Julia Ruark, MD, MPH

Why do you offer psychiatric care for patients with cancer?

What I enjoy most about my job is my relationships with patients, spending time with them and listening to their stories. Many of my patients have never seen a psychiatrist before. Some have been dealing with mental health issues for a long time, unable to get the help they deserve because it can be difficult to access psychiatric care within the community. For example, I once worked with a patient whose severe depression stretched back years to a time before she’d been diagnosed with cancer. Eventually, with a lot of support and dedication, she came out of her depression. When her cancer went into remission, she was able to get a new job that was better suited to her life goals. She felt like a new woman. It’s very fulfilling to witness people making a variety of meaningful changes in their lives, whether they’re in the midst of treatment, facing end-of-life or moving on to survivorship.

How do you help patients?

Cancer can cause a tremendous amount of anxiety; sometimes it can feel like the experience of being sick has hijacked your life and the person you used to be. I aim to help you minimize the negative impact of cancer as much as possible so that you can reclaim your life — or perhaps even make it better. Together, we can explore ways to help you experience joy despite cancer, improve the health of your personal relationships and participate in as many of the activities that make your life meaningful as possible. My approach to care is collaborative and centered on your perspective and goals. I see it as my job to offer information and guidance so that you feel empowered to choose the treatments and approaches that are the best fit for you.

Provider Background

Specialty: Psychiatry

Psychiatric care and psychotherapy for patients with cancer and other illnesses

I am a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in caring for patients who have cancer and other medical illnesses. I work with people who are receiving outpatient services at Fred Hutch as well as those who are hospitalized at UW Medical Center. My expertise includes psychotherapy, medication management and cognitive evaluations as well as the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of mental health problems. I also help patients address lifestyle factors that can affect their well-being, such as social connectedness, exercise and sleep. My goal is to help you achieve the best quality of life possible.