Support Groups
Support groups offer a place where we can be ourselves, where we don’t need to censor what we say. We can laugh, cry, celebrate, use humor, and find relief in the universality of our experiences. With our burdens lifted, we can go back to our families and friends and work and lives able to handle the difficult reality with equanimity.
Like all our services, Cancer Connection offers support groups free of charge for men, women, and children living with a cancer diagnosis, their families, and caregivers.
For group registrations, please call (413) 586-1642 and speak to one or our Befriender’s or leave a message and we will call you back.
Cancer Connection is currently offering many of our support groups by telephone or using other remote technology as well as in person. See below for a complete list and to see which are using remote technology and which are hybrid.
Confidentiality
All of the confidentiality norms and expectations of the standard Cancer Connection Confidentiality Agreement for participants and facilitators remains in effect for telephone and online activities. We ask all participants to keep confidential the identity of others they meet in group activities, and not to disclose any personal information that is shared in a support group or program to anyone outside of that meeting. We can talk about ideas outside of the group, but not about people.
Attendance
Before joining a group, each participant needs to talk with the facilitator to discuss whether the group will fit your needs. Once registered you can come whenever you want or need to. That could be a couple of weeks, a couple of months, once in a while, just when you’re receiving chemo or recovering from surgery or radiation, or when you’re anxious about an upcoming scan, blood test, or doctor’s appointment. Your attendance is completely up to your discretion.
See below for a description of all our support groups or visit the calendar to see the complete schedule.
Young Adult Peer Support Group
Led by Rachel Kohler
Hybrid: in person at the Cancer Connection Center and via remote technology
Meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month - 5:00pm-6:00pm
Join fellow young adults (19-35) managing their cancer diagnosis or navigating remission in our twice monthly peer-to-peer support group with periodic drop in LMHC. We’ll be discussing experiences specific to young adults while incorporating professional supports as well as engaging social activities.
Meets in person as well as using remote technology. The group is free of charge, but registration is required. Please call Cancer Connection at 413-586-1642 to register.
Rachel Kohler
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As a survivor in her young-adulthood, Rachel has experienced the challenges of living with a cancer diagnosis as well as the joys of finding healing in community. Rachel is excited to bring her years of experience in social-emotional wellness and program facilitation to Cancer Connection.
In her free time, Rachel enjoys cooking, aerial yoga, and spending time with her cats.
Living with Breast Cancer
Facilitated by Judy Swanson, LICSW, using remote technology
The Breast Cancer Support group has two groups: 1 meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month & and the new group meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday’s of the Month - both groups meet from 5:30 pm to 7pm
A twice monthly group for women living with breast cancer.
Currently meeting using remote technology. The group is free of charge, but registration is required. Please call Cancer Connection at 413-586-1642 to register.
Judy Swanson, LICSW
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Judy is a clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience in outpatient mental health helping people with a wide variety of issues. She is honored to have the opportunity to facilitate the breast cancer support group the past few years and helping survivors cope with the challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Judy is originally from Michigan where she graduated with an MSW degree from Michigan State University.
Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Facilitated by Vivien Weiss, LMHC, using remote technology
Meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month from 2:30 pm to 4 pm
A monthly support group for women living with metastatic breast cancer.
Currently meeting using remote technology. The group is free of charge, but registration is required. Please call Cancer Connection at 413-586-1642 to register.
Vivien Weiss, LMHC
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Vivien Weiss is a psychotherapist who has been in private practice for more than 30 years. In addition to having a general practice treating individuals, couples and families, she offers an area of specialty working with survivors of long term, life threatening illnesses, primarily cancer. In supporting these individuals, she offers help to their family members, recognizing the impact of illness on an entire family system. At Cancer Connection, she facilitates the gynecological cancer group, the caregiver and families support group, the spousal bereavement group and the metastatic breast cancer group. In addition, she is providing supervision to the Cancer Connection staff. Vivien has been providing services to the Cancer Connection community since September, 2001 and has facilitated workshops there as well.
All Cancer Group with Carol Rinehart
Facilitated by Carol Rinehart, using remote technology
Meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the Month- 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
A twice monthly support group for individuals living with any type of cancer.
Currently meets in person as well as using remote technology. The group is free of charge, but registration is required. Please call Cancer Connection at 413-586-1642 to register.
Carol Rinehart
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Carol has been a facilitator with the Cancer Connection since 2017. As an ordained interfaith minister, Carol has spent the past fifteen years in various roles with a hospice team, including hospice volunteer training, matching volunteers with the needs of patients and families, facilitating bereavement support groups and providing spiritual counseling. Her prior career in the Greater Boston area over three decades was dedicated to working with groups in organizations to create and sustain just, equitable, and fulfilling work environments. She has walked the cancer journey with countless numbers of her family and close friends, as well as professionally.
All Cancer Group with Deborah Burkhalter
Facilitated by Deborah Burkhalter, LICSW, using remote technology
Meets every Tuesday - 7:15 pm to 9:00 pm
A weekly support group for individuals living with any type of cancer.
Currently meeting using remote technology. The group is free of charge, but registration is required. Please call Cancer Connection at 413-586-1642 to register.
Deborah Burkhalter, LICSW
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I’m a licensed independent clinical social worker who has worked in cancer care, hospice, and with issues of grief/loss and end of life care for 35 years as a social worker, private practice psychotherapist, consultant/trainer, and group facilitator. I share a passion with Cancer Connection’s vision and creativity in providing cancer care services to our community and have facilitated the All Cancer Support Group in Northampton since 2003.
