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 Sara Richman, LICSW and Jessica Gelfarb, MSW, LICSW

This monthly support group is designed for adult patients/survivors diagnosed with Prostate cancer. The group will incorporate education lectures coupled with emotional support and is hosted by and offered in partnership with the GW Cancer Center.

GW Cancer Center Prostate Cancer Support Group


The Prostate Cancer Support Group meets Monthly on the 2nd Tuesday from 12:30-1:30pm. 


About Jessica Gelfarb, MSW, LICSW

Jessica Gelfarb

Jessica is a licensed clinical social worker who has experience working with patients and families facing a range of medical diagnoses in both inpatient and outpatient settings.  She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from University of Michigan and her masters degree in social work from University of Maryland with a focus on clinical and medical social work. Jessica recently joined the team at the George Washington University  cancer center as an oncology social worker. Prior to her role at GW Jessica worked extensively with organ transplant patients at Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute and co-led the institute’s transplant support group. She has also spent time working on cardiology and intensive care units throughout her career.  Jessica initially became interested in pursuing oncology social work after attending the Association of Oncology Social Work’s annual conference a number of years ago as well as observing first- hand the widespread impact that cancer has on so many individuals and families.   She is passionate about partnering with patients in order to provide psychosocial and emotional support as they navigate their diagnosis and treatment.

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 Jessica Gelfarb, MSW, LICSW & Sara Richman, LICSW, GW Cancer Center 

This monthly support group is designed for adult patients/survivors diagnosed with gynecologic cancers (including cervical, endometrial, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar cancers) and their caregivers. The group will incorporate education lectures coupled with emotional support and is hosted by and offered in partnership with the GW Cancer Center.

GW Cancer Center Head and Neck Cancer Support Group


The Gynecologic Cancer Support Group meets Monthly on the 1st Tuesday from 11:00am-12:00pm ET. 


About Jessica Gelfarb, MSW, LICSW

Jessica Gelfarb

Jessica is a licensed clinical social worker who has experience working with patients and families facing a range of medical diagnoses in both inpatient and outpatient settings.  She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from University of Michigan and her masters degree in social work from University of Maryland with a focus on clinical and medical social work. Jessica recently joined the team at the George Washington University  cancer center as an oncology social worker. Prior to her role at GW Jessica worked extensively with organ transplant patients at Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute and co-led the institute’s transplant support group. She has also spent time working on cardiology and intensive care units throughout her career.  Jessica initially became interested in pursuing oncology social work after attending the Association of Oncology Social Work’s annual conference a number of years ago as well as observing first- hand the widespread impact that cancer has on so many individuals and families.   She is passionate about partnering with patients in order to provide psychosocial and emotional support as they navigate their diagnosis and treatment.

About Sara Richman, LICSW

Sara Richman, LICSW is a licensed and certified oncology clinical social worker (OSW-C). She received her masters in social work (MSW) at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. Prior to working at GW, Sara was an oncology clinical social worker at MedStar Washington Hospital Center where she worked with all types of blood cancers and disorders.

This program is being offered virtually only now.

In order to participate, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

with Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C

Receiving a cancer diagnosis, going through treatment, and managing side effects all while continuing to live your life can often make you feel crazy. Many cancer survivors feel like their family and friends don’t understand and that they aren’t sure how to make sense of their identity after cancer. This workshop provides information on the prevalence of mental and emotional health issues among cancer survivors, normalizes the experience, and offers tools and resources for coping. This program is offered in partnership with the Washington Cancer Institute at Medstar Washington Hospital Center.


About Erin Price, 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 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 currently full. If you would like to be added to the wait list, please email olivia@smithcenter.org.

with Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C and Susan Oetgen

offered in partnership with Ourisman Breast Center at MedStar Georgetown

Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Survivors

Meaning-Centered Group for Cancer Survivors Group*

Meaning-Centered Group is largely based on the work of existential psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl and was developed for those facing illness. Meaning-Centered Group 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 MCG 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. 

MCG 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. MCG 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.

This program is provided thanks to generous funding from The Washington Home and offered in partnership between Smith Center for Healing and the Arts & the Ourisman Breast Center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.


Meaning-Centered Group for Cancer Survivors* will be offered as a closed group program from March 13th – May 8th, 2024 (No session on 03/27) via Zoom. It will be offered for 8 weeks on Wednesdays from 3:00-4:30pm ET. 

