Our Services

Social Work, Clinical

Description of Services

The Clinical Social Work Department provides direct assistance to families and consultation to physicians and other health care providers. Social workers address a comprehensive range of issues, including:

Social and psychological problems related to hospitalization, sudden illness, long-term or life-threatening illness
Child behavior problems
School problems
Marital problems
Family conflict
Disability

Social workers provide individual, family and group counseling, discharge planning and assistance with patients’ special needs. They also serve as patient and family advocates, helping parents find answers to questions and make appropriate decisions regarding their child’s care.

Clinical Social Work facilitates several education/support groups for the parents of children being treated at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Meetings on neurofibromatosis, cystic fibrosis, AIDS, oncology and diabetes are available.