Pediatric Oncology Social Work
The entire family is impacted when a life-threatening disease affects a child. Pediatric social workers can assist with the roller-coaster of experiences that may come up during a child’s cancer diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment transition. UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center has speciļ¬c expertise to provide developmentally-appropriate psychosocial care for children with cancer as well as help support their families as well.
Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), part of the cancer center’s Supportive Oncology and Survivorship program, have master of social work (MSW) degrees in addition to completing several additional clinical requirements and exams to hold a board-qualifying license.
Pediatric social workers provide:
- Psychosocial assessments and care planning to address cancer-related emotional, social, and practical concerns
- Short-term counseling to help patients and their families adjust to diagnosis and treatment
- Stress reduction and relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety
- Facilitation of family discussions about the impact cancer has on the whole family
- Assistance with advocating and communicating concerns or needs
- Support with end-of-treatment transition and survivorship concerns
- Specialized supportive services for adolescent and young adult cancer patients
How to reach a social worker
Please call 916-734-5959 and ask to speak with a pediatric social worker or talk with your doctor or nurse about a referral for social work services.
For more resources, please visit the Patient and Family Learning Center