The social work staff at the Duke Cancer Institute helps families manage the complexities of illness and the hospital experience. Our clinical social workers provide counseling and support to help you talk with your child about their illness and deal with the impact of illness on everyday life.

What Is a Clinical Social Worker?

Clinical social workers are licensed mental health professionals trained to help people find solutions to many of life’s most difficult situations. Clinical social workers earn a master’s degree in a two-year program and like physicians, attorneys, and other professionals, they specialize in a particular area of practice.

The scope of their practice encompasses all points in the lifespan, from infancy to old age. They are trained in individual, couples, family, and group therapy as well as in research, policy, and systems theory.

Clinical social workers believe in drawing upon the strengths of the individual and are skilled at mobilizing family, friends, and community resources to help solve problems.

What Services Do Clinical Social Workers Provide?

Shortly after you arrive at Duke a clinical social worker with expertise in working with pediatric patients will meet with you and complete a social history that can help the team assist you during this stressful time.

Throughout your time at Duke your clinical social worker is available to help your family cope with many issues that may arise throughout cancer treatment:

• Adjustment to diagnosis and illness
• Family issues and relationship problems
• Psychosocial stressors
• School and behavior problems
• Anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues
• Substance abuse
• Difficulties in adhering to the treatment plan
• Grief and bereavement issues

We also provide referral to community agencies to enhance continuity of care planning.