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 Kiersten Gallagher

Outside the Lines: A Creative Art Studio

Creative expression has often been used in the healing process and it is at the core of Smith Center’s philosophy, but fear of judgment and “not being an artist” can often prevent us from tapping into its healing power. Join us for Outside the Lines: Social Hour, where we will catch up as we reclaim art-making as a healing tool. Participants are welcome to work on their own creative projects as we socialize.

Outside the Lines is held Bi-Monthly on Wednesdays from 10:30am – 12:00pm ET. The Social Hour sessions will only run from 10:30 – 11:30am.

Suggested donation: $10 per class

Our programs are open to the community, and tailored to meet the needs of people affected by cancer. Classes and workshops are free or low cost on a pay-as-you-can basis, ensuring that our programs are accessible to everyone.

About Kiersten Gallagher

Kiersten Gallagher

As the Cancer Support Program Director, Kiersten fully believes that through the arts we can expand our perspectives and explore new fulfilling ways of being. She invites you to make our space your own refuge, to circumvent your daily routine to spark creativity, to take time for introspection, and draw outside the lines.

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 Lauren Powell, RDN, LDN, GW Cancer Center

Nutrition Club is a chance for patients, survivors, caregivers and providers to get together to discuss nutrition topics and learn more about how nutrition can play a role in cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship. It is hosted and offered in partnership with GW Cancer Center.

Nutrition Club will be hosted Monthly on the 1st Monday from 12-1pm ET.

About Lauren Powell, RDN, LDN

Lauren Powell

Lauren Powell (RDN, LDN) is a registered dietitian working in the DC area. She has served in many settings including food services, long-term care, rehab facilities, post-surgical, and intensive care units. While working at George Washington University Hospital she found her passion for Oncology Nutrition. She now works as the Dietitian for the GW Cancer Center helping to support the nutrition needs of those undergoing treatment and survivors.

About 2Unstoppable

2Unstoppable is a non-profit whose mission is to encourage and support exercise among women who have had a cancer diagnosis. Free online fitness buddy matching, oncology fitness resources, and community events at www.2unstoppable.org. Please visit https://2unstoppable.org/events/ for a list of upcoming events.

This class is in-person. To participate, please register for the first session on October 8th. If you have any questions, please email olivia@smithcenter.org.

with Sylvia Sturm

Image result for sylvia sturm reiki

Anyone can learn and use Reiki. This gentle hands-on modality utilizes the power of universal life force energy to harmonize the energies of the body. It is a gift anyone can use daily to instill deep relaxation. When deeply relaxed, the body can begin to use its own inner resources to reduce stress and anxiety and to find a sense of inner peace. As the healing power of energy medicine has become more and more recognized, Reiki has become an important contribution to Integrative Medicine. It has been well researched and is used in hospitals and healing settings throughout the world. With a special emphasis on self-treatment, this is a two-part class in the gentle energy balancing modality of Reiki. Students will learn the history of Reiki, identify hand positions for treating self and others, receive attunements to the Reiki energy and practice hands-on sessions. Those attending both classes will receive Reiki 1 certification.

Dates and Time:
· October 8 – 1 – 4 p.m.
· October 29 – 1 – 4 p.m.

There is a $150 fee to participate in this 2-part Reiki 1 Class. Participants attending both classes will receive Reiki attunements and a Reiki 1 Certificate.

Address:

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

1632 U Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

For those who haven’t been to Smith Center before, Smith Center is a 15-minute walk from both the Metro Red Line (Dupont Circle) or Green Line (U Street Cardozo). For those driving, there is On-street, two-hour metered parking on U St and two-hour, non-metered parking in the surrounding neighborhood.

About Sylvia Sturm

Sylvia Sturm, RM/T, EEM-CLP, heads our Energy Balancing Team. She is a Reiki Master/Teacher and a Certified Eden Energy Medicine Clinical Practitioner. She is also a student of Wu Ming Qigong under the tutelage of Grand Master Nan Lu. In 2019, after having served and taught Reiki at a seniors residence, Sylvia brought the Energy Balancing Team to Smith Center. She has practiced Reiki with the GW Center for Integrative Medicine and, for 6 years, served as a Reiki volunteer at GWU Hospital. Throughout COVID, the Energy Balancing continued to serve the Smith Center community via distance sessions. Sylvia has a private energy medicine practice in Kensington, MD. To learn more about Sylvia and subtle energies, please visit her website www.sylviasturm.com.

