This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Allie Giza, LGSW, and Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C

This twice a month virtual group is for Stage 1 – 3 Breast Cancer patients and survivors and is open to those newly diagnosed, in treatment, or in survivorship. Come join others dealing with the issues and impacts of a breast cancer diagnosis. All meetings are hosted using Zoom. This group is hosted in partnership with Medstar Washington Hospital Center and Smith Center for Healing and the Arts.

You can also register for this group by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

The Breast Cancer Support Group meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 6:00-7:00pm ET.

Upcoming Sessions:

August 2 & 16
September 6

About Allie Giza, LGSW

Allie is a licensed graduate social worker (LGSW) with focus on young adults with cancer, survivors, and caregivers, with emphasis on holistic methods of mental health care. Allie uses eclectic modalities focused on trauma-informed and strengths-based care with her clients. Her passion for this work began as a result of her own medical issues and experience with the healthcare system. This led her to begin volunteering with children with cancer and subsequently pursuing a master’s in social work.

About Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C

Erin serves as Smith Center’s Director of Young Adult and Psychosocial Support Programs. She is trained in Integrative Patient Navigation, a Project LEAD graduate, and holds a Masters in Social Work. A ten-year+ breast cancer survivor, Erin is passionate about providing support and community to other cancer survivors, especially young adults. She works with Smith Center’s DC Young Adult Cancer Community and is also actively involved in the cancer community through the Association of Oncology Social Workers, the Young Survival Coalition, the Georgetown Breast Cancer Advocates, and the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. Please register to Claudia at 202.384.8342 to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Este programa se ofrece prácticamente a través de Zoom. Regístrese en Claudia al 202.384.8342 para recibir el enlace Zoom para participar.

Nueva Vida

Smith Center es ahora el anfitrión de los Grupos de Apoyo para la Comunidad Latina en Español

Estamos muy felices de anunciar que seremos los anfitriones de los grupos de apoyo de Nueva Vida para la comunidad latina. Nueva Vida es una organización independiente, sin fines de lucro, que proporciona servicios integrales de cáncer gratuitos, a las familias latinas en el Distrito de Columbia, Virginia del Norte (hasta el sur de Prince William County), Suburban Maryland (Condados de Montgomery y Prince George), Richmond, y Baltimore. Otros servicios incluyen educación y divulgación en la comunidad latina, asi como navegación de pacientes para exámenes de detección y tratamiento de cáncer.

En Smith Center, Nueva Vida tendrá grupos de apoyo que se enfocan en el apoyo al trauma asociado con el diagnóstico de cáncer. Estos grupos proporcionan a las latinas la oportunidad de identificar y expresar sus sentimientos, en un lugar seguro, y lleno de empatía, así como compartir sus sentimientos con otras personas que están o han pasado por similares circunstancias. Las reuniones semanales, se combinan con una actividad de reducción del estrés (Zumba o Yoga).

Para registrarse, llame a Claudia a Nueva Vida: 202.223.9100.

Smith Center Now Hosting Support Groups for the Latino Community in Spanish

Nueva Vida is an independent nonprofit that provides free, comprehensive, culturally competent cancer services to medically underserved Latino families in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia (as far south as Prince William County), Suburban Maryland (Montgomery & Prince George’s Counties), Richmond, and Baltimore. Other services include outreach to the Latino community and Patient Navigation for cancer screenings and treatment.

At Smith Center, Nueva Vida will be providing support groups that are focused on supporting the trauma associated with a cancer diagnosis. These groups provide Latina women the opportunity to experience a catharsis of feelings, where they feel safe to identify, verbalize, empathize, and share their feelings with others who are in similar circumstances. All support group meetings are paired with a stress reduction activity (either Zumba or Yoga).

To register, call Claudia at Nueva Vida: 202.223.9100.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. Please register to Claudia at 202.384.8342 to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Este programa se ofrece prácticamente a través de Zoom. Regístrese en Claudia al 202.384.8342 para recibir el enlace Zoom para participar.

