Faculty

Shelley A. Johns, PsyD, MS

Associate Professor of Medicine

Address

Indiana University Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research, Regenstrief Institute
1101 W. 10th St.

Indianapolis , IN 46202

Bio

Dr. Shelley Johns is a board-certified clinical health psychologist and Regenstrief Institute Research Scientist. Her patient-oriented research primarily focuses on testing integrative mind-body interventions to reduce cancer-related fatigue and associated symptoms for post-treatment cancer survivors and improving adaptive coping and quality of life for adults with advanced-stage cancer and their family caregivers.

Dr. Johns has received a Young Investigator Award from the Indiana Clinical Translational Sciences Institute (Indiana CTSI), a Walther Research Scholar Award through the Fairbanks Center for Medical Ethics, and pilot grants from the IUPUI Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Communication and Training, IU Health, and Walther Cancer Foundation. She serves as a member of the IU School of Medicine's Palliative Medicine Fellowship Executive Committee, associate member of the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program, affiliated faculty with the IU Health Fairbanks Center for Medical Ethics, and as an affiliated investigator with the Indiana University School of Medicine Diabetes Translational Research Center.

Expertise

symptom management in post-treatment cancer survivors | health psychology | palliative care research

Titles & Appointments

Associate Professor of Medicine
Walther Scholar in Psycho-Oncology
Research Scientist, William M. Tierney Center for Health Services Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc.

Education

1999 PsyD Indiana State University

1996 MS Indiana State University

1993 BS Indiana State University

1987 BS Indiana State University
Research

Active Projects

IU Health. (7/1/20-6/30/22). "Reaching Our Colleagues: A Formative Study to Evaluate Approaches for Enhancing Wellness Among Health Care Providers at IU Health." PI: de Groot. Role: Co-Investigator.

Indiana CTSI. (04/01/20-03/31/22). "Telephone Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Caregivers (TACTICs) of Adults with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial." PI: Johns.

R21CA235788, NIH/NCI. (03/13/19-05/31/21). "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Fatigue Interference in Advanced Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients and Caregiver Burden." PI: Mosher. Role: Co-Investigator

R01CA230542, NIH/NCI. (03/08/19-02/28/23). "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Fatigue Interference in Metastatic Breast Cancer." PI: Mosher. Role: Co-Investigator.
Publications

Acceptance and commitment therapy for breast cancer survivors with fear of cancer recurrence: A 3-arm pilot randomized controlled trial.
Johns SA; Stutz PV; Talib TL; Cohee AA; Beck-Coon KA; Brown LF; Wilhelm LR; Monahan PO; LaPradd ML; Champion VL; Miller KD; Giesler RB; Cancer 2019 Sep 20

The relationship between acceptance of cancer and distress: A meta-analytic review.
Secinti E; Tometich DB; Johns SA; Mosher CE; Clinical psychology review 2019 May 3

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Symptom Interference in Advanced Lung Cancer and Caregiver Distress: A Pilot Randomized Trial.
Mosher CE; Secinti E; Hirsh AT; Hanna N; Einhorn LH; Jalal SI; Durm G; Champion VL; Johns SA; Journal of pain and symptom management 2019 Jun 28

Mindfulness Training Supports Quality of Life and Advance Care Planning in Adults With Metastatic Cancer and Their Caregivers: Results of a Pilot Study.
Johns SA; Beck-Coon K; Stutz PV; Talib TL; Chinh K; Cottingham AH; Schmidt K; Shields C; Stout ME; Stump TE; Monahan PO; Torke AM; Helft PR; The American journal of hospice & palliative care 2019 Aug 4

Social correlates of mental health in gastrointestinal cancer patients and their family caregivers: Exploring the role of loneliness.
Secinti E; Rand KL; Johns SA; O'Neil BH; Helft PR; Shahda S; Jalal SI; Mosher CE; Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer 2018 Sep 17

Metastatic breast cancer patients' expectations and priorities for symptom improvement.
Tometich DB; Mosher CE; Hirsh AT; Rand KL; Johns SA; Matthias MS; Outcalt SD; Schneider BP; Mina L; Storniolo AMV; Newton EV; Miller KD; Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer 2018 May 7

Addressing personal barriers to advance care planning: Qualitative investigation of a mindfulness-based intervention for adults with cancer and their family caregivers.
Cottingham AH; Beck-Coon K; Bernat JK; Helft PR; Schmidt K; Shields CG; Torke AM; Johns SA; Palliative & supportive care 2018 Jun 8

Abbreviated dignity therapy for adults with advanced-stage cancer and their family caregivers: Qualitative analysis of a pilot study.
Beck A; Cottingham AH; Stutz PV; Gruber R; Bernat JK; Helft PR; Wilhelm L; Schmidt K; Stout ME; Willard C; Johns SA; Palliative & supportive care 2018 Jul 24

Acceptance and commitment therapy for symptom interference in metastatic breast cancer patients: a pilot randomized trial.
Mosher CE; Secinti E; Li R; Hirsh AT; Bricker J; Miller KD; Schneider B; Storniolo AM; Mina L; Newton EV; Champion VL; Johns SA; Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer 2018 Jan 12

Spiritual Experiences of Adults With Advanced Cancer in Outpatient Clinical Settings.
Maiko S; Johns SA; Helft PR; Slaven JE; Cottingham AH; Torke AM; Journal of pain and symptom management 2018 Dec 6

Examining the effect of peer helping in a coping skills intervention: a randomized controlled trial for advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients and their family caregivers.
Mosher CE; Secinti E; Johns SA; O'Neil BH; Helft PR; Shahda S; Jalal SI; Champion VL; Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation 2017 Jun 10

