Counseling Services
Being diagnosed with cancer can feel overwhelming at times. Many patients
and their families need help with coping and can benefit from supportive
counseling. Oncology Clinical Social Workers are available to provide
emotional and practical support during all stages of cancer including
diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment survivorship.
Hoag Family Cancer Institute provides specialized individual, couple and
family counseling, on a short-term basis, free of charge, to its patients
and their support persons.
How counseling can benefit you
- Learn ways to cope with a cancer diagnosis, feel less overwhelmed and more
in control
- Explore the meaning of the cancer experience
- Manage difficult feelings, such as depression and anxiety
- Manage cancer symptoms and treatment side effects, such as pain and fatigue
- Learn how to communicate effectively with the health care team
- Address relationship issues and financial concerns that are causing distress
- Explore options and get feedback about important decisions
- Consider professional or workplace issues and strategies
- Talk about concerns you may have about what comes next after finishing treatment
- Learn how to help your family understand and adjust to changes in routine
as a result of a cancer diagnosis
- Explore and resolve cancer-related sexuality issues
Donations
Support services are provided without fees to patients who receive their
care at Hoag, thanks to community support. If you would like to make a
gift of any amount to help ensure the availability of these valuable services,
click here.
Counseling services are provided by:
Caitlin Glenn Lavranos, LCSW, in Newport Beach
Cait Glenn Lavranos is the Lead Oncology Social Worker at Hoag Family Cancer
Institute. She cares for patients of all diagnoses and their family members
through one-on-one counseling, support groups and facilitation of complementary
therapy programs. She advocates for patients through a whole-person approach
in order to support patients' physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Her focus is to support the patient and family in coping with the impact
of their diagnosis. Cait is inspired every day by the resilience of her
patients and continues to feel grateful to be able to provide care for
cancer survivors and their families. Her passion lies in the development
of support programs that meet various needs and provide outlets for expression
of emotions, stress reduction and connection.
Cait graduated with her masters in social work from the University of Southern
California in 2013 and has been with Hoag Family Cancer Institute since
interning here in 2012.
Marie Miao, LCSW, OSW-C, in Irvine
Marie Miao earned her master’s degree in Social Work from the University
of Pennsylvania. She is a licensed social worker and certified as an oncology
social worker. During her undergraduate years as a hospice volunteer,
she discovered her passion to help others with a serious illness. Marie
has been in the field of hospice, palliative care and oncology ever since,
six years of which being at Hoag. Marie has been a big advocate for voicing
patient needs and developing programs to meet those gaps—CLIMB being
one of them. Whether it be one-on-one counseling, educational workshops,
support groups or art class, she provides coping tools and resources to
navigate the complex cancer journey.
Josephina Kim, LCSW, in Newport Beach
Josephina Kim earned a Masters of Social Work degree from the University
of Southern California. During her graduate studies and internship at
the Hoag Family Cancer Center, she discovered her true calling –
to work with cancer patients and their families. She provides unconditional
positive regard to cancer patients as they navigate through the shock,
fear, and complexity of cancer. She addresses the psychological, psychosocial,
cultural, and continuing care needs of patients and their families. Through
one-on-one counseling, providing coping tools, connecting patients to
resources and support groups, Josephina is able to help cancer patients
and their families cope through this new journey.
Deborah Sisley, LCSW, in Newport Beach
Deborah Sisley is an Oncology Clinical Social worker who has worked at
Hoag Hospital for over 22 years providing frontline services to patients
and families spanning the entire continuum of a diagnosis and health-related
issues. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University
of California, Irvine and her Masters in Social Work with a Health concentration
from the University of Southern California. She has extensive experience
and training working with chronic illness and palliative care, which has
shaped her “person-in-environment” approach. She strongly
believes patients are not just their diagnoses. She values acknowledging
patients within their relationships, career and recreation activities,
community, and culture. Her passion is to assist patients and family members
with identifying their strengths and providing them with resources and
counseling support that will help them enhance hope and quality of life.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 949-722-6237.