Suzanne Levanas, LCSW, BCD
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Certified Oncology Social Worker
Responsibilities
In September, 1994, I began working as a clinical social worker at the Center. As a cancer survivor, I had always been interested in this type of work but I was concerned that it might be too emotional for me or too close to my own experiences. Almost 14 years later, I am still working at the now-named Simms/Mann - UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology and loving it. Each day at the Center is filled with challenges, laughter, camaraderie and support. I am inspired by the patients and family members I meet and amazed by the dedication, compassion and expertise of my co-workers. I consider myself very fortunate to work in such a supportive, enriching environment.
As an oncology social worker and licensed therapist, I provide a broad range of psychosocial services to patients and their families including individual, couples and family therapy. I facilitate three support groups: Looking Ahead – Day for women who are dealing with “after cancer” concerns; Family & Friends for individuals supporting someone with cancer; and Young Adults for individuals under the age 40 who are dealing with cancer. I also coordinate many of the groups offered at the Simms/Mann Center and act as liaison with our clinical consultants. I also provide assessments and interventions in several clinics including the Multidisciplinary and Follow-up clinics of the Revlon/UCLA Breast Center and the survivor clinic at the UCLA-LIVESTRONG Survivorship Center of Excellence. My role as oncology social worker also takes me into the medical clinics both in Westwood and Santa Monica where we provide psychosocial support, information and referrals to patients and support to physicians and oncology nurses. I find it particularly rewarding to work with individuals who are newly diagnosed and in need of guidance, education and support.
Training
I attended the University of Calgary in Canada and received my B.A. in Sociology and Psychology in 1970. In 1982, I graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles with a Masters of Social Welfare degree. I passed my state boards for licensure as a clinical social worker in 1993. In 2004, I became a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work and also a Certified Oncology Social Worker, credentials which I keep active through continuing education.
Professional Work
My professional career has been quite varied. I have worked as a counselor with developmentally disabled adults, a mental health worker with chronically mentally ill patients, and a medical social worker. For eight years, I was on staff at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute where I worked with parents of children with behavior problems. I also have experience facilitating parenting groups for parents of toddler.
Personal Interests and Perspectives
My interest in oncology and bereavement stems from my own life experiences. My mother died of breast cancer when I was 16 years old and my father died suddenly a year and a half later. In the same time period, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and had a recurrence shortly after my father's death. Throughout these experiences, there were no psychosocial support services available to help me deal with my feelings of loss, fear and isolation. When, years later, I had a second recurrence of Hodgkin's Lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy, I was fortunate to participate in a support group with other cancer patients. I know first-hand how beneficial psychosocial services are to individuals facing cancer and I feel privileged to work at the Simms/Mann Center. As a cancer survivor and mental health professional, I feel I bring a unique perspective to my work.
My personal interests evolve mainly around my family. As a Canadian, I grew up with a love of the outdoors and I continue to enjoy camping, hiking, bicycling and traveling with my family.
For all of my adult life, I had viewed myself as a person with physical limitations caused by the effects of cancer treatment. In 1995, I decided to run the Los Angeles marathon to prove that perception wrong. Crossing the finishing line was a tremendous moment for me not only for what it symbolized in my life but also for the message I hoped to pass on to my children; that is, that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.