Services and Programs
Counseling and Group Therapy
Anxiety, sadness, depression, and changes in thinking and behavior can be side effects of a cancer diagnosis. We can provide individualized therapy plans and coping strategies. We also lead support groups for patients, families, and caregivers.
Navigating Care for Patients With Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities
We help people who have disabilities like autism and Down syndrome cope with cancer. Everyone deserves to have the best cancer care. We know that sometimes learning about cancer and starting treatment can be stressful. We can help you find the extra support you may need and take steps to make sure you feel comfortable during your Dana-Farber visits. To learn more about these services, contact a member of our Neuro-Inclusive Oncology Care and Empowerment Program.
Managing the Impact of a Parent’s or Caregiver’s Cancer on Their Children
Adults who are parenting children at home have extra challenges during cancer treatment. You may wrestle with how to talk with your children about your cancer and your treatment, or how to help keep their lives as normal as possible. You are an expert on your own children and their different personalities. Our social work team is available to talk with you about how to best support your kids as you navigate cancer. In addition, our Family Connections program offers resources and guidance to help you and your family cope effectively and get through this together.
Supporting Younger Adults
Young adults with cancer face very different challenges than patients who were diagnosed earlier in childhood or later in adulthood. If you're between the ages of 18 and early 40s, the Young Adult Program at Dana-Farber (YAP@DFCI) can help. We provide emotional support services, opportunities to meet other young adults in treatment, and educational programs aimed to enhance your knowledge and self-advocacy skills.
Coping with Loss and Grief
We offer bereavement support and guidance to family members and friends of our patients who have died. If you are coping with loss after the death of a loved one who was treated at Dana-Farber at any time, we can help.
Bereavement support comes in a variety of forms. Our services include support groups, individual counseling, and educational resources to help you navigate the complex emotions that can accompany grief. To find out more, please visit Bereavement and Grief Support.
Additional Services
The Adult Psychosocial Care team also offers a wide range of emotional support and practical services to help you address challenges like:
- Concerns about safety in personal relationships
- Concerns about drug and alcohol use
- Coping with advanced cancer and facing uncertainty
- Impacts of cancer on work, school, and finances
- Conflicts between patient and family
- Finding supportive resources in your local community
Looking for services for pediatric patients?
Common Billing and Privacy Questions
How do I pay for psychiatry services?
In general, your insurance company will be billed for psychiatry and psychology visits. Most psychiatry and psychology visits require prior authorization and most insurance plans have a calendar year maximum. Please check with your insurance company so you understand your mental health benefits.
For insurance or billing questions, please contact us at 617-632-6181.
If you have concerns about paying for treatment, please speak directly with your psychiatrist and/or psychologist or learn more about our Patient Financial Assistance program.
Will my provider share what we discuss with my treatment team?
Because it's important for your oncologist to be aware of your psychological concerns, your medications, and how you are coping, our providers work closely with your oncology team. At the same time, we understand that you might not want to share some issues with other clinicians, and you should feel able to talk to us about what issues you would prefer not to share. We will be happy to talk about any concerns you might have about confidentiality.
What will be in my medical record?
The clinician will write a summary note for each visit. These notes will be inserted in a restricted note section of your electronic medical record and will not be released to anyone outside Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center without your explicit permission. Details that are not necessary for other clinicians are not included in these summaries.
