About Me
About Me
Mariusz Wirga, M.D.
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4333-0117
I am a psychiatrist, cognitive behavioral therapist & CBT trainer, and psycho-oncologist. I am a co-author (with Maxie C. Maultsby, Jr. and Michael DeBernardi) of ABC of Your Emotions, a 340 page book with 280 cartoon-like illustrations explaining our emotions and how to manage them effectively. I serve as the medical director for the Psychosocial Oncology program at the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute and the Chair of Psychiatry, at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. For over 35 years, I have been refining ways of addressing the emotional, psychological, interpersonal, as well as the spiritual or philosophical needs of participants in my classes, workshops, groups, and individual sessions. My primary focus has been working with patients affected by cancer and their families.With Dr. O. Carl Simonton teaching 1998.
After graduating from Medical University in Poznan, Poland in 1987, I started leading groups for cancer patients. Initially, I worked as a resident in pathology and later transitioned to radiation oncology. However, I eventually switched my specialization to psychiatry and completed my residency in Psychiatry at the State University of New York Downstate in Brooklyn, NY, and then at Howard University in Washington, DC, under the supervision of Maxie C. Maultsby, Jr, M.D., one of the pioneers in cognitive-behavior therapy and a highly distinguished African American psychiatrist. I obtained my certification from the Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in 2000.Second row from the right, my mentors O. Carl Simonton, Maxie Maultsby, Jr., I, David Burns and other distinguished colleagues .
First row from the right kneeling my friend, colleague, co-inventor, and co-author Michael DeBernardi
First row from the right kneeling my friend, colleague, co-inventor, and co-author Michael DeBernardi
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of training extensively with leaders and pioneers in their respective fields. Personally, I received training from renowned experts such as Dr. O. Carl Simonton (a radiation oncologist and pioneer of mind-body oncology), Dr. Maxie C. Maultsby Jr, Dr. Albert Ellis (the father of cognitive therapies), Dr. Marsha Linehan (a pioneer in therapy for personality disorders and self-harm), Dr. Barbara Andersen (a researcher specializing in biobehavioral interventions to improve cancer survival), David Burns (known for TEAM-CBT), Susan Michie and Robert West (experts in lifestyle modification and behavioral change at the University College London), and Dr. Peter Fenner (an expert in mindfulness and Nondual therapy). My work and friendship with Dr. Simonton spanned two decades and involved international lecturing, workshops, and the development of standards in mind-body oncology. Together, we formulated and tested new ideas and refined therapeutic tools. Following Dr. Simonton's passing, I assumed the role of Medical Director at the Simonton Cancer Center in Malibu, California.
Over time, I became recognized as an expert in cognitive-behavior therapy, psycho-oncology, mindfulness, lifestyle modification, behavior change, stress management, and cultivating wellbeing. I have had the opportunity to lecture and conduct workshops on these subjects internationally. Since 2009, I have been serving as the medical director for the Psychosocial Oncology program at the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Memorial. Since 2022 I’ve been organizing and presenting at international TEAM CBT Intensive Workshops and Conferences.
I am the founder of the Beat the Odds®: A Mind-Body Cancer Survivorship Program workshops at TCI in Long Beach. Additionally, I developed the Boost the Odds Program – From Cancer Survivor to Life Thriver, which aims to decrease modifiable lifestyle cancer risk factors and enhance the quality of life for cancer survivors. The program focuses on skills such as stress management, social support, communication, nutrition, physical exercise, sleep and rest, play and laughter, creative expression, and connection with nature. More information about my program can be accessed at www.beat-the-odds.org.
I am the founder of the Beat the Odds®: A Mind-Body Cancer Survivorship Program workshops at TCI in Long Beach. Additionally, I developed the Boost the Odds Program – From Cancer Survivor to Life Thriver, which aims to decrease modifiable lifestyle cancer risk factors and enhance the quality of life for cancer survivors. The program focuses on skills such as stress management, social support, communication, nutrition, physical exercise, sleep and rest, play and laughter, creative expression, and connection with nature. More information about my program can be accessed at www.beat-the-odds.org.
My administrative experience includes serving as the Chief Resident (1996-1997) at the Department of Psychiatry, Howard University Hospital, and as the Chief of Psychiatry at the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute, which is the only state-owned and operated psychiatric hospital in New Mexico.
Throughout the years, I have held various adjunct faculty positions, including at the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) from 1999 to 2003, the Western University of Health Sciences (Pomona, CA) from 2006 to 2012, and the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) from 2012 to 2017.
Throughout the years, I have held various adjunct faculty positions, including at the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) from 1999 to 2003, the Western University of Health Sciences (Pomona, CA) from 2006 to 2012, and the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) from 2012 to 2017.
Since 2007, I've also been practicing sport psychiatry by involving my patients in sports. Since I am an International Kiteboarding Organization certified instructor and former ski instructor, I primarily use these sports as therapeutic tools. For a person recovering from cancer, overcoming all mental obstacles of mastering kitesurfing is an excellent metaphor for overcoming cancer-related fears, its treatment, and its survivorship.
Belmont Shore Kitesurfing Beach is only 15 minutes from the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute and our season in Long Beach is from March to October. And then the ski season begins. Scuba season in Southern California never ends.
