If you are interested in joining this program, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.

Part 1/5. This program series is being offered virtually through Zoom.

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

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, and Life With Cancer.

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 April 26th – May 24th, 2023, 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.

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

Program Dates:

April 26
May 3, 10, 17 & 24

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 is being offered virtually through Zoom. If you are interested in joining this series, email programs@smithcenter.org.

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

with Ashley Ashford and Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C

Online Group Therapy for DBT | Grouport

DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) is an evidence-based modality that can be used to cope with some of life’s most difficult challenges and obstacles, including a cancer diagnosis. DBT offers a variety of skills to help with emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. In this 4-week educational program, you will learn various DBT-based skills that can help you cope with emotional challenges of cancer treatment and survivorship. By participating in this program you gain tools you can can use to feel more in control of your ability to cope with cancer and its after-effects.

This group is open to any adult who has received a cancer diagnosis and is currently at any point in treatment or survivorship. Each session will consist of a mindfulness practice, psycho-education, as well as, skill presentation and practice. You will be encouraged to practice the mindfulness exercises and skills taught in between sessions. The content learned each week will build on the previous weeks, so we encourage you to register for the program only if you are able to commit to attend each of the four sessions.

This group will meet on Thursdays from 3:00-4:30pm ET.

Session Dates:

March 23
March 30
April 6
April 13

About Ashley Ashford

Ashley is a student at Simmons University, obtaining her master’s degree in social work. Her area of focus is mental health. She has a Bachelors in Science with a focus in Public Health. Ashley has over 11 years of experience in the healthcare field which includes working in clinical and clerical roles. She is currently completing her final semester of internship at Smith Center providing mental health therapy for cancer patients. Ashley developed a passion for social work and mental health therapy while working in the healthcare field. Working behind the scenes revealed many of the flaws in the healthcare system. She wanted to be apart of the solution in helping people navigate through those flaws.

Ashley is passionate about improving the quality of life and health of individuals by, helping people navigate through difficult life situations through advocacy, and providing therapeutic support to all social identities. Her desire is to make an impact and imprint and be an influence amongst others as a mental health therapist. Ashley’s goal as a social worker and mental health therapist is to one day open a healthcare clinic in her community which will aid in addressing some of the complications of the socio-economic issues in her community.

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.