Perlmutter Cancer Center Support Groups & Counseling

Our support services team is here to listen and connect you with resources, expert consultations, referrals, home services, and outside agencies to help you cope during cancer treatment and beyond.

Whether you’re receiving cancer treatment as an inpatient or an outpatient at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, we offer support programs designed to answer your questions, reduce your stress, and improve your quality of life. These include our artist-in-residence program, in which an artist helps patients express themselves creatively; animal-assisted therapy with specially trained therapy dogs; and chair massages during chemotherapy infusions.

Ask your doctor, nurse practitioner, nurse, or social worker for more information. All programs are open to patients at NYU Langone, unless otherwise indicated. Individual social work services are provided at all Perlmutter Cancer Center locations.

We offer cancer support groups that give you the opportunity to connect with other people having similar experiences.

Social Worker Akiko Miyake and Patient

Social worker Akiko Miyake advises a patient on support groups.

Psycho-Oncology

A specially trained psychiatrist works as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide support for people with cancer and their families and caregivers who may be experiencing emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness. Our psycho-oncology services include evaluations, medication treatment and management, crisis intervention, and individual counseling.

Support Groups

Cancer support groups give patients and caregivers an opportunity to connect with people having similar experiences. We offer a variety of support groups for different types of cancer and life stages.

To keep our patients and caregivers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, all our support groups are meeting virtually. All groups are open to Perlmutter Cancer Center patients.

We work to ensure a safe, supportive, and engaging experience for all participants. To learn more about a specific group, we encourage you to call the phone number provided and speak with one of our social workers.

Blood Cancer Group

For people who have a diagnosis for leukemia, lymphoma, and other types of blood cancer, this group, hosted by Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 1:00 to 2:30PM. For more information, call 516-663-1058.

BRCA Group

The BRCA group is focused on the needs of young women who carry inherited mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, which can increase a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer or ovarian cancer. This group meets monthly. For more information, call 212-731-5110.

Breast Cancer Groups

For more information about the weekly breast cancer support group in Manhattan, call 646-343-7281.

For the bi-weekly support group hosted by Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Ambulatory Care Rego Park, call 718-261-1900, extension 78837.

Our Long Island breast cancer support group, hosted by Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, is for people who are currently being treated or who have completed breast cancer treatment. The group meets on the first and third Thursday of the month from 2:30 to 3:30PM. For more information, call 516-663-2556.

Young Adults Breast Cancer Support Group

This group provides peer support and connection to people between the ages of 19 to 35 who have had a breast cancer diagnosis and are receiving treatment. The group meets twice a month for one hour. For more information, please contact Carmen Morales, LCSW, at 212-731-6056.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Groups

For those who have received a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, we have two support groups.

One metastatic breast cancer group meets twice a month. For more information, call 212-731-5110.

Hosted by Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, our other metastatic breast cancer support group meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 2:30 to 4:00PM. To register, or for more information, call 516-663-2556.

Caregivers Support Groups

Caregivers are critical members of the care team, and it’s important they also get the support they need. We offer two support groups for caregivers.

The first of our caregivers group for people with advanced cancers meets weekly and is a confidential and safe space to share practical tips and emotional support. For more information, call 646-343-7281.

Hosted by Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, our other caregiver support group for people with cancer meets on the third Monday of the month from 1:00 to 2:30PM. Please call 516-663-2556 for more information.

Gastrointestinal Cancer Support Group

The gastrointestinal cancer support group, hosted by Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, meets on the fourth Friday of the month from 1:00 to 2:30PM. For more information, call 516-663-1204.

General Oncology Group

For patients who have received a cancer diagnosis, the general oncology group, hosted by Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 11:00AM to 12:30PM. For more information, call 516-663-1058.

Gynecologic Cancer Group

This group is for women who have been diagnosed with gynecologic cancer, including cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, and endometrial cancer. Hosted by Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, the group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 2:30 to 4:00PM. For more information, call 516-663-1017.

Hereditary Cancer Support Group

This group, hosted in partnership with Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE), provides support for people who have inherited cancer syndromes. Participants may or may not have received a cancer diagnosis but are often looking to share their experiences and find answers.

The group meets once every two months and is also open to family members. You can view our schedule of upcoming events on the FORCE New York webpage. You will receive a Zoom link after registration. To register, please email Jane Herman at janeh@facingourrisk.org For more information, please call our genetic counselor Forum Shah, MS, CGC, at 212-562-5704.

Oral and Head and Neck Cancer Group

The Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer group meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month and is open to the public. For more information, call 212-731-5108.

Lung Cancer Groups

The first of our two lung cancer groups meets twice a month via WebEx, a video conferencing platform. For more information and to determine if this group is right for you, call 646-477-4516.

The second of our lung cancer groups, which is hosted by Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month from 2:30 to 4:00PM. For more information, call 516-663-1017.

Multiple Myeloma Group

The multiple myeloma group meets every other Thursday from 2:00 to 3:00PM. For more information, call 646-501-4717.

Prostate Cancer Group

The prostate cancer group meets on the second Friday of the month from 1:00 to 2:30PM and is hosted by Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island. For more information, call 516-663-1204.

Individual Support and Counseling

Our psycho-oncologists, psychologists, and social workers can provide one-on-one support and counseling to help you cope with depression, anxiety, or other emotional responses associated with cancer and its treatments.

Bladder, prostate, and testicular cancer support: 212-731-5108

Brain/neurologic cancer support: 646-501-7604

Breast cancer support in New York City: 212-731-5110 or 212-731-6056.
Breast cancer support at Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island: 516-663-2556.

Gastrointestinal cancer support: 212-731-5109

Gynecologic cancer support: 646-501-7604

Hematologic cancers and blood disorders support: 646-501-7605

Living with lung cancer support: 212-731-5106 (offered with the generous support of the Stephen E. Banner Fund)

Melanoma support: 212-731-5108

Oral or head and neck cancer support: 212-731-5109

Radiation therapy support: 212-731-5109

Sarcoma support: 212-731-5108

Palliative care: 212-731-6056

Special Cancer Support Programs

We offer several additional cancer support resources for our patients.

Cancer Navigator Program

The Cancer Navigator Program at Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island includes a team of trained nurses who can help address medical, financial, and emotional issues that may arise during cancer diagnosis and treatment. Cancer navigators provide assistance with coordinating doctor visits, referrals to oncology social workers and support groups, and access to financial, legal, and community support services.

Free Legal Assistance Consultations

The New York Legal Assistance Group provides free legal assistance consultations for matters of immigration, eviction, estate planning, and entitlements, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits. Consultations are available on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 5:00PM, except on the fifth Wednesday of the month, when applicable. Please call 212-731-5806 for an appointment, which is required.

Therapeutic Writing Course

Writing can provide a safe outlet for the emotions associated with a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Our therapeutic writing course gives patients an opportunity to express their feelings in a supportive atmosphere.

This program takes place on four consecutive Wednesdays from 2:00 to 3:30PM. An appointment is required. For more information, call 212-731-6056.