Oncology Social Workers

Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care

At Valley Health System, we believe cancer care should go beyond treating the disease—it should support the whole person. Our cancer support services and resources are designed to care for your physical, emotional, and mental well-being at every stage of your journey. From integrative therapies and nutritional counseling to emotional support and survivorship programs, we’re here to provide compassionate, whole-body care tailored to you and your loved ones.

Cancer Support Services at Valley

Integrative Medicine

Valley’s Integrative Medicine team combines the expertise of chiropractic care, acupuncture, and massage therapy for patients with a variety of medical conditions. In the oncology setting, these services are integrated, coordinated, and aligned with each patient’s treatment plan. Learn more about Integrative Medicine at Valley.

Financial Assistance

Our patient financial advocates counsel patients and families on insurance benefits, copayments, and available financial resources including charity care, marketplace insurance, drug replacement programs, and/or support from The Valley Hospital Foundation. The Valley Hospital also offers financial assistance for eligible patients who are uninsured, underinsured, ineligible for government programs, or otherwise unable to pay for medically necessary care. For more information, call 201-634-5644 or visit our Financial Assistance page.

Boutique for Integrative Healing

Located at the Luckow Pavilion, the boutique offers certified mastectomy fitters to assist with breast prostheses and bras, as well as head coverings. Oncology massage is also available for patients undergoing treatment; the first session is complimentary and subsequent sessions are offered for a nominal fee. To make an appointment or for more information, please call 201-634-5325.

Medical Fitness

If exercise is recommended as part of your care plan, your physician may refer you to Valley Health LifeStyles’ Medical Fitness Rx Program. This program provides patients with a personalized exercise prescription developed by a degreed exercise specialist in conjunction with your physician. For more information about this program, ask you physician.

Smoking Cessation

The Valley Hospital’s Tobacco Education and Treatment Program is a completely free-of-charge support group facilitated by Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialists who provide education and create individualized treatment plans to help individuals quit smoking (or using tobacco products). To register, please call 201-447-8673 or click here for additional information.

Nutrition Counseling

While all patients undergoing treatment meet with a registered dietitian as part of their care, additional sessions are available by appointment. During these sessions, you can develop personalized nutrition plans to meet your special needs and long-term goals. For more information, please call 201-634-5371.

Spiritual Care

Valley's Spiritual Care department assists patients in meeting their spiritual needs. Spiritual Care is sensitive to the beliefs of patients and families while respecting their diversity. Chaplains include Roman Catholic priests, Protestant clergy and a rabbi. You or a loved one may request a visit from one of our staff through your nurse. For more information, call 201-447-8150.

Social Workers

Valley’s oncology social workers can make coping easier. Through individual, family, and group counseling, they help patients process their feelings and manage the changes and challenges that can arise while going through treatment and beyond. In addition, they assist with benefits, refer to local and national resources, and provide educational information to help patients adjust to living with their illness. To contact an oncology social worker, call 201-634-5787.

Additional Cancer Resources Outside of Valley

Local Mental Health Support Services

  • CancerCare:  Services include individual counseling, support groups, and educational workshops. All services are provided by professional oncology social workers, are available for the whole family, and are offered completely free-of-charge. Please call 1-800-813-4673 or visit www.cancercare.org.
  • Christian Health Counseling Center: Physicians and therapists are available to assess and treat individuals for a variety of mental health disorders and issues including depression, anxiety, and grief. For more information, please call 201-848-5800 or click here.
  • For a list of mental health professionals, please contact our social workers at 201-634-5422, or 201-634-5787.

Exercise Programs

  • Cancer Support Community offers live, online fitness and meditation, yoga, and Tai Chi classes for patients, survivors, caregivers, friends, and family members. For more information, click here.
  • Moving for Life - Dance Exercise for Health® is dedicated to helping people of any age affected by cancer through free and low-cost dance exercise classes. They offer both in-person and online classes. For more information, click here.
  • LiveStrong @ the YMCA - A small-group cancer survivorship program for those who are living with, through, or beyond cancer. Offered at both the Wayne YMCA (973-595-0100) and YMCA of Garfield (973-772-7450). Click here to find a location near you. The 12-week program includes: Two 75 to 90-minute sessions per week, cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, balance and flexibility exercises, fitness and quality of life assessments before and after participation, and YMCA-certified instructors helping you every step of the way.
  • Tennis for Life is an active support group for Breast Cancer Survivors, offering free indoor tennis and instruction. All levels of players, especially beginners, are welcome to join at any time. Our non-profit organization offers tennis lessons, organized tennis matches, peer networking groups, and professionally facilitated discussion groups to unite and assist breast cancer survivors in their recovery. For more information, please call 201-384-3816 (Bergen County) or 914-646-1978 (Rockland County) or click here.

