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1300 S 2nd St., Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612)-625-1500
Dr. Chiara Acquati (she/hers, they/theirs) is the Beatrice “Bean” E. Robinson Endowed Chair in Clinical Sexual Health at the Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, and Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School. Recognized for her scholarship at the intersection of psychosocial oncology, dyadic health research, and clinical sexual health, her work examines how close relationships and caregiving processes influence mental health, coping, and sexual well-being across the cancer continuum. Dr. Acquati leads initiatives that advance intervention science, provider training, and translational models of care, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that improve psychosocial care for individuals, couples, and families facing cancer and chronic illness.
Acquati, C., Chen, Q., Arthur, E. K., Reese, J. B., & Gorman, J. (2024). Development of the Partner Version of the Self-Efficacy to Communicate about Sex and Intimacy (SECSI-PV) Scale in the context of cancer survivorship. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology. doi: doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2024.2398095
Acquati, C., Cotter Mena, K., Sanchez, C., LaMarca-Lyon, A., Zhang, A., & Roth, M. (2024). Informing psychosocial care for young couples coping with early-onset breast cancer: A cross-sectional examination of unmet service needs and their association with psychological distress in the first year post diagnosis. Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology. doi: doi.org/10.1089/jayao.2024.0002
Acquati, C., Miller-Sonet, E., Zhang, A., & Ionescu, E. (2023). Social wellbeing in cancer survivorship: A cross-sectional analysis of self-reported relationship closeness and ambivalence from a community sample. Current Oncology, 30(2), 1720–1732. doi: doi.org/10.3390/curroncol30020133
Acquati, C., Hendren, S., Wittmann, D., Reese, J., Karam, E., Duby, A., Dunn, K. B., & Kayser, K. (2022). Psychological and sexual distress of rectal cancer patients and partners. Psycho-Oncology. doi: doi.org/10.1002/pon.5880
Acquati, C., Hibbard, J., Miller-Sonet, E., Zhang, A., & Ionescu, E. (2021). Patient activation and treatment decision-making in the context of cancer: Examining the contribution of informal caregiver’s involvement. Journal of Cancer Survivorship. doi: doi.org/10.1007/s11764-021-01085-9
Acquati, C. & Kayser, K. (2019). Dyadic coping across the lifespan: A comparison
between younger and middle-aged couples with breast cancer. Frontiers in Psychology -
Psychology for Clinical Settings. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00404
Acquati, C., Zebrack, B., Faul, A., Embry, L., Aguilar, C., Block, R., Hayes-Lattin, B., Freyer, D., & Cole, S. (2018). Sexual functioning among young adult cancer patients: A 2-year longitudinal study. Cancer, 124(2), 398–405. doi: doi.org/10.1002/cncr.31030
Stress and Coping: Adaptation to health-related stressors; dyadic and family-based coping processes
Close Relationships and Caregiving: Interpersonal and relational dynamics in the context of health and illness
Psychosocial Oncology: Oncology social work, adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology, supportive care, and cancer survivorship
Clinical Sexual Health and Oncosexology: Sexual functioning, intimacy, and well-being among individuals and couples facing cancer and chronic illness
Oncofertility and Reproductive Decision-Making: Fertility preservation, reproductive concerns, and transition to parenthood
Intervention Research: Development and evaluation of interventions to promote coping, communication, and symptom management
Methodological Expertise: Dyadic data analysis, longitudinal modeling, and mixed-methods designs
Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners: LMSW; License Number 68403; Minnesota Board of Social Work: LGSW; License Number 35163
American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS)
Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW)
International Association for Relationship Research (IARR)
International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS)
The Scientific Network on Female Sexual Health and Cancer
Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA)
Dr. Chiara Acquati is a licensed social worker specializing in psychosocial oncology, dyadic health, and clinical sexual health. Her clinical practice focuses on supporting individuals and couples navigating the emotional, relational, and sexual challenges associated with cancer and other chronic illnesses. Drawing on evidence-based modalities—including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and relationship-centered approaches—she integrates research and clinical practice to promote resilience, communication, and intimacy. Dr. Acquati is licensed by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners (LMSW, License #68403) and the Minnesota Board of Social Work (LGSW, License #35163). She also completed the Sexual Health Certificate Program in the Sex Therapy and Sexuality Education at the University of Michigan School of Social Work (2019–2020).
Dr. Acquati is an educator deeply committed to integrating evidence-based, relationship-centered, and inclusive pedagogy in health and social work education. She has taught across MSW and PhD programs, offering courses in Research and Knowledge Building in Social Work Practice, Evaluation of Practice, Social Work in Health Care Settings, and Research Methods I and II. Her teaching emphasizes the connection between theory, research, and clinical practice, particularly within psychosocial oncology and health contexts. Dr. Acquati has also served as a field instructor and preceptor in interprofessional education programs, mentoring teams of medical, nursing, and social work students. She actively mentors doctoral students and early-career scholars, fostering the next generation of clinician-researchers and advancing interprofessional learning that bridges research, practice, and policy.
Dr. Acquati contributes her research and scholarly expertise to nonprofit and professional organizations, including the Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW), Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA)—serving on the Oncosexology and Mental Health Committees—the Scientific Network on Female Sexual Health and Cancer (Board of Directors), and the Association of Community Care Centers, where she supports advisory, educational, and research capacity-building initiatives. She is the past Research Director for AOSW (2021–2023), co-chair of the Caregivers, Partners & Co-Survivors Special Interest Group, and a Fellow of the organization. Through these roles, Dr. Acquati advances interdisciplinary collaboration, professional development, and psychosocial oncology scholarship. Her service further extends to research and community partnerships that enhance equitable, person-centered cancer care, including initiatives that build institutional and provider capacity to address psychosocial needs of patients, partners, and families.