Alison Petok (she/her/hers) is a Clinical Social Worker in private practice based in Boston, MA. Her career has been focused in oncology and she is well-versed in navigating the medical system. Alison has worked extensively with individuals facing a cancer diagnosis as well as chronic illness, chronic pain, end-of-life issues and survivorship. She has also worked to support caregivers, family members, and medical professionals who are coping with burnout.

Additionally, Alison has specialized training from Postpartum Support International to support individuals with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She has experience working at the intersection of chronic illness and decision making about becoming a parent, infertility, pregnancy, and postpartum needs.

Alison practices from a strengths-based perspective and will bear witness to and hold space for your lived experiences. She will support you and your loved ones through adjustment, transitions, loss, grief, and survivorship, as well as coping with uncertainty.

Alison received her Master’s in Social Work and Public Health from the University of Pennsylvania in 2012 and her Bachelor's degree from Washington University in St. Louis. She has worked in various hospital based and outpatient settings, including Massachusetts General Hospital, the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, and Fox Chase Cancer Center. She is licensed to serve clients in both Massachusetts and Maine.

Selected Publications

Distress and Mental Health Considerations for Patients with Gynecologic Cancer
Topics in Obstetrics & Gynecology (2021)

Palliative Approach to Patients with Concurrent Serious Illness and Substance Use Disorder
Springer (2020)

“1,000 Conversation I’d Rather Have Than That One”: A Qualitative Study of Prescriber Experiences with Opioids and the Impact of a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
Journal of Addictive Diseases (2022)