Dedicated to Discovery. Committed to Care.

Pediatric Psychosocial Program

"One of the key things we provide is hope for our patients and everyone in their family."
- Holcombe Grier, M.D.

Photo of Pat Dwyer and young patient sibling

With the diagnosis and treatment of cancer come many emotional and practical challenges.

As a key part of the care provided at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital, we provide a wide range of support services to patients and their families.

We have assembled staff with special expertise in the social, emotional, and psychological aspects of pediatric cancer care. Our Pediatric Psychosocial Unit includes social workers, psychologists, a resource specialist, and a special educator.

Support for the Whole Family

The entire family is often affected when one member is diagnosed with cancer. For this reason, our staff provides emotional support and mental health services not only to our patients, but also to parents, siblings, and grandparents. The staff in our Pediatric Psychosocial Unit will work with you to determine which services will best meet your family's needs. We will provide you with basic information about strategies for coping with childhood cancer. We also will help you adjust to the impact of diagnosis and treatment. After treatment, we offer continuing supportive services. In addition, a resource specialist will guide you in your efforts to obtain financial assistance and other resources in your community.

Our social workers and psychologists are on the staff of Dana-Farber's Jimmy Fund Clinic, where your child will receive outpatient care, and Children's Hospital, where our pediatric cancer patients are hospitalized. These professionals will work closely with your child's medical teams at both institutions, as well as with other staff members involved in caring for your child and family.

Our Services

Your family may need different types of support at various times. To meet your needs, we provide the following services throughout your child's care:

  • Individual, couples, and family therapy
  • Play therapy
  • Behavioral techniques to manage anxiety
  • Services specially tailored to adolescents
  • Sibling counseling and an annual Sibling Day
  • Support groups and workshops for patients and parents
  • Consultation with teachers, students, and school administrators
  • Survivorship counseling and education
  • Referrals to chaplains
  • Bereavement services (annual workshop, support groups)
  • Referrals to community resources
  • Information about financial matters, short-term housing, travel options

About Confidentiality

Communication between you and our staff is treated with confidentiality.

In general, your written consent is required before information can be shared with anyone who is not part of your health care team. Only under certain very limited circumstances does the law require that confidential information be disclosed, including when someone is believed to be at serious risk of hurting himself/herself or another person, or when required during certain legal proceedings.

How to Contact Us

To arrange to meet with a staff member in our Pediatric Psychosocial Unit, please call (617) 632-5425, Monday through Friday, during normal clinic hours.

Patients and families with urgent needs before or after clinic hours, on weekends or holidays should call Dana-Farber's page operator at (617) 632-3352. Ask to speak with the Pediatric Psychosocial Unit staff member on call.

We look forward to assisting you and your family.

Important Phone Numbers

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
44 Binney Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
  • Pediatric Psychosocial Unit
    (617) 632-5425
  • Jimmy Fund Clinic, 3rd Floor
    (617) 632-3270
  • Admitting/Registration
    (617) 632-3242
  • Financial Information
    (617) 632-3455
  • Resource Counselor
    (617) 632-3365
  • Pediatric Resource Center
    (617) 632-3900
    (800) 525-5068
  • Directions to DFCI
    (617) 632-3400
  • DFCI Main Number
    (617) 632-3000
  • DFCI Page Operator
    (617) 632-3352
  • Pediatric Patient and Family Advisory Council
    (617) 632-6154
Children's Hospital
300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
  • Children's Main Number
    (617) 355-6000
  • Children's Page Operator
    (617) 355-6369