Men Living with Cancer
Facilitated by Rob Zucker, MA, FT,
Hybrid: in person at the Cancer Connection Center and via remote technology
Meets every Wednesday - 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
A weekly group for men living with cancer.
Currently meets in person as well as using remote technology. The group is free of charge, but registration is required. Please call Cancer Connection at 413-586-1642 to register.
Rob Zucker, MA, FT
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I was first introduced to Cancer Connection when my wife was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer six years ago. The loving care she and I received carried us both during a terribly hard time. While my wife didn’t survive her illness, the support she received at Cancer Connection greatly improved her quality of life, and for this I will always be grateful.
I’ve been a bereavement counselor and educator for about forty years now, and I’ve maintained a private counseling practice throughout most of my career. I’ve facilitated numerous support groups, workshops and retreats for adults, children, and families across the country, and led hundreds of professional seminars on loss and grief throughout the US, as well as in the UK and Canada. I wrote The Journey Through Grief and Loss: Helping Yourself and Your Child When Grief Is Shared (St. Martin’s Press), as well as fifteen Abbey Press Care Notes that address a range of challenges associated with loss.
One of the highlights of my long career is having led a men’s support group while employed at Hospice of the South Shore. That experience reaffirmed my belief that many men are eager to share deeply with one another, and that we benefit greatly from belonging to a brotherhood of support. I’m honored to have been asked to facilitate Cancer Connection’s Men’s Group.
After Treatment Self-Care Skills and Support
Facilitated by Linda Tumbarello, LMHC, using remote technology
Meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month - 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
This group provides guidance to help you kindly reconnect and care for yourself after treatment ends. Each meeting includes relaxation exercises to regain comfort and ease in your body, time to share mutual support and helpful resources, and other practical tools for creating well-being and vitality. The 30-minute guided relaxation and visualization includes breathing, self massage, seated movement, or encouraging self-talk that is designed for the needs of the participants each week. Enjoy the support of other group members to help you remove obstacles that get in the way of caring for yourself and create wellbeing each day.
Currently meets in person as well as using remote technology. The group is free of charge, but registration is required. Please call Cancer Connection at 413-586-1642 to register.
Linda Tumbarello, LMHC
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Linda is a highly experienced, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Body-Mind Centering Practitioner and Teacher. She leads workshops, and has a private practice in Northampton where she specializes in healing from physical and emotional issues and trauma. She has brought her skills from over 35 years as a Psychotherapist and Body-Work Practitioner to facilitate the Self-Care Support and Skills group since 2014. Linda is the author of The Heart of Self-Care: A Woman’s Guide to Joyful Living and Well-Being.
Her approach to self-care is body-centered, mindful and, genuinely empowering. She has been a faculty member of the School for Body-Mind Centering Practitioner Training program, and the Dynamic Embodiment Training program for over 30 years. Linda is so grateful for the support that her husband received as a participant in the men’s support group after his cancer diagnosis and is proud to be part of such a wonderful organization as cancer connection.
Caregivers and Families
Facilitated by Vivien Weiss, LMHC, using remote technology
Meets twice a month - 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
A twice monthly support group for family members and caregivers of someone living with cancer.
Currently meeting using remote technology. The group is free of charge, but registration is required. Please call Cancer Connection at 413-586-1642 to register.
Vivien Weiss, LMHC
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Vivien Weiss is a psychotherapist who has been in private practice for more than 30 years. In addition to having a general practice treating individuals, couples and families, she offers an area of specialty working with survivors of long term, life threatening illnesses, primarily cancer. In supporting these individuals, she offers help to their family members, recognizing the impact of illness on an entire family system. At Cancer Connection, she facilitates the gynecological cancer group, the caregiver and families support group, the spousal bereavement group and the metastatic breast cancer group. In addition, she is providing supervision to the Cancer Connection staff. Vivien has been providing services to the Cancer Connection community since September, 2001 and has facilitated workshops there as well.
Ovarian and Gynecological Cancers
Facilitated by Vivien Weiss, LMHC, using remote technology
Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the Month - 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
A support group for women living with ovarian and gynecological cancers.
Currently meeting using remote technology. The group is free of charge, but registration is required. Please call Cancer Connection at 413-586-1642 to register.
Vivien Weiss, LMHC
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Vivien Weiss is a psychotherapist who has been in private practice for more than 30 years. In addition to having a general practice treating individuals, couples and families, she offers an area of specialty working with survivors of long term, life threatening illnesses, primarily cancer. In supporting these individuals, she offers help to their family members, recognizing the impact of illness on an entire family system. At Cancer Connection, she facilitates the gynecological cancer group, the caregiver and families support group, the spousal bereavement group and the metastatic breast cancer group. In addition, she is providing supervision to the Cancer Connection staff. Vivien has been providing services to the Cancer Connection community since September, 2001 and has facilitated workshops there as well.
Learn more about our other services
Befrienders
Befrienders are trained staff and volunteers who listen and support both those who have been diagnosed and caregivers through challenging times.
Integrative Therapies
We offer therapies that treat the symptoms of cancer and offer stress relief and comfort to those living with a diagnoses as well as their caregivers.
Programs
We’ve recently added new programs, including opportunities for Cancer Connection participants to enjoy programs through All Out Adventures.