Nueva Vida

Smith Center es ahora el anfitrión de los Grupos de Apoyo para la Comunidad Latina en Español

Estamos muy felices de anunciar que seremos los anfitriones de los grupos de apoyo de Nueva Vida para la comunidad latina. Nueva Vida es una organización independiente, sin fines de lucro, que proporciona servicios integrales de cáncer gratuitos, a las familias latinas en el Distrito de Columbia, Virginia del Norte (hasta el sur de Prince William County), Suburban Maryland (Condados de Montgomery y Prince George), Richmond, y Baltimore. Otros servicios incluyen educación y divulgación en la comunidad latina, asi como navegación de pacientes para exámenes de detección y tratamiento de cáncer.

En Smith Center, Nueva Vida tendrá grupos de apoyo que se enfocan en el apoyo al trauma asociado con el diagnóstico de cáncer. Estos grupos proporcionan a las latinas la oportunidad de identificar y expresar sus sentimientos, en un lugar seguro, y lleno de empatía, así como compartir sus sentimientos con otras personas que están o han pasado por similares circunstancias. Las reuniones semanales, se combinan con una actividad de reducción del estrés (Zumba o Yoga).

Para registrarse, llame a Claudia a Nueva Vida: 202.223.9100.

Smith Center Now Hosting Support Groups for the Latino Community in Spanish

To register, call Claudia at Nueva Vida: 202.223.9100.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. Please register to Claudia at 202.384.8342 to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Este programa se ofrece prácticamente a través de Zoom. Regístrese en Claudia al 202.384.8342 para recibir el enlace Zoom para participar.

Nueva Vida

Smith Center es ahora el anfitrión de los Grupos de Apoyo para la Comunidad Latina en Español

Estamos muy felices de anunciar que seremos los anfitriones de los grupos de apoyo de Nueva Vida para la comunidad latina. Nueva Vida es una organización independiente, sin fines de lucro, que proporciona servicios integrales de cáncer gratuitos, a las familias latinas en el Distrito de Columbia, Virginia del Norte (hasta el sur de Prince William County), Suburban Maryland (Condados de Montgomery y Prince George), Richmond, y Baltimore. Otros servicios incluyen educación y divulgación en la comunidad latina, asi como navegación de pacientes para exámenes de detección y tratamiento de cáncer.

En Smith Center, Nueva Vida tendrá grupos de apoyo que se enfocan en el apoyo al trauma asociado con el diagnóstico de cáncer. Estos grupos proporcionan a las latinas la oportunidad de identificar y expresar sus sentimientos, en un lugar seguro, y lleno de empatía, así como compartir sus sentimientos con otras personas que están o han pasado por similares circunstancias. Las reuniones semanales, se combinan con una actividad de reducción del estrés (Zumba o Yoga).

Para registrarse, llame a Claudia a Nueva Vida: 202.223.9100.

Smith Center Now Hosting Support Groups for the Latino Community in Spanish

To register, call Claudia at Nueva Vida: 202.223.9100.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. Please register to Claudia at 202.384.8342 to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Este programa se ofrece prácticamente a través de Zoom. Regístrese en Claudia al 202.384.8342 para recibir el enlace Zoom para participar.

Nueva Vida

Smith Center es ahora el anfitrión de los Grupos de Apoyo para la Comunidad Latina en Español

Estamos muy felices de anunciar que seremos los anfitriones de los grupos de apoyo de Nueva Vida para la comunidad latina. Nueva Vida es una organización independiente, sin fines de lucro, que proporciona servicios integrales de cáncer gratuitos, a las familias latinas en el Distrito de Columbia, Virginia del Norte (hasta el sur de Prince William County), Suburban Maryland (Condados de Montgomery y Prince George), Richmond, y Baltimore. Otros servicios incluyen educación y divulgación en la comunidad latina, asi como navegación de pacientes para exámenes de detección y tratamiento de cáncer.