Cancer, Cognitive Impairment, and Work-Related Outcomes: An Integrative Review.
Von Ah D; Storey S; Tallman E; Nielsen A; Johns SA; Pressler S; Oncology nursing forum 2016 Sep 1

Symptom experiences in metastatic breast cancer patients: relationships to activity engagement, value-based living, and psychological inflexibility.
Mosher CE; Tometich DB; Hirsh A; Rand KL; Johns SA; Matthias MS; Outcalt SD; Bricker J; Schneider B; Mina L; Storniolo AM; Newton E; Miller K; Psycho-oncology 2016 Oct 11

The Family Navigator: A Pilot Intervention to Support Intensive Care Unit Family Surrogates.
Torke AM; Wocial LD; Johns SA; Sachs GA; Callahan CM; Bosslet GT; Slaven JE; Perkins SM; Hickman SE; Montz K; Burke ES; American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses 2016 Nov

Randomized controlled pilot trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction compared to psychoeducational support for persistently fatigued breast and colorectal cancer survivors.
Johns SA; Brown LF; Beck-Coon K; Talib TL; Monahan PO; Giesler RB; Tong Y; Wilhelm L; Carpenter JS; Von Ah D; Wagner CD; de Groot M; Schmidt K; Monceski D; Danh M; Alyea JM; Miller KD; Kroenke K; Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer 2016 May 17

Factors underlying metastatic breast cancer patients' perceptions of symptom importance: a qualitative analysis.
Mosher CE; Daily S; Tometich D; Matthias MS; Outcalt SD; Hirsh A; Johns SA; Rand K; Schneider B; Mina L; Storniolo AM; Newton E; Miller K; European journal of cancer care 2016 Jul 27

Factors associated with depressive symptoms in young long-term breast cancer survivors.
Cohee AA; Stump T; Adams RN; Johns SA; Von Ah D; Zoppi K; Fife B; Monahan PO; Cella D; Champion VL; Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation 2016 Feb 16

Long-term fear of recurrence in young breast cancer survivors and partners.
Cohee AA; Adams RN; Johns SA; Von Ah D; Zoppi K; Fife B; Monahan PO; Stump T; Cella D; Champion VL; Psycho-oncology 2015 Oct 21

Randomized controlled pilot trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction for breast and colorectal cancer survivors: effects on cancer-related cognitive impairment.
Johns SA; Von Ah D; Brown LF; Beck-Coon K; Talib TL; Alyea JM; Monahan PO; Tong Y; Wilhelm L; Giesler RB; Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice 2015 Nov 19

Piloting an abbreviated dignity therapy intervention using a legacy-building web portal for adults with terminal cancer: a feasibility and acceptability study.
Bernat JK; Helft PR; Wilhelm LR; Hook NE; Brown LF; Althouse SK; Johns SA; Psycho-oncology 2015 Mar 9

Acceptability and Feasibility of a Meaning-Based Intervention for Patients With Advanced Cancer and Their Spouses: A Pilot Study.
Wagner CD; Johns S; Brown LF; Hanna N; Bigatti SM; The American journal of hospice & palliative care 2015 Mar 9

Unresolved Pain Interference among Colorectal Cancer Survivors: Implications for Patient Care and Outcomes.
Kenzik K; Pisu M; Johns SA; Baker T; Oster RA; Kvale E; Fouad MN; Martin MY; Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) 2015 Mar 20

Randomized controlled pilot study of mindfulness-based stress reduction for persistently fatigued cancer survivors.
Johns SA; Brown LF; Beck-Coon K; Monahan PO; Tong Y; Kroenke K; Psycho-oncology 2014 Aug 17

Translating dignity therapy into practice: effects and lessons learned.
Johns SA; Omega 2013

Somatic symptoms in cancer patients trajectory over 12 months and impact on functional status and disability.
Kroenke K; Johns SA; Theobald D; Wu J; Tu W; Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer 2012 Sep 1

Predicting fear of breast cancer recurrence and self-efficacy in survivors by age at diagnosis.
Ziner KW; Sledge GW; Bell CJ; Johns S; Miller KD; Champion VL; Oncology nursing forum 2012 May 1

Longitudinal comparison of three depression measures in adult cancer patients.
Johns SA; Kroenke K; Krebs EE; Theobald DE; Wu J; Tu W; Journal of pain and symptom management 2012 Aug 22

Developing effective cancer pain education programs.
Martin MY; Pisu M; Kvale EA; Johns SA; Current pain and headache reports 2012 Aug

Telecare management of pain and depression in patients with cancer: patient satisfaction and predictors of use.
Johns SA; Kroenke K; Theobald DE; Wu J; Tu W; The Journal of ambulatory care management 2011 Apr

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trials of venlafaxine for hot flashes after breast cancer.
Carpenter JS; Storniolo AM; Johns S; Monahan PO; Azzouz F; Elam JL; Johnson CS; Shelton RC; The oncologist 2007 Jan
Professional Organizations

American Psychological Association

American Psychosocial Oncology Society

American Society of Clinical Oncology

Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers

Society of Behavioral Medicine
Clinical Interests

Dr. Johns is a board certified clinical health psychologist who is recognized by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). She was the first in the State of Indiana to achieve this certification and currently is one of eight statewide and one of about 260 across the United States. She is a Licensed Psychologist with the State of Indiana, an endorsed Health Service Provider in Psychology by the Indiana Psychology Board, listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Health Psychology. She is a staff psychologist at Eskanazi Health.

CLINICAL INTERESTS Behavioral Oncology | Assessment/Treatment of Cancer-related Symptoms | Palliative Care | Mindfulness-Based Interventions | Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

HOSPITALS & AFFILIATIONS Physician Group: IU Health Physicians Hospital Privileges: Eskenazi Hospital

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