Support Groups
Ann’s Place support groups provide a safe, confidential place for those affected by cancer to learn from others about the impact of different treatments, share their personal experiences and concerns, and be a support to each other. Experienced professionals facilitate these groups which meet once or twice a month, some daytime and some evening, here at Ann’s Place. We have groups for those with cancer as well as for family members and caregivers. Please refer to our Client Calendar of Services for the updated monthly schedule.
Our Support Groups:
Above the Shoulders- Facilitator: Cynthia Long, MA, Description: An educational and support group for those experiencing head and neck cancers.
Art Therapy - Facilitator: Debbie Mendez, ATR-P, LPC-A Description: A support group for friends and family of those living with cancer at the Leever Cancer Center.
Blood Cancers Support Group- Facilitator: Debbie Mendez, ATR-P, LPC-A Description: A support group for individuals with blood cancer: leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s and Myeloma. Open to anyone from newly diagnosed to post-treatment.
Caring - Facilitator: Katherine Maloney, LCSW Description: A support group for friends and family of those living with cancer.
Daytime - Facilitator: Shelly Fisher MS Description: A support group for individuals surviving all types of cancers.
Grief Yoga® Group - Facilitator: Alison DiPinto LPC, certified Grief Yoga® practitioner. Description: Grief Yoga® combines many forms of yoga, movement and breath techniques to help students process all types of grief and use it as fuel for transformational healing.
Grupo de Apoy para Hombres Enfrentado el Cancer Men’s All Cancer Support Group in Spanish - Facilitator: Description: Grupo de apoyo para hombres durante y después del diagnóstico de cáncer. En este Grupo los hombres encontraran apoyo, un lugar para expresar sus emociones y para fortalecerse mutuamente durante su proceso! Support group for men during and after cancer diagnosis. In this Group men will find support, a space to express their emotions and to strengthen each other during their process.
Holding Space for Grief- Facilitator: Jacqueline Ondrey M.Ed., MSW, LMSW Description: A bereavement support group for adults who have lost a loved one to cancer in the past 2 years.
In it Together- Facilitator: Karen Sherman, PsyD Description: This support group is for couples where one is experiencing cancer. Open to those newly diagnosed, in treatment or post-treatment. By providing support, open communication, and understanding of each other's needs, this journey allows you to adapt and strengthen your mutual connection.
In the Same Boat - Facilitator: Emiret Gonzalez MFT, Bi-Lingual Clinician Description: A couples support group in Spanish, where one of them is a cancer survivor or is still fighting cancer.
Este taller psicoeducativo está dirigido para Parejas- Matrimonios, donde uno de ellos es sobreviviente al cáncer o aún está luchando contra el cáncer. En el Mismo Barco es una serie de reuniones mensuales donde se promoverá la empatía, expresión de emociones, unidad, y apoyo mutuo de manera práctica.
Las parejas podrán compartir sus experiencias en el proceso, desarrollarán estrategias de afrontamiento al cáncer saludables, aprenderán técnicas para resolver problemas y un manejo adecuado de las crisis y sus emociones.
Living Well with Incurable Cancer - Facilitator: Pete Carney LCSW Description: A gathering to discuss how to live well with incurable or Stage 4 cancer.
Living with Faith - Facilitator: Rev. J Michael Cobb, Pastor, The United Methodist Church of Danbury Description: A place where we can share our story and struggles, comforting and encouraging one another from a faith-based perspective. For patients, caregivers, and all people affected by cancer to consider the sort of questions that are typically the domain of spirituality. This is not a group intended to replace professional or in-depth counseling, and it is not advocating for any particular church or religion. Instead, it is for people of any religious belief or no particular religious belief.
Living with Lung Cancer - Facilitator: Cynthia Long, MA, LMSW Description: A support group for adults diagnosed with Lung Cancer. Participants may join in-person at Ann’s Place or virtually via Zoom.
Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer- Facilitator: Kate Lieder, MA LMFT Description: A support group for women with metastatic breast cancer.