En Smith Center, Nueva Vida tendrá grupos de apoyo que se enfocan en el apoyo al trauma asociado con el diagnóstico de cáncer. Estos grupos proporcionan a las latinas la oportunidad de identificar y expresar sus sentimientos, en un lugar seguro, y lleno de empatía, así como compartir sus sentimientos con otras personas que están o han pasado por similares circunstancias. Las reuniones semanales, se combinan con una actividad de reducción del estrés (Zumba o Yoga).

Para registrarse, llame a Claudia a Nueva Vida: 202.223.9100.

Smith Center Now Hosting Support Groups for the Latino Community in Spanish

To register, call Claudia at Nueva Vida: 202.223.9100.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Nina Ritrovato. In partnership with Unite for HER.

Unite for HER Wellness Program

The Unite for HER Wellness Program provides healing and restorative therapies and services to breast and ovarian cancer patients nationwide.

After attending a Wellness Day virtual seminar, participants can choose to receive services like nutritional counseling, meal deliveries, professional counseling, yoga, Reiki, and more, at no personal cost. To learn more, visit uniteforher.org.

About Unite for HER

When Unite for HER founder Sue Weldon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, she began searching for information on therapies that would complement the medical treatments she was receiving. What she discovered was a lack of easily accessible resources on topics like nutrition, acupuncture, massage, yoga, counseling and other ways for breast cancer patients to enhance their wellness and care for their emotional, spiritual, and physical needs.

Since its establishment as a nonprofit organization in 2009, Unite for HER’s cornerstone has been to bridge that gap for breast cancer patients, focusing on wellness initiatives that will positively impact their health, as well as the health of all women and girls.

About Nina Ritrovato

Nina Ritrovato

After volunteering with Unite for HER, Nina started her full time career with Unite for HER in 2019 as the Wellness Day Program Manager. She coordinates with our hospital partners and internal staff to deliver the Wellness Day program and events to the women in our program. She received her Master in Public Health with a concentration in Integrative Health from West Chester University in 2013 and lives in Avondale, PA with her husband and children.

This program series is now full. Please email carla@smithcenter.org to be added to the waitlist.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

Participants MUST be located in Washington, DC, Virginia, or Maryland

with Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C, Sara Field, LICSW, OSW-C and Kiersten Gallagher

This program is offered in partnership with Smith Center for Healing and the Arts & the Ourisman Breast Center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.

This 5-session program uses evidence-based strategies to help decrease feelings of anxiety and depression and increase a sense of well-being.

Each week, new tools using cognitive and behavioral approaches and mind-body strategies will be introduced and practiced. Therefore, weekly attendance is expected.

Mind Over Matter* will be offered as a program series Weekly on Wednesdays from May 4th – June 1st, 2022, from 3:00 – 4:30pm ET via Zoom.

*Open to Cancer Patients/Survivors at any stage in their journey and Cancer Caregivers. Participants are encouraged to attend all 5 sessions to get the most out of the program. Before registering, be sure that you can commit to attending at least 4 of the 5 sessions. Participants MUST be located in Washington, DC, Virginia, or Maryland.

This program is offered in partnership with Smith Center for Healing and the Arts & the Ourisman Breast Center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.

Program Dates:

May 4, 11, 18 & 25
June 1

About Erin Price, MSW, LICSW, OSW-C

Erin Price

Erin serves as Smith Center’s Director of Young Adult and Psychosocial Support Programs. She is trained in Integrative Patient Navigation, a Project LEAD graduate, and holds a Masters in Social Work. A seven-year breast cancer survivor, Erin is passionate about providing support and community to other cancer survivors, especially young adults. She works with Smith Center’s DC Young Adult Cancer Community and is also actively involved in the cancer community through Young Survival Coalition, Critical Mass, the Georgetown Breast Cancer Advocates, National Breast Cancer Coalition, and the DC Cancer Action Partnership.

