Psychosocial care

The team

• Child life specialist

  You will see the child life specialists most often. They support your child and you as a parent. They provide information and explain tests and treatments, and they help prepare your child for them. They can also accompany your child during tests and treatments. Together with you, they look at what support is needed and what fits your child best. They also help your family adjust to life with the illness and treatment. In addition, they can advise you on how to support brothers, sisters, other family members, and people around you.

• Medical social worker

  The medical social workers can help you find a new balance when your child has cancer. They are also there for you as a parent with practical and emotional matters, such as finances, work, and relationships. After the diagnosis, a social worker will contact you for an introduction. Together, you will look at what kind of guidance and support your family needs and how this can be arranged. If needed, they can refer you to a care provider in your area.

• (Neuro)psychologist

  Cancer has a major impact on your child’s life and on your family. Most families find a new balance after the diagnosis. Sometimes, emotional difficulties, behavioral challenges or learning problems can arise. Your child’s doctor or nurse specialist can then refer you to a (neuro)psychologist. Together with you and your child, they will look at what support is needed.

  Children with, or at increased risk of, neurological or neurocognitive effects from the illness or its treatment are routinely followed through the Brain CARE program. Our (neuro)psychologists work closely with care providers in shared care hospitals and with community psychologists, and will arrange a referral close to home if needed.

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