This class is in-person. See below for location.

with Sylvia Sturm

Image result for sylvia sturm reiki

Dates and Time:
· October 8 – 1 – 4 p.m.
· October 29 – 1 – 4 p.m.

There is a $150 fee to participate in this 2-part Reiki 1 Class. Participants attending both classes will receive Reiki attunements and a Reiki 1 Certificate.

Address:

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

1632 U Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

About Sylvia Sturm

Registration for this program is now full. If you would like to be added to the waitlist to be notified if a space becomes available, please email programs@smithcenter.org.

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 Lennie Naughton and Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C

Whether related to cancer, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or another experience or diagnosis, fatigue can often feel challenging and difficult to handle. This 6-week group will offer space to be with others who live with fatigue and will provide you with strategies and coping tools to help manage it–and help make room for more of what matters to you. This virtual educational group provides opportunities for interactive discussions and practicing strategies to help manage fatigue. Participants are encouraged to attend all 6 sessions and should be prepared to participate as much as possible in each session.

This group is open to adults of all ages who experience fatigue. Fatigue often feels like “running on empty,” and can include having reduced energy, focus, and motivation, or feeling weak or easily exhausted by everyday tasks.

Please note: this group does not treat insomnia. If you are experiencing exhaustion due to lack of sleep, please be aware that this group may not be the best fit as it does not provide or replace treatment for insomnia or other sleep disorders.

This group meets weekly for 6 weeks on Tuesdays from September 26 – October 31 from 3:00-4:30pm ET.

About Lennie Naughton

Lennie Naughton is a social work intern pursuing their MSW with Simmons University. With over 10 years of direct service experience with youth and adults, Lennie provides individual therapy and group facilitation at Smith Center. Their experience also includes development and delivery of youth programming, and over five years of case management providing crisis counseling and connecting clients to reproductive health care access. Lennie is dedicated to supporting and advocating with underserved communities in healthcare systems, including people with disabilities as well as transgender and other LGBTQ+ community members. In Lennie’s free time, they can be found spending time with loved ones (including their cat named Cannoli).

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.

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.

with M’Bahlia Colson and Rachel Ress, LICSW

In Partnership with Cancer Support Community

Previvor Support Group

This group is for previvors who have an elevated predisposition for a cancer diagnosis or those who have tested positive to cancer genetic markers, such as the BRCA gene.

Having a predisposition to cancer can be an overwhelming experience and one that is often isolating. As a previvor, one often goes through emotional, physical, and mental hardships.

This group offers a safe space for community where you can talk openly with others who also identify as previvors.

Beginning in September, the Previvor Support Group will meet Monthly on the 4th Tuesday of the month from 6:30 – 7:30pm ET.

About M’Bahlia Colson

M’bahlia is a mother, educator and a previvor. Her mom died from breast cancer and dad from prostate cancer. After two breast lumptectomies she was diagnosed with a high expentancy of developing breast cancer. She underwent a prophylatic bilateral mastectomy during the height of the Covid 19 pandemic in NYC. To her disbelief, the hospital did not offer any support for women to help navigate this “new” life. Upon returning home to Washington, DC for reconstruction again no community for support, safe space and sharing.

As an educator and administrator for more than 15 years, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Master’s Degree in Education. M’bahlia applies her research and education background to provide resources to her new community to help them make informed decisions and accesss to support groups.

About Rachel Ress, LICSW

Rachel Ress

Rachel is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker serving as Cancer Support Community Washington DC’s (CSC DC) Community Navigator. Prior to working at CSC DC, Rachel was an oncology social worker with the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital for three years. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice where she interned at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Rachel uses an eclectic approach in providing support and compassion to cancer patients and their families, and she is passionate about the intersection of chronic illness and mental health.

This session has been cancelled. The next session is on Wednesday, October 11th.

with Kevin Mutschler

in partnership with Tigerlily Foundation

*Please note that by registering for this program, you consent to have your name and email shared with Tigerlily Foundation. Tigerlily only collects this information for data purposes and it will not be shared with any other parties.

This is an all levels introduction to the practice of Qigong. You will learn about the human energy system, also known as the subtle body.

