Individual Therapy Services

Free, short term therapy for those impacted by cancer

Cancer impacts people in a variety of ways, including their mental health. There is also a lack of mental health services in the DMV that specialize in therapy for cancer patients. Seeing this gap in services, Smith Center is excited to offer free, short-term individual teletherapy for those impacted by cancer (patients, survivors, or caregivers).

This program provides short-term (up to 12 sessions) therapy aimed at creating space to process life with and after cancer. Your clinician will either be a licensed mental health therapist or a pre-licensed clinical therapy intern. (Clinical therapy interns have received the education and training to provide therapy and are completing the final year of their program before they can practice on their own and will be supervised by a licensed clinical social worker.)

What is therapy?

Therapy can be used as a safe, nonjudgmental space to process and gain tools in dealing with overwhelming and challenging aspects of life with cancer. Clinicians use a variety of modalities in healing including but not limited to, mindfulness, narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, expressive arts, and other therapeutic and self-care practices.

This program is most appropriate for someone who: 

• is age 18+ and is currently in treatment for cancer, post-cancer treatment, or is a caregiver or loved one of a cancer patient/survivor.
• is physically located in DC, Maryland, or Virginia at the time of therapy services
• is looking for therapy related to issues stemming from their cancer diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and/or caregiving. 
• is not currently in therapy with another mental health provider (previous therapy experience is okay).
• is willing and available to commit to the therapeutic process.
• does not have significant co-occurring mental health issues that need active management for which long-term therapy might be a better option. 
• is not looking for medication management or prescribing services (it is okay if you are currently on medications managed by other providers).

If you are interested in hearing more about the program and if it is a good fit for you or a loved one, please reach out to the Psychosocial Support Program Director, Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C, erin@smithcenter.org.