University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

About PCMC

The outpatient PCMC Program specializes in brief intervention services for patients who are typically referred by physicians in other medical specialties. PCMC services typically include evaluations and short-term treatment to assess mental health concerns and complications arising secondary to medical disorders or their treatment, assessment for potential organ transplantation or surgical interventions, evaluation for our chronic medical illness group, and psychopharmacological consultations in medically complex patients. Common co-morbid medical conditions include diseases such as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), post intensive care syndrome (PICS), movement disorders, cancer, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, neurocognitive disorders and endocrine dysfunction. PCMC is now also offering brief individual psychotherapy as well as a variety of group therapy offerings.

Specialty Areas

Patients who are experiencing psychiatric symptoms or complications secondary to medical disorders or treatments such as:
- Endocrine disorders
- Neurological disease (ie. stroke, TBI, Parkinson's disease, dementia, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy)
- Deep-brain stimulator surgery
- HIV
- Transplant
- Cancer
- Post acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC or Long-Haulers syndrome)
- Post intensive care syndrome (PICS)
Patients interested in process and skill building psychotherapy groups for:
- Post acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC or Long-Haulers syndrome)
Coping with chronic illness
Patients interested in brief psychotherapy to address challenges associated with medical disorders or treatments such as:
- Coping with and adjusting to new medical diagnoses
- Coping with progression or complication of pre-existing medical conditions
- Traumatic injuries (burn, spinal cord injury, etc.)
- Medical trauma as a result of treatment for medical conditions

Who we see

Patients who are experiencing psychiatric symptoms or complications secondary to medical disorders or treatments such as endocrine disorders, neurological disease (ie. stroke, TBI, Parkinson's disease, dementia, multiple sclerosis), deep-brain stimulator surgery, HIV, transplant or cancer.
Patients who may benefit from specialized psychopharmacological consultations such as medically complex or geriatric patients.
Patients who are interested in participating in a 9-week psychoeducational and skill building group about coping with chronic medical illness or psychotherapy groups for COVID-19 survivors
Post-ICU and post-COVID patients experiencing associated mental health difficulties including the need for cognitive screening
Patients who would benefit from brief psychotherapy to address challenges associated with medical disorders or treatments such as:
- Coping with and adjusting to new medical diagnoses
- Coping with progression or complication of pre-existing medical conditions
- Traumatic injuries (burn, spinal cord injury, etc.)
- Medical trauma as a result of treatment for medical conditions

Who would not benefit?

Patients who will need long-term psychiatric care exceeding 1-6 medication sessions or brief psychotherapy
Patients seeking general psychiatric care
Patients with high psychiatric case management needs or who require involuntary outpatient treatment
Patients experiencing acute safety concerns that would be better served by emergency evaluation

Group Therapy Services

Post-COVID Therapy Process Groups

These are ongoing and open process groups for patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19. There are two groups being offered right now:

Post-COVID ICU: This group is for patients who required ICU-level hospitalization for COVID-19 and would like to discuss their experiences and any subsequent psychological or psychiatric struggles and connect with others who have had COVID-19.
Post-COVID: This group is for patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and either required medical (but not ICU-level) hospitalization or who were not hospitalized. Patients would be appropriate for this group if they would like to connect with other COVID-19 survivors and process their experiences and any subsequent psychological or psychiatric challenges.

Who would not benefit?

Patients experiencing acute safety concerns such as active suicidal or homicidal ideation
Patients experiencing acute worsening of psychotic symptoms such as hearing voices or having disabling delusional thoughts
Patients with significant traumatic brain injury (TBI) or developmental disorder
Patients with significant ongoing substance use disorder(s) that impairs their functioning
Patients who did not have a confirmed COVID-19 infection and/or subsequent COVID-19 long-haul symptoms
Patients who do not have access to technology (camera and audio) to attend virtual groups appointments

Location/Time

Where: Virtual, patients will be given access to the virtual therapy room
When: Alternating Thursdays from 10am - 11:30am

Coping with Illness Group

This 9-week group aims to help people better manage and cope with chronic medical illnesses through:

Practicing skills such as mindfulness and sleep hygiene
Learning different ways to cope
Exploring the ways your medical illnesses impact your emotions and the relationships with people around you
Connecting with and receiving support from other people who struggle with chronic medical illnesses

Who would benefit?

Patients who are experiencing distress and difficulty as a result of chronic medical illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, COPD/emphysema, headaches, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, lupus, arthritis, chronic pain, kidney disease and similar significant illnesses.

Who would not benefit?

Patients experiencing acute safety concerns such as feeling very suicidal or being violent
Patients experiencing acute worsening of psychotic symptoms such as hearing voices or having disabling delusional thoughts.
Patients with significant traumatic brain injury (TBI) or developmental disorder
Patients with a primary diagnosis of somatization, conversion, or Illness Anxiety Disorder without co-occurring medical diagnosis
Patients with significant ongoing alcoholism or substance abuse that impairs their functioning.

Location/Time

Virtual via secure telehealth connection on Tuesdays from 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Commitment: Members must commit to attending 9 weekly group sessions in addition to weekly homework assignments

Thida M. Thant, MD

Medical Director, Psychiatric Consultation for the Medically Complex Program/Psychiatrist

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Devin Greene, MD

Associate director, Psychiatrist, Psychiatric Consultation for the Medically Complex Program

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Holly Gerber, PsyD

Psychologist, Psychiatric Consultation for the Medically Complex Program

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Merlin Ariefdjohan, PhD, MPH

Director of Clinical Research and Evaluation, Psychiatric Consultation for the Medically Complex Program

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The CU Anschutz PCMC Program accepts many insurance plans, including Medicare and most Medicaid RAE's. Please call your insurance plan to verify our providers are in your insurance network. Ask about copays, deductible, and coinsurance so you are aware of what your out-of-pocket responsibility will be.