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 Kathleen O’Toole
Writing Through the Seasons
Summon the Resilience of Spring, Nature and Ourselves
Kathleen O’Toole’s work with haiku and other short poetic forms is deeply rooted in attention to the natural world. In her Writing through the Seasons workshops for Smith Center for the Healing Arts, she guides participants through poems, poetry forms and writing practices that invite us to pay attention to the ways season changes bring special opportunities for healing and creativity.
We’ll mark our own seasonal awareness, just after the spring equinox, and again near Samhain next fall, collecting images and feelings— “word paintings” as described by Yosa Buson, haiku master —to summon the energy needed to heal body & soul.
For these sessions: No previous poetry writing experience required, just an openness to playing with words. Bring an open heart, a notebook or sketchbook; whatever materials you need to respond to poetry and nature. (Previous participants have journaled, created drafts of poems or sketches to capture feelings and insights that have surfaced in our sessions.)
Kathleen O’Toole is a poet whose work with haiku and other short poetic forms is deeply rooted in attention to the natural world. These three workshops will guide participants through poetry forms and writing practices that invite us to explore the ways season changes bring special opportunities for healing and creativity. The ancient Celts celebrated cross-quarter days as moments of magic and openings to spirit and ritual; we’ll mark our own seasonal awareness.
Writing Through the Seasons: The Healing Power of Nature will be offered as a program series, spread over the seasons.
Suggested Donation: $15/session
This program is offered for free or at a low cost on a pay-as-you-can basis. Contributions are not required to attend, ensuring accessibility for everyone. If you’re able to donate, we deeply appreciate your support—every contribution directly funds our cancer support programs.
About Kathleen O’Toole
Takoma Park Poet Laureate Kathleen O’Toole is the author of 4 books of poetry (find her at https://kathleenotoolepoetry.com). She has taught writing at Johns Hopkins University and the Maryland Institute College of Art. As evident in her longer work, she often seeks inspiration and consolation in nature. For more than thirty years she has been writing haiku as a spiritual practice of attention, and to deepen her experience of the natural world.
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 Julie McCarter
Photo by Julie McCarter
In this two hour workshop, participants will learn the fundamental of an expressive photography practice, one that is grounded in mindfulness and open-hearted awareness. The aim of this practice is to allow photography to become a vehicle for cultivating self-expression, inspiration – as well as a tool for nervous system regulation. We will practice gentle breathwork, mindfulness meditation and creative exploration through photography. You’ll walk away from the workshop having developed your own creative wellness practice that you can use anytime.
Please bring a journal, your phone/camera and your two favorite objects.
Suggested Donation: $15
This program is offered for free or at a low cost on a pay-as-you-can basis. Contributions are not required to attend, ensuring accessibility for everyone. If you’re able to donate, we deeply appreciate your support—every contribution directly funds our cancer support programs.
About Julie McCarter
Julie is a fine art photographer and therapist, offering workshops that blend her two worlds of creative expression and emotional wellness. She is based in the Greater Washington DC area. Her photographic work may be viewed at: jfmccarter.com and juliemccartter.com.
Contact email: julie@jfmccarter.com
This program is currently full. To be added to the waitlist, please email olivia@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 and Sara Field, LICSW, OSW-C
This program is offered in partnership between 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.
NOTE: *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.
Mind Over Matter* will be offered as a program series Weekly on Wednesdays from January 15th – February 12th, 2025 from 2:30 – 4:00pm ET via Zoom.
Program Dates:
- January 15, 22 & 29
- February 5 & 12
About Erin Price, MSW, 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 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, LICSW, OSW-C
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.