About Sara Field, MSW, LICSW, OSW-C

Sara Field

Sara is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in DC and holds an Oncology Social Work certification. She earned her Masters Degree in Social Work at the Catholic University of America in DC and has worked in oncology for over 6 years. Sara currently serves as the Clinical Social Worker and Patient Experience Supervisor at the Ourisman Breast Center at MedStar Georgetown and previously worked at the Lombardi Cancer Center and GW Cancer Center. Sara has a strong interest in the intersection of emotional and physical health and a particular passion for supporting parents with cancer and their kids.

About Kiersten Gallagher

Kiersten Gallagher

Kiersten has served as the Cancer Support Program Director for Smith Center since 2014. Before coming to Smith Center, she had the privilege to serve individuals and families living with cancer at Wellness House of Annapolis. Kiersten aims to offer programs to reduce stress and help participants to see the world we live in from different perspectives. She thoroughly enjoys teaching yoga and creativity classes at Smith Center and encourages gentle movement and creativity in the healing process. Kiersten is a certified yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance and also has her YCAT (Yoga Therapy in Cancer and Chronic Illness) Professional Certification through the Integral Yoga Academy. She has completed Patient Navigation training through Smith Center’s Institute for Integrative Oncology Navigation and has also completed the Commonweal Healing Circles: Advanced Cancer Support Training. Kiersten is also certified in CLIMB®(Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) a program that aims to build upon the strengths of children and increase his/her ability to cope with stress associated with a parent’s illness. She believes in a holistic approach to healing, human relationships and is grateful for each and every day. Kiersten has also completed the Compassion Cultivation Training – CCT™ an 8-week program, developed at Stanford University, with insights and techniques from psychology, neuroscience, and contemplative practice. In her spare time, you may find Kiersten laughing with friends, cycling, taking art classes, practicing yoga and spending time with her husband Shane, son Liam, and dogs Beans and Pablo.

This program series* is now full. Please email carla@smithcenter.org to be added to the waitlist.

*Participants MUST be located in Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland or North Carolina. Registration will be closed at 8 participants. Before registering, be sure that you can commit to attending at least 7 of the 8 sessions.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C and Mindy Brodsky, LCSWA

Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Survivors

Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Survivors Group*

Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy is largely based on the work of existential psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl and was developed for those facing illness. Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy aims to decrease feelings of sadness and increase hope by teaching participants how to focus on creating, experiencing, and keeping a sense of meaning in life. Research shows that MCP is very helpful to those who have experienced cancer. During this 8-session weekly group, participants will learn:

To cope better by finding and creating a sense of meaning and purpose in life.

How sources of meaning can be used to help you during hard times.

New ways to face and overcome the challenges caused by your illness.

MCP is meant to help participants look for meaning in their past, present, future and everyday life through teaching, answering questions together, doing homework assignments, and discussions with the group. MCP helps participants use meaning in life to gain a greater sense of purpose.

This group is meant for Cancer Survivors finished with their main treatments or those living with metastatic disease and is offered in partnership with MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Survivors* will be offered as a closed group program from May 2nd – July 11th, 2022 via Zoom.

*Participants MUST be located in Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland or North Carolina. Registration will be closed at 8 participants. Before registering, be sure that you can commit to attending at least 7 of the 8 sessions.

Program Dates:

May 2, 16 & 23
June 6, 13, 20 & 27
July 11

About Erin Price, MSW, LICSW, OSW-C

Erin Price

Erin serves as Smith Center’s Director of Young Adult and Psychosocial Support Programs. She is trained in Integrative Patient Navigation, a Project LEAD graduate, and holds a Masters in Social Work. A seven-year breast cancer survivor, Erin is passionate about providing support and community to other cancer survivors, especially young adults. She works with Smith Center’s DC Young Adult Cancer Community and is also actively involved in the cancer community through Young Survival Coalition, Critical Mass, the Georgetown Breast Cancer Advocates, National Breast Cancer Coalition, and the DC Cancer Action Partnership.

