Counseling Services

At the Swedish Cancer Institute, patients and their families have access to a range of psychosocial services, including support for individuals, couples and families, and regular peer support groups for patients and caregivers. These services are part of our Division of Psycho-Oncology, which includes board-certified psychiatrists and oncology social workers who work exclusively with cancer patients and families.

Learn more about the role of an oncology social worker, what to expect when meeting with an oncology social worker, and how they can assist cancer patients as they move through cancer diagnosis and treatment, in our video: What is an oncology social worker?

Support Groups

The Swedish Cancer Institute offers a variety of support groups. The groups provide an opportunity to meet with others having experiences similar to your own. Each group is facilitated by an experienced Swedish Cancer Institute support group facilitator and are open to all people in the community.

To learn more, see our Swedish Cancer Institute Cancer Support Groups brochure.

Support group members experience and receive:

  • Practical information
  • An understanding of diagnosis and treatment
  • A safe and caring place to share feelings and learn self-care skills
  • A place to develop coping skills and discover how one lives life fully in the midst of cancer

Individual and Family Care

  • Coping with treatment
  • Improving communication with health-care providers, friends, and family members
  • Managing depression and anxiety
  • Dealing with current and past losses
  • Providing resources for relaxation techniques, stress management, visualization and imagery
  • Helping family members cope with your cancer and its treatment
  • Financial concerns
  • Connecting with community agencies and services
  • Finding mental-health counselors in the community who have experience working with cancer patients

Learn about advanced care planning, why it's important and what steps to take to document your wishes in our video: Advanced Care Planning.