancer, 11(4): 375-384.
9. Walker, L.M. & Robinson, J.W. (2012). Back to the basics: Origins of sex therapy, sexual disorder and therapeutic techniques. Reproductive System & Sexual Disorders, 1(2).
10. Walker, L.M., Hampton, A.J. Wassersug, R.J. Thomas, B.C. & Robinson, J.W. (2012) Androgen deprivation therapy and intimacy: A pilot educational intervention to help prostate cancerpatients and their partners maintain intimacy in the face of ADT. Contemporary Clinical Trials. 34:227-231. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2012.11.007
11. Wibowo, E., Wassersug, R., Warkentin, K., Walker, L., Robinson, J., Brotto, L., & Johnson, T. (2012). Impact of androgen deprivation therapy on sexual function: A response. Asian Journalof Andrology. 14: 793-794.
12. Walker, L. M., Tran, S., Wassersug, R. J., Thomas, B., & Robinson, J.W. (2011). Patients and partners lack knowledge of androgen deprivation therapy side effects. Urologic Oncology:Seminars and Original Investigations. doi:10.1016/j.urolonc.2011.12.015
13. Walker, L.M. & Robinson, J.W. (2011). Sexual adjustment to androgen deprivation therapy: Struggles and strategies. Qualitative Health Research, 21, 444-453.
14. Walker, L.M. & Robinson, J.W. (2011). A description of heterosexual couples’ sexual adjustment to androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. PsychoOncology. 20(8):880-888 DOI: 10.1002/pon.1794
15. Elliot, S.E., Latini, D.M., Walker, L.M., Robinson, J.W., & Wassersug, R.J. (2010). Androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: Recommendations to improve quality of life.Journal of Sexual Medicine. 7:2996-3110. DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01902.x
16. Walker, L.M. & Robinson, J.W. (2010). The unique needs of couples experiencing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. Journal of Marital and Sex Therapy, 26(2):154-165.
17. Walker, L.M, Bischoff, T., & Robinson, J.W. (2010). Supportive Expressive Group Therapy for women with advanced ovarian cancer. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 60(3): 407-427.
18. Walker, L.M., & Robinson, J.W. (2009). A qualitative exploration of health care relationships following delayed diagnosis of ovarian cancer and subsequent participation in Supportive Expressive Group Therapy. Oncology Nursing Forum. 36(6), 310-316. doi:10.1188/09.ONF E310-316