Marcus C. Alt, Ph.D.

Professional Background

Marcus Alt, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Psychology in the KUMC Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Director of the Onco-Psychology Program at the University of Kansas Cancer Center, an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is a licensed psychologist in the states of Kansas and Missouri

Dr. Alt earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with honors, from Creighton University (2005-2009). He then obtained his Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology (2009-2015) at University of Iowa. Dr. Alt completed his internship at the APA accredited site, St. Louis VA Healthcare System (2014-2015), focusing on behavioral medicine, primary care mental-health integration, psycho-oncology, and PTSD diagnostic evaluation. From 2015-2016, Dr. Alt served as the Onco-Psychology Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Kansas Cancer Center. He joined faculty at the University of Kansas Medical Center in the fall of 2016. Dr. Alt is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS).

Dr. Alt has clinical experience in general mental health, PTSD, and health psychology, specifically oncology, primary care, and spinal cord injury. He has research interests in mindfulness with chronic illness, impact of gender and sexual orientation on psychological distress, and relationships between multicultural factors and physical and psychological well-being. Dr. Alt has developed a mindfulness-based cancer care program for patients and family members coping with cancer diagnosis, and has partnered with Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Turning Point serving the community.

As a member of the Onco-Psychology program, Dr. Alt provides clinical services to cancer patients and their families at the University of Kansas Cancer Center Community Clinic locations. He offers psychotherapy and psychological assessment, utilizing empirically support treatment modalities for individuals coping with an array of psychological presentations.

• BA, Psychology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE
• PhD, Counseling Psychology , The University of Iowa
• Internship, Clinical Psychology, St. Louis VA Health Care Systems, St. Louis, MO
• Post Doctoral Fellowship, Onco-Psychology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS

• License of Psychology , State of Missouri State Committee of Psychologists
• License of Psychology , State of Missouri State Committee of Psychologists

Research

Overview

Dr. Marcus Alt has a number of wide ranging research interests. He actively engages in the exploration of the use of psychosocial interventions with those receiving cancer care. Specifically, exploration of mindfulness based interventions on psychosocial distress. Dr. Alt leads a research group examining considerations for LGBTQ+ healthcare, with the initiative of providing more thorough, safe, and complete medical care to marginalized populations. He is active in research exploring themes of resiliency and burnout in healthcare providers.

Dr. Alt actively participates in mentorship and training as he regularly engages with practicum students, interns, and fellows in providing individual supervision and collaborating on research projects.