Deborah Pinto, PsyD – Mind-Body Therapist
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“As a mind-body therapist, it is my intention to aid patients in enhancing their natural self-healing abilities, working towards creating a fuller, more enriching life,” says Dr. Deborah Pinto. She provides counseling and emotional/psychological support to cancer patients and their caregivers at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Eastern Regional Medical Center.
Dr. Pinto became a member of the hospital’s mind-body team on her birthday, March 8, in 2010. She says of CTCA, “What sets it apart from other hospitals is truly its emphasis on the mind-body-spirit of patients. The kind nature of the stakeholders, who care so deeply and empower patients, is also unique.”
She adds, “Considering this is my life’s work, how fortunate for me that CTCA is in my ‘backyard,’ and that its mission and values have been what I have encouraged in my patients for several years.”
Dr. Pinto completed an internship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. She has served as a psychotherapist and psychologist at healthcare facilities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/University Correctional HealthCare. While practicing at Phoenix Psychological Associates in Wayne, Pennsylvania, Dr. Pinto’s emphasis was on psychosocial oncology issues. She provided counseling services to patients who had been diagnosed with cancer and who were treating for the disease.
Dr. Pinto earned a doctorate degree in clinical psychology and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Immaculata University in Malvern, Pennsylvania. She graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Pinto notes of her education, “My research as a master’s and doctoral student primarily related to psychosocial oncology topics. My doctoral dissertation centered on the effect of journal writing on the mood states of women diagnosed with breast cancer at various stages of the disease.”
Dr. Pinto encourages journal writing to her patients as she believes it can help reduce anxiety and depression.
In her spare time, Dr. Pinto volunteers for Gilda’s Club of South Jersey. She helps coordinate the Buddy-to-Buddy Program, which provides support to those living with cancer.
Dr. Pinto says her mother’s fight against ovarian cancer 35 years ago was a motivating factor behind her decision to become a mind-body therapist for cancer patients.
“At that time, there was scant psychological support offered to patients and their caregivers,” she recalls. “Memory of this experience has influenced my life and guided me to the place I am today.”
Other Mind-Body Therapists at Eastern
- Carol F. Roth, LCSW, BCD, MSS
Mind-Body Therapist
