Social Work Services
Social work services are available free of charge to Fred Hutch Cancer Center patients in active treatment as well as their families. We help established patients, and their caregivers, who need social or emotional support related to cancer treatment. Fred Hutch Social Work can be reached at 206.606.1076.
Education and Support Groups
Social workers help educate patients and families about the psychosocial issues that surround medical care. As members of your health care team, social workers participate in patient care planning, family conferences, and patient and family education programs. Social workers co-facilitate various support groups for patients and families.
Learn about Support Groups
Advocacy and Referral Coordination
Social workers help patients and families access services within Fred Hutch, as well as within the community. We act as advocates and facilitators for patients, and work with medical teams as needed. Social workers assist patients and families with communication, including developing problem-solving strategies that will help patients and families navigate the medical system more effectively.
Counseling
Whether you are a patient or a family member, you can ask social workers for support in coping with grief and loss, role changes, family dynamics, the challenges of living with a serious, chronic illness, and related emotional issues. Crisis intervention is available for patients and families experiencing acute distress related to changes in their medical condition, death and dying, or other stressful life events. Social workers also are available for follow-up grief counseling for families who have lost a loved one, and for end-of-life and funeral planning.