*Registration will be closed at 10 participants. Before registering, be sure that you can commit to attending at least 7 of the 8 sessions.

Program Dates:

  • March 13 & 20
  • April 3, 10, 17 & 4
  • May 1 & 8

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 Susan Oetgen

Susan Oetgen is an intern with the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts’s therapy program.  Currently working towards a master’s degree in mental health counseling and expressive arts therapy at Lesley University, Susan is dedicated to the arts as a trauma-informed, culturally responsive pathway to healing for individuals and communities. Her current creative wellness inspirations include herbal medicine, hot yoga and slow fashion.

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 Sara Richman, LICSW and Jessica Gelfarb, MSW, LICSW

This monthly support group is designed for adult patients/survivors diagnosed with Prostate cancer. The group will incorporate education lectures coupled with emotional support and is hosted by and offered in partnership with the GW Cancer Center.

GW Cancer Center Prostate Cancer Support Group


The Prostate Cancer Support Group meets Monthly on the 2nd Tuesday from 12:30-1:30pm. 


About Jessica Gelfarb, MSW, LICSW

Jessica Gelfarb

Jessica is a licensed clinical social worker who has experience working with patients and families facing a range of medical diagnoses in both inpatient and outpatient settings.  She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from University of Michigan and her masters degree in social work from University of Maryland with a focus on clinical and medical social work. Jessica recently joined the team at the George Washington University  cancer center as an oncology social worker. Prior to her role at GW Jessica worked extensively with organ transplant patients at Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute and co-led the institute’s transplant support group. She has also spent time working on cardiology and intensive care units throughout her career.  Jessica initially became interested in pursuing oncology social work after attending the Association of Oncology Social Work’s annual conference a number of years ago as well as observing first- hand the widespread impact that cancer has on so many individuals and families.   She is passionate about partnering with patients in order to provide psychosocial and emotional support as they navigate their diagnosis and treatment.

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 Jessica Gelfarb, MSW, LICSW & Sara Richman, LICSW, GW Cancer Center 

This monthly support group is designed for adult patients/survivors diagnosed with gynecologic cancers (including cervical, endometrial, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar cancers) and their caregivers. The group will incorporate education lectures coupled with emotional support and is hosted by and offered in partnership with the GW Cancer Center.

GW Cancer Center Head and Neck Cancer Support Group


The Gynecologic Cancer Support Group meets Monthly on the 1st Tuesday from 11:00am-12:00pm ET. 


About Jessica Gelfarb, MSW, LICSW

Jessica Gelfarb

Jessica is a licensed clinical social worker who has experience working with patients and families facing a range of medical diagnoses in both inpatient and outpatient settings.  She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from University of Michigan and her masters degree in social work from University of Maryland with a focus on clinical and medical social work. Jessica recently joined the team at the George Washington University  cancer center as an oncology social worker. Prior to her role at GW Jessica worked extensively with organ transplant patients at Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute and co-led the institute’s transplant support group. She has also spent time working on cardiology and intensive care units throughout her career.  Jessica initially became interested in pursuing oncology social work after attending the Association of Oncology Social Work’s annual conference a number of years ago as well as observing first- hand the widespread impact that cancer has on so many individuals and families.   She is passionate about partnering with patients in order to provide psychosocial and emotional support as they navigate their diagnosis and treatment.

About Sara Richman, LICSW

Sara Richman, LICSW is a licensed and certified oncology clinical social worker (OSW-C). She received her masters in social work (MSW) at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. Prior to working at GW, Sara was an oncology clinical social worker at MedStar Washington Hospital Center where she worked with all types of blood cancers and disorders.

This month’s meeting is on Thursday, February 8th for a guest speaker. 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 Sara Richman, LICSW and Jessica Gelfarb, MSW, LICSW

This monthly support group is designed for adult patients/survivors diagnosed with Prostate cancer. The group will incorporate education lectures coupled with emotional support and is hosted by and offered in partnership with the GW Cancer Center.

GW Cancer Center Prostate Cancer Support Group


The Prostate Cancer Support Group meets Monthly on the 2nd Tuesday from 12:30-1:30pm. For February, the group will meet on Thursday – February 8th from 12:30-1:30pm for a guest speaker. 


