It has been a little over a year since Bambi Lassen began serving clients at Community Cancer Services, and the impact her services have had on cancer patients in the community has been overwhelming.
“We are so fortunate to have a licensed social worker who can serve our clients at their time of need,” said CCS Board President Stefanie Nostdahl, adding that there is no cost to the CCS client for Lassen’s counseling services.
Community Cancer Services is a non-profit resource and information center whose mission is to provide both financial and emotional support for members of the community that have been diagnosed with cancer.
“We provide many of our clients with financial assistance whether it is through gas vouchers to assist in transportation to and from treatments, prescription assistance and many other expenses that come with a cancer diagnosis,” said Nostdahl.
CCS also includes the non cancer patient in its mission, striving to educate both the youth and older members of the community on cancer prevention and nutrition.
Lassen, who graduated from Sandpoint High School as Valedictorian in 1996, recently passed the clinical level state board exam gaining her the credentials as a licensed clinical social worker.
“The LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) is the highest clinical licensure a social worker can achieve, allowing a clinician to have their own practice if desired,” said Lassen.
The LCSW certification is in addition to Lassen’s Licensed Master Social Worker certification which she received in 2005 after graduating from Portland State with her Masters in Social Work.
“After obtaining my LMSW I was required to receive 100 hours of supervision from Ginna Maus, LCSW at Temanos Counseling Center here in Sandpoint and have 3,000 hours of direct client contact to qualify to sit for the LCSW examination,” said Lassen, who in addition to her part time position at Community Cancer Services also works with Maus at Temanos Counseling.
In her work at CCS, Lassen specializes in giving cancer patients and family members tools to reduce anxiety and she provides a safe place to explore the many emotions cancer brings to individuals and family members.
Lassen first introduced a children’s support group to CCS a little over a year ago. It has been met with great response and fulfills a need for those younger members of the community who have family members diagnosed with cancer.
In addition to working with clients at Community Cancer Services, Lassen continues to work with Maus at Temanos Counseling.
“I am honored to be a part of the team at Community Cancer Services and continue to work at Temanos,” said Lassen.
To learn more about Community Cancer Services, please call 208-255-2301. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to CCS, please mail your contribution to CCS, 1215 Michigan Street, Suite B, Sandpoint, ID 83864. A receipt for your records will be mailed to you.
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