Meaning Centered Psychotherapy - Facilitator: Cynthia Long, MA, LMSW Description: Meaning-centered psychotherapy is a psychotherapeutic intervention to help people suffering with loss of meaning around illness. It is designed to help diminish feelings of despair that can be associated with cancer by helping you focus on the importance of creating, reconnecting with, experiencing, and sustaining meaning in the face of illness. This is a 7-week program offered periodically throughout the year. It is partially funded by a generous grant from the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging.
Men Together (Us Too Affiliate) - Facilitator: Len Sierra Description: A monthly support group for men facing Prostate cancer.
Mind, Body Medicine - Facilitator: Kate Lieder LMFT, MA Description: Mind, Body, Medicine focuses on the interactions between the mind and the body and the powerful ways in which you can participate in your own health and healing. This is an 8-week program offered periodically throughout the year. It is partially funded by a generous grant from the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging.
Motherless Daughters - Facilitator: Alison DiPinto LPC Description: A support group for women whose mothers have died.
Oasis - Facilitator: Emiret Gonzalez MFT, Bi-Lingual Clinician Emanuela Pamares Health Integrative Coach. Description: Spiritual Support Group for Cancer Patients and Their Families, Hybrid, virtual and in person at Ann’s Place. Grupo de Apoyo espiritual para pacientes con cáncer y sus familias, Hibrido, virtual y presencial en Ann’s Place.
Open Art Therapy Support Group: Debbie Mendez, ATR-P, LPC-A Description: Open to anyone in treatment for cancer, this support group will utilize the art making process helping to bring thoughts and emotions into the conscious mind. Modalities include but are not limited to painting, drawing, sculpting, mixed media, and more. Art therapy is beneficial for all ages and does not require any previous art experience. We hope you can join us for support and to connect with others with a shared cancer experience
Postgraduates - Facilitator: Geri Hutchins Description: For long term survivors of all types of cancers (5 years post treatment).
Resilientes: Emiret Gonzalez MFT Description: This Group promotes a trusted space where participants learn to develop mental-emotional strength above pain or fear during or after cancer diagnosis.
Group members accompany, rebuild, and strengthen each other through their own experiences, validate their emotions, and create an environment of solidarity and mutual support. “We are stronger than we think”
Este Grupo promueve un espacio confiable donde los participantes aprenden a desarrollar fortaleza mental-emocional por encima del dolor o temor durante o después del diagnóstico de cáncer.
Los miembros del grupo se acompañan, reconstruyen y fortalecen mutuamente a través de sus propias experiencias, validan sus emociones, además de que crean un ambiente de solidaridad y apoyo mutuo., “somos más fuerte de los que pensamos”
Stronger Together - Facilitator: Inge Johannssen-Schultz, MA, RN Description: This support group, open to any adult with Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer, is designed to provide ongoing support, community, information and encouragement to you on your cancer journey.
Transitions - Facilitator: Alison DiPinto LPC Description: Bereavement support for individuals who have lost a loved one to cancer.
Women Only - Facilitator: Courtney O’Brien-Ernest, PsyD Description: A monthly group for women diagnosed with/surviving gynecological cancers.
Women Together - Facilitator: Jacqueline Ondrey M.Ed., MSW, LMSW Description: A support group for women who have a breast cancer diagnosis, from those who are newly diagnosed, to those who are post treatment.
Women Together Graduates- Facilitator: Helen Tomasko LPC, MS Description: For women with a breast cancer diagnosis, who are post-active treatment.
Young Adults - Facilitator: Cynthia Long, MA, LMSW Description: A monthly discussion group for young adults (ages18-40) facing cancer.
Other Groups
The Comfort Zone - Facilitator: Geri Hutchins Description: A save place where we can gather together to share conversation and just be. Join peers on your cancer journey to sip tea or coffee, relax, share experiences and gather support. Open to all clients of Ann’s Place including caregivers, loved ones and the bereaved.
Connections - Facilitators: Alison DiPinto LPC, Emiret Gonzalez MS MFT, Cynthia Long, MA, LMSW, Debbie Mendez ATR-P, LPC-A , Jacqueline Ondrey LMSW, Martha Shilstone LCSW. Description: A weekly support group, offered to all new Ann’s Place clients during the first 6-weeks following intake. Connections is an open group, offering new AP clients the opportunity to share about the challenges to their cancer journey, while making connections with peers who have a similar journey.