About Jessica Gelfarb, MSW, LICSW

Jessica Gelfarb

Jessica is a licensed clinical social worker who has experience working with patients and families facing a range of medical diagnoses in both inpatient and outpatient settings.  She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from University of Michigan and her masters degree in social work from University of Maryland with a focus on clinical and medical social work. Jessica recently joined the team at the George Washington University  cancer center as an oncology social worker. Prior to her role at GW Jessica worked extensively with organ transplant patients at Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute and co-led the institute’s transplant support group. She has also spent time working on cardiology and intensive care units throughout her career.  Jessica initially became interested in pursuing oncology social work after attending the Association of Oncology Social Work’s annual conference a number of years ago as well as observing first- hand the widespread impact that cancer has on so many individuals and families.   She is passionate about partnering with patients in order to provide psychosocial and emotional support as they navigate their diagnosis and treatment.

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 Jessica Gelfarb, MSW, LICSW & Sara Richman, LICSW, GW Cancer Center 

This monthly support group is designed for adult patients/survivors diagnosed with gynecologic cancers (including cervical, endometrial, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar cancers) and their caregivers. The group will incorporate education lectures coupled with emotional support and is hosted by and offered in partnership with the GW Cancer Center.

GW Cancer Center Head and Neck Cancer Support Group


The Gynecologic Cancer Support Group meets Monthly on the 1st Tuesday from 11:00am-12:00pm ET. 


About Jessica Gelfarb, MSW, LICSW

Jessica Gelfarb

Jessica is a licensed clinical social worker who has experience working with patients and families facing a range of medical diagnoses in both inpatient and outpatient settings.  She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from University of Michigan and her masters degree in social work from University of Maryland with a focus on clinical and medical social work. Jessica recently joined the team at the George Washington University  cancer center as an oncology social worker. Prior to her role at GW Jessica worked extensively with organ transplant patients at Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute and co-led the institute’s transplant support group. She has also spent time working on cardiology and intensive care units throughout her career.  Jessica initially became interested in pursuing oncology social work after attending the Association of Oncology Social Work’s annual conference a number of years ago as well as observing first- hand the widespread impact that cancer has on so many individuals and families.   She is passionate about partnering with patients in order to provide psychosocial and emotional support as they navigate their diagnosis and treatment.

About Sara Richman, LICSW

Sara Richman, LICSW is a licensed and certified oncology clinical social worker (OSW-C). She received her masters in social work (MSW) at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. Prior to working at GW, Sara was an oncology clinical social worker at MedStar Washington Hospital Center where she worked with all types of blood cancers and disorders.

This program is being offered in a virtual format only.  

In order to receive the Zoom invite, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

with Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C & Julia Rowland, PhD

Part 4 of this 4 part series discusses the importance of healthy lifestyle in preventing cancer recurrence and risk reduction. We will talk about the various aspects of healthy lifestyle that have evidence related to cancer prevention: diet, weight management, physical activity, smoking, sun block use, and alcohol use.

Participants can choose to register to attend all 4 parts of this survivorship series, or specific sessions.

Survivorship 101 Sessions include:

  • February 6 – Part 1: Introduction to survivorship: definitions, transition to recovery challenges and developing a survivorship care plan.
  • February 20 – Part 2: Managing fear of recurrence, sleeping better and stressing less.
  • March 5 – Part 3: The importance of social support: Managing other’s expectations at home, at work, at school; communication with family, friends and colleagues and Finding (and using!) the right healing resources.
  • March 19 – Part 4: The importance of healthy lifestyle: diet, weight, physical activity, smoking, sun block use, alcohol use.

This program is offered in partnership with the Washington Cancer Institute at Medstar Washington Hospital Center.


About Julia H. Rowland, Ph.D.

Julia Rowland

Julia Rowland, PhD, who joined Smith Center in October 2017, comes to this position as a long-time clinician, researcher and teacher in the area of psychosocial aspects of cancer. She has worked with and conducted competitively funded research among both pediatric and adult cancer survivors and their families, and published broadly in psycho-oncology, including co-editing, along with Dr. Jimmie Holland, the ground-breaking text, Handbook of Psychooncology.  She has also been a frequent speaker on cancer survivorship, or life after cancer, for both professional and lay audiences.