Having had experience in competitive sports, I also help athletes non-pharmacologically in preparing mentally for competitions, achieving their highest potential. I also help them return pros and amateurs alike to return to sports after sustaining injuries.
Belmont Shore Kitesurfing Beach is only 15 minutes from the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute and our season in Long Beach is from March to October. And then the ski season begins. Scuba season in Southern California never ends.
Having had experience in competitive sports, I also help athletes non-pharmacologically in preparing mentally for competitions, achieving their highest potential. I also help them return pros and amateurs alike to return to sports after sustaining injuries.
Primary Investigator for “Effectiveness of mobile application-based cognitive-behavioral therapy in women treated for cancer: a randomized controlled pilot study in the United States of America” - Investigator-Initiated Trial, MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute, Protocol # LW-US-2022-01
Primary Investigator for MedNeon iGAP Registry Sponsor Protocol #IGAP1000, WIRB CIR 1-1440597-1
Primary Investigator for the feasibility study: The Application of the Interactive Virtual Reality Software to Deliver a Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Program and Its Effectiveness on Psychological, Quality of Life, Social Support, and Physiological Outcomes. MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute. Prosoma.
“Peer Coaching for Physical Activity Promotion among Breast
Cancer Survivors: Adapting an Efficacious Intervention to Prepare for Implementation.” Multicenter project with Bernardine M. Pinto, Ph.D.
University of South Carolina
Primary Investigator for MedNeon iGAP Registry Sponsor Protocol #IGAP1000, WIRB CIR 1-1440597-1
Primary Investigator for the feasibility study: The Application of the Interactive Virtual Reality Software to Deliver a Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Program and Its Effectiveness on Psychological, Quality of Life, Social Support, and Physiological Outcomes. MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute. Prosoma.
“Peer Coaching for Physical Activity Promotion among Breast
Cancer Survivors: Adapting an Efficacious Intervention to Prepare for Implementation.” Multicenter project with Bernardine M. Pinto, Ph.D.
University of South Carolina
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International trainings & conferences
Science Articles
- Maults by, M. C., & Wirga, M. (2001). Behavior Therapy. In H. S. Friedman (Ed.), Assessment and Therapy, Encyclopedia of Mental Health (pp. 9–22). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012267806-6/50036-6
- Wirga, M., & DeBernardi, M. (2002). The ABCs of Cognition, Emotion, and Action. Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 4(1), 5–16.
- Wirga, M., Nawara, I., Malec, A., Wirga, A. H., & Działa, A. (2002). Poznawcze i emocjonalne aspekty choroby nowotworowej–model terapeutycznej interwencji w kryzysie emocjonalnym, duchowym i egzystencjalnym. [Cognitive and Emotional Aspects of Cancer – A Model of Therapeutic Intervention In Emotional, Spiritual, and Existential Crisis] Psychoonkologia, 6(3), 53–63. https://doi.org/10.1066/S10013020009
- Wojtyna, E., Zycinska, J., & Wirga, M. (2008). Cognitive-behavior therapy, perception of somatic symptoms and physical functioning in women with breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 17(3), S94–S95.
- Wirga, M. (2010). Imagery as currently used in the Simonton Program in addressing both emotional and physical distress. Psycho-Oncology, 19, S309–S310.
- Wirga, M. (2010). Nondenominational, Cognitive-Behavioral Spiritual and/or Existential Counseling. APOS 7th Annual Conference, 19 February 2010: SYMPOSIUM: Spirituality and Cancer: How It Helps and How to Effectively Help Clients Use It to Cope. http://apos.conference-services.net/reports/template/onetextabstract.xml?xsl=template/onetextabstract.xsl&conferenceID=1865&abstractID=352814
- Wirga, M. (2012). Suffering: Its anatomy, physiology and mystique demystified from the Nondual Medicine Perspective. In J. Binnebesel, Z. Formella, P. Krakowiak, & Z. Domzal (Eds.), Experiencing suffering (Vol. 1, pp. 121–147). LAS – Libreria Ateneo Salesiano.
- Wirga, M., & Stępniewska-Gębik, H. (2017). Zdrowa nadzieja rodzica w sytuacji choroby nowotworowej dziecka – rola nieprzywiązywania do rezultatu (Eng.: Healthy parental hope in the face of child’s cancer – the role of non-attachment to outcome). Psychoonkologia, 21(4), 135–141. https://doi.org/10.5114/pson.2017.77548
- Wirga, M., DeBernardi, M., Wirga, A., Wirga, M. L., Banout, M., & Fuller, O. G. (2020). Maultsby’s Rational Behavior Therapy: Background, Description, Practical Applications, and Recent Developments. Journal of Rational - Emotive and Cognitive - Behavior Therapy, 38(3), 399–423. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-020-00341-8
- Kałwa, A., Wirga, M., & Wirga, A. H. (2021). The Application of Maultsby’s Rational Behavior Therapy in Psychosis – A Case Report. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-021-00391-6
- de Walden-Gałuszko, K., Heyda, A., Wojtkiewicz, M., Mróz, P., Majkowicz, M., & Wirga, M. (2021). High prevalence of somatic complaints and psychological problems despite high self-declared quality of life in long-term cancer survivors. Oncology in Clinical Practice, 0(0).