Megan E. Solberg, Ph.D.

Professional Background

Megan E. Solberg, Ph.D. is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology in the KUMC Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; and a member of the Onco-Psychology Program at the University of Kansas Cancer Center, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center.

Dr. Solberg provides psychotherapy (inpatient and outpatient) to individuals coping with an array of concerns including cancer-related distress and life disruption, quality-of-life issues, cancer survivorship, existential distress, caregiver burnout, and navigating relationship dynamics in the context of acute and chronic illness. She has completed specialized psychological training in hematological malignancies and cellular therapy, breast cancer, palliative care, gastrointestinal cancers, and brain cancer. Dr. Solberg is also skilled in conducting psychological evaluations and brief cognitive testing for allogeneic and autologous stem cell transplant candidates and patients undergoing chimeric-antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T).

Dr. Solberg is passionate about (1) addressing the psychological and emotional needs of cancer patients and caregivers; (2) helping people with cancer increase their sense of meaning and connection to life; and (3) improving psychosocial support for young adults impacted by cancer. Her relevant supplemental training includes Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy program, NYU Langone’s ECHO “Enriching Communication Skills for Health Professionals in Oncofertility” program, and an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Bootcamp. She is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS). Dr. Solberg has also served as the Advocacy Chair for KUMC’s Diversity Committee in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences since 2022.

Outside of her professional role, Dr. Solberg enjoys movies/film, reading fiction and poetry, creative writing, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family and beloved dog.

• BA, Anthropology, Environmental Studies, New York University
• MA, Counseling Psychology, University of Denver
• PhD, Counseling Psychology, University of Denver
• Post Doctoral Fellowship, Onco-Psychology, Clinical Health Psychology, University of Kansas Medical Center

• Licensed Psychologist, State of Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board

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Research

Overview

Dr. Solberg received an Outstanding Research Award from the University of Denver in 2023 for her dissertation work, which explored the specific function of humor in helping a young adult survivor to cope with, navigate, and make meaning of an advanced cancer diagnosis within the context of a close friendship. Her graduate research reflects extensive collaboration with cancer survivorship organizations (e.g., Cancer and Careers; Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers; Smith Center for Healing and the Arts; the Stupid Cancer organization).

• Raque-Bogdan, Trisha., L., Nellis, Rebecca, Becker, Rachel, Solberg, Megan, Zech, Olivia. 2021. Walking on thin ice: How cancer survivors manage disclosure at work. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 39 (2), 252-267. https://doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2020.1856282
• Raque-Bogdan, Trisha., L., Ash-Lee, Susan, Mitchell, Jill, Joseph, Ellen, Ross, Kaitlin, Solberg, Megan, Owen, Jesse. 2020. A group positive psychology intervention for cancer survivors and caregivers: A pilot study of Activating Happiness©. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 38 (6), 649-669. https://doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2020.1801943