Patient Information

Social Work

Clinical social workers are licensed mental health professionals who are available to provide counseling and emotional support to patients and families from diagnosis, treatment, and throughout the continuum of care. Social workers closely collaborate with other team members such as the gynecologic oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurses, and other providers to promote patient/family focused care in both the hospital and outpatient clinic.

Patients and families often experience significant stress as they cope with the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual challenges that may accompany a cancer diagnosis. Social workers assess and respond to a range of psychosocial needs such as:

• Adjustment of patient and family to diagnosis and treatment
• Concern about impact on loved ones
• Depression and anxiety
• Complex family situations
• Issues of self-image
• Relationships and sexuality
• Role changes
• Limited support network
• Caregiver concerns
• Living with advanced disease
• Grief and loss
• Social and financial concerns
• Substance abuse
• Domestic violence
• Challenge of living with uncertainty while sustaining hope

Social Work intervention with patients and families may include:

• Individual, couples, and family counseling
• Support groups
• Crisis intervention
• Age-specific educational materials and parent consultation to promote child/adolescent adjustment
• Referral and collaboration with psychiatry for medication consultation and other psychosocial concerns
• Advocacy
• Information regarding additional support resources within the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Gynecologic Oncology Program
• Referral to Resource Specialists to assist in identifying community based resources for concerns such as transportation, housing, utilities or other service/financial based needs

To learn more about clinical social work and the Department of Care Coordination, please contact Gynecologic Oncology social workers:

Amy Armstrong, LICSW: (617) 632-4426
Irene Goss-Werner, LICSW: (617) 632-5836
Sarah Reed, LICSW: (617) 632-3304

Family Connections

The Family Connections Web site originates from the Family Connections Program at Dana Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center. A resource for parents with cancer and their families, this Web site is part of a mission to offer guidance, information and resources to those who are dealing with cancer in their family.

Visit the Family Connections site