In the tradition of Qigong, we will learn practices to shape and sculpt this system for our highest good in 3 ways:

Purge or clear stagnant energy

Tone or nourish energy to replenish our internal resources

Regulate our energy system

Our practice will include discussion and movement in addition to an energetic transmission and meditation.

Qigong will be hosted Bi-Monthly on Wednesdays from 7:00 – 8:00pm ET.

About Kevin Mutschler, L.AC.

Kevin Mutschler

Kevin is a board-certified acupuncturist (NCCAOM) and Qigong educator with over twenty-five years experience in healing arts practice, research and education, including work in medical anthropology, somatic therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Kevin has special interests in working with patients living with chronic illness, migraine, MS and cancer. He is a Smith Center fellow in Integrative Cancer Care Navigation and is a member of the Society for Integrative Oncology.

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 Kevin Mutschler

in partnership with Tigerlily Foundation

This is an all levels introduction to the practice of Qigong. You will learn about the human energy system, also known as the subtle body.

In the tradition of Qigong, we will learn practices to shape and sculpt this system for our highest good in 3 ways:

Purge or clear stagnant energy

Tone or nourish energy to replenish our internal resources

Regulate our energy system

Our practice will include discussion and movement in addition to an energetic transmission and meditation.

Qigong will be hosted Bi-Monthly on Wednesdays from 7:00 – 8:00pm ET.

About Kevin Mutschler, L.AC.

Kevin Mutschler

This program has been cancelled. In order to participate in the regularly scheduled Outside the Lines session taking place instead, please email programs@smithcenter.org.

with Renee Sandell, PhD

Join us in-person for Outside the Lines with a guest artist.

Develop your innate creative skills in this hands-on workshop that uses Marking & Mapping® to discover your “visual voice” as you engage in visual meditation and warm-up exercises. Have fun making playful marks using art tools that help you create a “spiritual” life map of your virtues and intentions. You will be encouraged to use meaningful words, images, and events that hold significance to you. The act of mapping out your thoughts visually can be a transformative experience, allowing you to see patterns, connections, and themes in your life that might have gone unnoticed. The process can be both eye-opening and cathartic, leading to new insights and a deeper understanding of your inner self. No previous art experience needed. Join us and surprise yourself!

Outside the Lines is held Bi-Monthly on Wednesdays from 10:30am – 12:00pm. The Social Hour sessions will only run from 10:30-11:30am.

Suggested Donation: $15

Address:

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

1632 U Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

About Renee Sandell

Renee Sandell

Renee Sandell’s art, teaching, and research focus on Visual Fitness 4 All: Engaging Creativity and Insight® for EVERYONE. Renee is founder/director of the expeditionary, museum-based SummerVision DC Program, which she designed and has delivered for the National Art Education Association (NAEA) for 10 years since 2010. Previously Professor of Art Education at George Mason University (2004-2014) and at Maryland Institute College of Art (1990-2003), she is co-author of two books on gender issues and has published numerous articles, book chapters and art curricula. Winner of the 2019 Lowenfeld Award, Sandell was recognized as 2015-2016 Distinguished Lecturer in Art Education at Miami University and 2013 NAEA National Art Educator. Renee has received numerous awards for her leadership and scholarship on her Form+Theme+Context (FTC)® and her Marking & Mapping®, an accessible form of visual meaning-making. Sandell’s Visual Fitness 4 All® for Engaging Creativity and Insight® workshops are designed to nurture envisioning skills for individuals within professional development programs, organizations, health spas, businesses, and other venues. She has been offering Art & Virtues workshops since early in the Pandemic. Renee’s Smithsonian Associates studio courses include: “Curating a Life: Art as Memoir,” Seeing More: Art, Virtues, and Our Lives, and Visual Journaling: Creativity Workshop.

Learn more about Renee’s teaching at www.visualfitness4all.com Renee’s artwork includes artistic installations of multi-media markings on paper, board, and silk, to explore the human condition in time, space, and place. To learn more about Renee’s artwork, visit her website www.reneesandellart.com

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 Lauren Powell, RDN, LDN, GW Cancer Center

Nutrition Club is a chance for patients, survivors, caregivers and providers to get together to discuss nutrition topics and learn more about how nutrition can play a role in cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship. It is hosted and offered in partnership with GW Cancer Center.

Nutrition Club will be hosted Monthly on the 1st Monday from 12-1pm ET.

About Lauren Powell, RDN, LDN

Lauren Powell

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

Tag: Education

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.