Julia received her PhD in Developmental Psychology from Columbia University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in psychosocial oncology. While at MSKCC, where she held joint appointments in pediatrics and neurology, Julia helped to develop and was the first Director of the Post-Treatment Resource Program, one of the first non-medical survivorship care programs to be offered by a major cancer center in the U.S. In 1990 she moved with her husband and two young children to Washington, DC to become founding Director of the Psycho-Oncology Program at Georgetown University and the Lombardi Cancer Center. There she helped expand services to meet the psychosocial needs of cancer patients and families, launched some of the first quality of life clinical trials, and also introduced a program to enable first year medical students to learn the art of caring for those living through and beyond cancer from survivors themselves and Lombardi faculty. Nine years later, in September of 1999, she was recruited to the National Cancer Institute to become the first, full-time Director of the Office of Cancer Survivorship, a position in which she served for 18 years, championing the growth of survivorship research and care, before stepping down in September 2017 to assume her new role at Smith Center. Although new to the team, Julia is no stranger to Smith Center. She knew Smith Center’s founder, Barbara Smith Coleman, and has volunteered her expertise across the years as a speaker, group leader and staff member for both the 1-day and weeklong residential retreats. Julia brings to her new role a passion to translate what research has taught us about healing in the context of cancer to the broader community, in essence, taking the science of survivorship from the lab bench to the park bench.

About Erin Price, 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 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 only now. To receive the Zoom link to join, please register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

with Julia Rowland, PhD

Part 3 of this 4-part series provides information on the importance of Social Support. This includes managing other’s expectations at home, at work, at school; communication with family, friends and colleagues and finding (and using!) the right healing resources.

Participants can choose to register to attend all 4 parts of this survivorship series, or specific sessions.

Survivorship 101 Sessions include:

  • February 6 – Part 1: Introduction to survivorship: definitions, transition to recovery challenges and developing a survivorship care plan.
  • February 20 – Part 2: Managing fear of recurrence, sleeping better and stressing less.
  • March 5 – Part 3: The importance of social support: Managing other’s expectations at home, at work, at school; communication with family, friends and colleagues and Finding (and using!) the right healing resources.
  • March 19 – Part 4: The importance of healthy lifestyle: diet, weight, physical activity, smoking, sun block use, alcohol use.

This program is offered in partnership with the Washington Cancer Institute at Medstar Washington Hospital Center.


About Julia H. Rowland, Ph.D.

Julia Rowland

Julia Rowland, PhD, who joined Smith Center in October 2017, comes to this position as a long-time clinician, researcher and teacher in the area of psychosocial aspects of cancer. She has worked with and conducted competitively funded research among both pediatric and adult cancer survivors and their families, and published broadly in psycho-oncology, including co-editing, along with Dr. Jimmie Holland, the ground-breaking text, Handbook of Psychooncology.  She has also been a frequent speaker on cancer survivorship, or life after cancer, for both professional and lay audiences.

Julia received her PhD in Developmental Psychology from Columbia University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in psychosocial oncology. While at MSKCC, where she held joint appointments in pediatrics and neurology, Julia helped to develop and was the first Director of the Post-Treatment Resource Program, one of the first non-medical survivorship care programs to be offered by a major cancer center in the U.S. In 1990 she moved with her husband and two young children to Washington, DC to become founding Director of the Psycho-Oncology Program at Georgetown University and the Lombardi Cancer Center. There she helped expand services to meet the psychosocial needs of cancer patients and families, launched some of the first quality of life clinical trials, and also introduced a program to enable first year medical students to learn the art of caring for those living through and beyond cancer from survivors themselves and Lombardi faculty. Nine years later, in September of 1999, she was recruited to the National Cancer Institute to become the first, full-time Director of the Office of Cancer Survivorship, a position in which she served for 18 years, championing the growth of survivorship research and care, before stepping down in September 2017 to assume her new role at Smith Center. Although new to the team, Julia is no stranger to Smith Center. She knew Smith Center’s founder, Barbara Smith Coleman, and has volunteered her expertise across the years as a speaker, group leader and staff member for both the 1-day and weeklong residential retreats. Julia brings to her new role a passion to translate what research has taught us about healing in the context of cancer to the broader community, in essence, taking the science of survivorship from the lab bench to the park bench.