Financial Assistance

  • CancerCare offers limited financial assistance for cancer-related costs and co-pays. Call 1-800-813-4673 or click here for more information.
  • NeedyMeds is an online resource directory that acts as a clearinghouse for medication assistance programs. Click here for more information.
  • Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) is a state-funded program that helps eligible seniors and individuals with disabilities save money on their prescription drug costs. Call 1-800-792-9745 or click here for more information.
  • For more information about financial grants for eligible individuals, please contact our social workers at 201-634-5422 or 201-634-5787.

One-on-One Peer Support

  • American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery: This program connects newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with carefully screened, well-trained volunteers who are breast cancer survivors. Call 800-227-2345 or click here for more information.
  • Cancer Hope Network: Cancer Hope Network provides free one-on-one peer support for adult cancer patients and their loved ones. Call 1-877-HOPENET or click here for more information.
  • Imerman Angels: We connect cancer fighters, survivors, previvors, and caregivers to Mentor Angels, cancer confidantes with similar stories and experiences. Our unique matching process is done by real people, not a system with an algorithm. Call 1-866-IMERMAN (463-7626) or click here for more information.
  • Young Survival Coalition: The YSC Peer Match program is designed to make young adults diagnosed with breast cancer feel connected and supported by trained volunteers in the young breast cancer community. Please call 877-972-1011 or click here for more information.

Wellness Retreats

  • Mary's Place by the Sea offers women with cancer a place to heal mind, body & soul. Click here for more information.
  • Reel Recovery is a national non-profit organization that conducts free fly fishing retreats for men living with all forms of cancer. Click here for more information.
  • Respite Retreats offers respite to cancer patients, their caregivers, and families to encourage healthy living for all. Click here for more information.
  • Smith Center For Healing & The Arts runs retreats that offer respite from everyday life with a cancer diagnosis and an opportunity to be fully immersed in healing. Click here for more information.

Young Adults Living with Cancer (Ages 18-39)

Hair Loss/Appearance Changes

  • CancerCare offers a completely free-of-charge wig program. For a virtual consultation and fitting, please call the HopeLine at 1-800-813-4673.
  • For a list of local, patient-recommended salons specializing in wigs, please contact our social workers at 201-634-5422 or  201-634-5787.

Meal Delivery Programs

  • Magnolia Meals at Home is a free meal delivery program offered by CancerCare for patients and their families. Eligible participants will receive meals for up to two months. Please call the HopeLine at 1-800-813-4673.
  • Bergen County Meals on Wheels: Call 201-336-7420 or click here for more information.
  • Passaic County Meals on Wheels: Call 973-569-4060 or click here for more information.
  • Rockland County: Call 845-624-6325 or click here for more information.

Helpful Websites

  • American Cancer Society provides information on a breadth of topics. Call 1-800-227-2345 and speak with a cancer information specialist or click here for more information.
  • CaringBridge is an online tool that allows patients and families to create a secure website to provide updates to loved ones during a patient's health journey. Click here for more information.
  • Cancer and Careers is dedicated to empowering and educating people with cancer to thrive in their workplace by providing expert advice, interactive tools, and educational events. Click here for more information.
  • Cancer.Net offers trusted, compassionate information for people with cancer and their families and caregivers, from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the voice of the world's cancer physicians and oncology professionals. Click here for more information.
  • LIVESTRONG  offers a cancer navigation guide. Click here for more information.
  • National Cancer Institute offers information specialists who are available to answer your cancer­ related questions. Call 1-800-4-CANCER or click here for more information.

Websites for friends and family to help organize meal delivery to you and your family during treatment or post-surgery

Diagnosis-Specific Websites