Support Services

At the Ivy Center, patients and their families have access to a range of support services. If you need assistance with a referral, or just need more information about the services, please contact your Ivy Center Integrative Care Specialist/Social Worker.  Our support services include:

Counseling for Brain Tumor Patients and Families
Support Groups
Caregiver Support
CaringBridge Website

Counseling for Brain Tumor Patients and Families

Individual support can be a very important component of coping for both patients and caregivers. Entering into individual counseling can seem like a daunting experience, but in reality it gives you a safe space to voice concerns, hopes and fears that you might not be able to speak about to anyone else.

There are several types of mental health professional who can provide support:

• Psychiatrists are trained medical doctors who can prescribe medications
• Psychologists focus on treating emotional and mental suffering in patients with behavioral intervention
• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSWs) are mental health professionals who have master's degrees in social work and have been licensed to practice psychotherapy

Your social worker can work with you to assess your needs and refer to you the appropriate professional.

Support Groups

Support groups can help patients realize that they are not alone — that there are other people who have the same problems. This often comes as a revelation, and a huge relief. Being in a support group can also help you develop new skills to relate to others as well as offer suggestions for dealing with a particular problem that you may not have thought of.

The many support groups offered at Swedish typically consist a small group of patients and/or caregivers that meet on a regular basis to discuss their feelings and challenges and provide mutual support. There is no fee to attend the support groups. The session is guided by a clinical social worker who is specially trained in group therapy.

Brain Tumor Support Group

This is a drop-in group for those diagnosed with a brain tumor and those who care for them. It is open to all people in the community. Support group members share and experience:

• Practical information about diagnosis and treatment
• Coping skills around the impact of diag¬nosis and treatment
• Tips on talking with family members and friends
• Meeting fellow participants who have been diagnosed with a brain tumor

This group meets the first and third Wednesday of every month from 1-2:30 p.m.

Swedish/Cherry Hill
James Tower
550 17th Ave
Education and Conference Center, Room E

For more information, please contact Stacie Beam-Bruce, MSW, LICSW or 206-320-2300

Brain Tumor Caregiver Support Group
Caregivers are invited to attend a support group to share practical information, gain understanding of the care giving experience and discuss feelings in a safe and caring environment.

The group meets every first Wednesday of the month from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Swedish/Cherry Hill
James Tower
550 17th Ave
Education and Conference Center, Room F

For more information, please contact Stacie Beam-Bruce, MSW, LICSW or 206-320-2300.

Caregiver Support

Being a caregiver can be a taxing experience. You are being asked to juggle the needs of your loved one along with those of additional family members, not to mention attending to your own self-care. Caregivers need just as much support as their loved one dealing with the illness.

Swedish offers a number of support options for caregivers including educational resources, organizational materials, and support groups. Your social worker is available for counseling and emotional support or can help identify additional resources available for assistance.

Your social worker is available for counseling and emotional support or can help identify additional resources available for assistance

CaringBridge Website

Swedish offers patients CaringBridge, a free service that provides private, personalized websites. It can be your private journal, guestbook and photo album—all in one place. CaringBridge makes it easy for you or a family member to keep others informed without having to make calls.

You or a family member can set up a CaringBridge Web page and start updating your loved ones immediately. It’s a personal and private journal, guestbook and photo album — all in one place. From any computer with access to the Internet, go to www.caringbridge.org/swedish and follow the easy directions.