About Mindy Brodsky, LCSWA

Mindy Brodsky

Mindy Brodsky specializes in trauma-informed, strengths-based counseling with a passion for integrative health and healing. Mindy honors her clients as the experts of their lives, and she strives to provide a supportive and safe environment.

PART 4/4. This program series is being offered virtually through Zoom. If you missed the first sessions, please email carla@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Jodi Kanter, PhD

Your Body's Story - Cancer Body Image

Body image may shift in cancer patients due to the presence of a tumor, breast asymmetry and size related to treatment and surgical intervention, changes in weight, or alterations of the skin. “Your Body’s Story” is a place to explore your relationship with your body in the past, present and future.

Our exploration will utilize a variety of creative media: improvisational movement, improvisational conversation, writing, and visual art.

Our goal will be to achieve a more integrated sense of our somatic experiences as they have changed and will continue to change throughout cancer survivorship.

Most research into trauma-informed approaches to wellness suggests that processing the trauma is central to healing. Expressive arts therapies provide aesthetic distance from trauma, even as they encourage representation of the trauma.

In particular, drama therapy allows us to intervene in our traumatic experiences in ways that were impossible at the time of its occurrence. Drama therapy also enables us to actively project into and thereby shape our experience of trauma moving forward.

Your Body’s Story is open to female-identifying cancer patients and survivors at any stage in their journey. The series will be offered as a 4-part program series on:

Fridays, April 1, 8, 22 & 29, 2022, 1:00 – 3:00pm EST

Participants are encouraged to attend all four sessions. Please let us know in advance if you are unable to attend all sessions.

Suggested Donation: $10/session or $35/series

About Jodi Kanter

Jodi Kanter

Jodi has been involved in theater since she was ten years old. She grew up acting and studying performance in American theater’s “Second City,” Chicago Illinois. She is currently a professor of theatre in the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design at George Washington University, where she has been on faculty for nearly fifteen years. Her academic work in theater includes her book, Performing Loss: Strengthening Communities Through Theatre and Writing (2007). Jodi’s focus on performance as a tool for individual and social healing and change has led her to create workshops, events and productions in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, schools, and prisons. Most recently, she co-created a four-month diversity and inclusion program for members of DC’s fourteen Neighborhood Village associations using the methodology of Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed. Jodi holds a PhD. in Performance Studies from Northwestern University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in dramatherapy at Lesley University.

PART 3/4. This program series is being offered virtually through Zoom. If you missed the first sessions, please email carla@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Jodi Kanter, PhD

Your Body's Story - Cancer Body Image

Body image may shift in cancer patients due to the presence of a tumor, breast asymmetry and size related to treatment and surgical intervention, changes in weight, or alterations of the skin. “Your Body’s Story” is a place to explore your relationship with your body in the past, present and future.

Our exploration will utilize a variety of creative media: improvisational movement, improvisational conversation, writing, and visual art.

Our goal will be to achieve a more integrated sense of our somatic experiences as they have changed and will continue to change throughout cancer survivorship.

Most research into trauma-informed approaches to wellness suggests that processing the trauma is central to healing. Expressive arts therapies provide aesthetic distance from trauma, even as they encourage representation of the trauma.

In particular, drama therapy allows us to intervene in our traumatic experiences in ways that were impossible at the time of its occurrence. Drama therapy also enables us to actively project into and thereby shape our experience of trauma moving forward.

Your Body’s Story is open to female-identifying cancer patients and survivors at any stage in their journey. The series will be offered as a 4-part program series on:

Fridays, April 1, 8, 22 & 29, 2022, 1:00 – 3:00pm EST

Participants are encouraged to attend all four sessions. Please let us know in advance if you are unable to attend all sessions.

Suggested Donation: $10/session or $35/series

About Jodi Kanter

Jodi Kanter

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts - community. creativity. support

Tag: Breast Cancer

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.