Pediatric Psychosocial Care

Contact Pediatric Psychosocial Care. We're here to help.

Learn about other types of support available to our patients and their families.

Cancer is a physical disease that can also impact your emotional health. That's why services that address your mental health — also known as "psychosocial" services — are an important part of a comprehensive cancer treatment plan.

Supporting Your Whole Family Through the Effects of Treatment

The experience of a serious illness like cancer affects the whole family — mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is common for children, parents, siblings, and other caregivers to feel a range of emotions and to need support through this experience.

Our Specialists

Our team of specialists works closely with you and your child's treatment team at Dana-Farber's Jimmy Fund Clinic and Boston Children's Hospital to provide personalized, integrated psychological services from diagnosis and treatment into survivorship. Depending on your needs, you may visit with a clinical social worker or psychologist who will get to know you and your family members and discuss what psychosocial services may be useful. Psychiatrists — who can prescribe medication — are available for consultation, if needed.

Psychiatrist — a medical doctor specializing in mental health who diagnoses conditions and can prescribe medication
Psychologist — a mental health professional with a doctoral degree who assesses and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders through talk therapy. A psychologist cannot prescribe medication
Clinical Social Worker — a mental health professional with an advanced degree who provides counseling related to emotional distress and connects pediatric patients with Dana-Farber resources

Services

Your family's needs may change over time, and our team will work with you to make sure that everyone in your child's life can get the individual support they need.

We can help your child and your family:

Adjust to the illness
Talk about the diagnosis
Cope with treatment and its side effects
Manage mood changes and behavioral challenges
Learn to ease stress and anxiety
Enhance communication with your medical team
Cope with loss and grief
Address academic challenges and needs

Related Programs

Pediatric Fertility Preservation — consults on fertility preservation options before cancer treatment begins
Pediatric Survivorship — plans to help manage long-term social and psychological effects after treatment ends
School Liaison — advises parents on the cognitive late effects of treatment to help with understanding and advocating for the child's learning needs
Sibling Program — offers help to siblings and families of patients
Parents Together — provides educational and supportive resources for parents of pediatric patients
Just for Teens — holds recreational events and other fun offerings for teenage and young adult patients
Young Adult Program — offers social and emotional support, peer groups, and educational events for young adult patients aged 18-40