Stephen White, LCSW – Mind-Body Therapist
Learn More About Mind-Body Medicine At Western: Chat with Us | Email Us
Degrees
MA, Social Work - University of Chicago
BS, Biology - Lyman Briggs College of Michigan State University, East Lansing
Certifications
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Diplomate, Clinical Social Work
Practicing Since
1981
"In the Mind-Body Medicine Department at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, we work from a strength-based cognitive behavioral perspective by encouraging patients to do things to enhance their mood and, as a result, their immune system."
Stephen White, LCSW
Mind-Body Therapist
Stephen White, a mind-body therapist at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Western Regional Medical Center, graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in biology from Lyman Briggs College of Michigan State University. He then attended the University of Chicago for graduate school, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in social work with a clinical concentration.
White is a licensed clinical social worker and a board certified diplomate in clinical social work. White also holds certification in child protection training from the State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. He is fluent in Spanish.
During his years in Chicago, White served as a social worker for several organizations. He also served as a supervisor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Chicago Medical Center. There, he offered counseling to couples, families and groups. White’s duties also included supervising graduate social work students from four major universities.
In 1997, White moved to Arizona where he worked as a treatment program manager in Scottsdale and Glendale. Over the coming years, he held positions as an associate director for a mental rehabilitation facility, a social worker, and restarted his private practice.
White’s positive attitude fits in well with the team of devoted doctors, clinicians and staff at CTCA. When patients visit Western for their initial consultation, they are required to meet with a mind-body medicine therapist. Thereafter, patients can choose whether or not they would like to continue their visits. White notes that seeing a mind-body therapist can help a person through their cancer journey by providing ways to combat anxiety and depression.
White describes mind-body medicine appointments: “We work with patients to decrease stress, whether brought on by the cancer or other events in their lives. We usually work one-on-one with patients or work with them alongside a caregiver.”
According to White, some patients deal with procedures better than others. He says: “Some patients become panic stricken or claustrophobic when placed in a confined space, such as certain radiation apparatus. We teach patients relaxation exercises.” Aside from deep breathing training, patients at Western can take advantage of other offerings within the Mind-Body Medicine Department such as support groups and music therapy.
When he is not teaching cancer patients the value of the mind-body approach, White can be found hiking, skiing, sailing and, most of all, traveling. He also enjoys indoor activities such as reading, piano, voice and cinema.
White also manages to find time to lead an investment club, participate as a member of a gourmet club, and volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. White has two ambitious children and is now a proud grandfather. “My grandson gives the Gerber kid an inferiority complex!” he states.
Other Mind-Body Therapists at Western
- Marcia Murphy, LCSW
Mind-Body Therapist
