Social Work Services

Social work services are a vital part of Stony Brook’s comprehensive cancer care. Our professional social workers specialize in addressing the emotional, social and practical needs of patients with cancer and their families.

Available to both inpatients and outpatients, social workers provide support in a variety of ways, including:

• Individual and family counseling to help cope with a cancer diagnosis.
• Assistance with navigating benefit and entitlement programs.
• Connecting patients and families to helpful resources.
• Facilitating support groups for patients and survivors.
• Planning for ongoing care and providing referrals.
• Offering education and guidance throughout the cancer journey.

In addition to working closely with the multispecialty cancer care teams, Stony Brook social workers lead support groups for patients and survivors of breast, prostate, lymphoma, gynecological and upper GI cancers. They also facilitate a cancer education series to provide valuable information and resources to the community.