Protecting Your Center
Nedra Glover Tawwab, MSW, LCSW
Licensed therapist, social worker, and the go-to voice on boundaries. Books, a podcast, free worksheets, and more at her website.
Visit nedratawwab.com
The Difficult Terrain
Finding a Therapist
Psychology Today
The largest therapist directory, searchable by location, insurance, and specialty including grief and cancer.
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Open Path Collective
Therapists offering reduced-fee sessions.
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Inclusive Therapists
Helps locate culturally responsive, identity-affirming care.
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Oncology-Specific Support
Association of Oncology Social Work
Oncology social workers trained specifically in cancer-related care.
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American Psychosocial Oncology Society
A helpline connecting patients and survivors to local counseling and psychosocial support.
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Cancer Support and Community
Cancer Support Community / Gilda's Club
Nationwide locations and a helpline offering free support, groups, and education.
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CancerCare
Free professional counseling and support groups led by oncology social workers.
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Imerman Angels
One-on-one peer support matching you with someone who has faced the same diagnosis.
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The Breasties
An all-inclusive community for those impacted by breast and gynecologic cancers.
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Crisis Support
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 anytime for free, confidential support.
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Young Adult
Stupid Cancer
Community, events, and resources for the young adult cancer population.
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Cactus Cancer Society
Online support and creative programs for young adults affected by cancer.
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Metastatic and Terminal
METAvivor
Community, support, and research advocacy for the metastatic breast cancer population.
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Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Support and education across all stages, including metastatic.
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Identity-Specific
Therapy for Black Girls
Directory of therapists centering the mental health of Black women and girls.
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Therapy for Latinx
Directory connecting the Latinx community to culturally responsive therapists.
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National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
Directory of QTBIPOC therapists and reduced-cost options.
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Your Body, Reclaimed
Adventure and Outdoor Challenges
Camp Koru (Project Koru)
A free outdoor adventure and wellness program for young adult cancer survivors ages 19–39. Participants learn a new sport, connect with fellow survivors, and have access to licensed therapists and mindfulness instructors. Run by survivors for survivors.
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First Descents
Free camps across the US lasting two days to one week, helping young adult survivors conquer outdoor challenges including surfing, snowboarding, and canoeing.
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Epic Experience
A free outdoor adventure week for adult cancer survivors including skiing, paddling, and other physical challenges in the mountains.
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Move Beyond Surviving
Outdoor adventures specifically for breast cancer survivors focused on reconnecting with the body through backpacking and nature challenges.
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The Susan G. Komen 3-Day
A 60-mile walk for breast cancer held in cities across the country every year. Registration and fundraising required.
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Fitness Programs
Livestrong at the YMCA
A free or low-cost 12-week physical activity program at YMCA locations nationwide, led by instructors trained in cancer survivorship.
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CancerFit
The Livestrong virtual option for those not near a YMCA. Both Livestrong at the YMCA and CancerFit instructors are trained to modify exercises for lymphedema, neuropathy, limited range of motion, and fatigue.
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Survivor Fitness
One-on-one personal training, nutritional coaching, and mental health support at no cost to cancer survivors, with virtual options available.
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Seated Movement and Strength
Yoga with Adriene
Widely accessible yoga channel with specific chair and wheelchair options.
Watch on YouTube
Be Well Therapy
A nonprofit offering yoga classes specifically for cancer patients and survivors with certified instructors.
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Cancer Support Community: Chair Yoga
A guided chair yoga video specifically designed for cancer survivors and caregivers, with each pose presented with optional levels of difficulty so participants can adapt to their personal needs.
Watch on YouTube
Yoga Vista
Chair yoga, yoga dance, and therapeutic movement specifically designed for aging bodies and limited mobility.
Watch on YouTube
Adaptive Sports and Physical Programs
Amputee Coalition
Maintains a list of adaptive sports programs including the US Paralympics, which offers archery, basketball, cycling, rowing, swimming, tennis, track and field, skiing, and many others for individuals with limb loss.
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Move United
Dedicated to ensuring every person, regardless of ability, has an equal opportunity to participate in sports and recreation in their community.
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Spaulding Adaptive Sports Program
Helps survivors with functional loss discover activities that challenge the body in a healthy and inclusive community.
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How to Keep Going
Neurons Connecting in the Brain
A short video visualization of neurons forming new connections. A reminder that learning, healing, and building new patterns is not just possible. It is literally happening in your brain.
Watch on YouTube
Forest: Focus for Productivity
A favorite app for reducing screen time. Set a timer that plants a tree. When you pick up your phone out of habit it reminds you that you have a tree growing, and if you use your phone anyway your tree dies. At the end of the day, month, or year you can view your forest. The dead trees stay there too, which is surprisingly motivating. If trees and nature aren't your thing, there are plenty of other focus apps worth exploring.
App Store
Google Play
The Ultimate Transition
Advance Directives
CaringInfo
Provides free advance directives and instructions for each state.
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Books
Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying
Ram Dass & Mirabai Bush
Being Mortal
Atul Gawande
With the End in Mind
Kathryn Mannix
Die Wise
Stephen Jenkinson
Booklets
Barbara Karnes, RN
Affordable, accessible booklets on every aspect of end of life including Gone From My Sight, A Time to Live, and The Eleventh Hour. Coloring book for children also available.
Visit bkbooks.com
Podcasts
Death, Sex & Money
Hosted by Anna Sale. Explores the big questions often left out of polite conversation. Active and publishing weekly.
Grief is a Sneaky Bitch
Hosted by Lisa Keefauver, MSW, a social worker and cancer survivor on a mission to reimagine grief one conversation at a time. Active and publishing biweekly.
Dying for Sex
A completed series hosted by Molly Kochan, documenting her terminal cancer diagnosis with honesty and humor. Podcast of the Year 2021. Adapted into a TV series in 2025.
Documentaries
Being Mortal (PBS Frontline)
A documentary exploring how medicine can better serve people at the end of life.
Watch on PBS
End Game (Netflix)
A short documentary following terminally ill patients and the doctors and advocates who care for them.
Watch on Netflix
Community
Death Cafe
Community gatherings to talk about death over coffee. No agenda, no religion, no charge. Find a local or online gathering at deathcafe.com.
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End-of-Life Support
International End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA)
Find a trained end-of-life doula near you at inelda.org.
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Death with Dignity
Compassion & Choices
The oldest and largest organization working to expand end-of-life options and improve care, including access to medical aid in dying. Offers free end-of-life planning resources and support.
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Death With Dignity National Organization
A national leader in end-of-life advocacy and policy reform.
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Triage Cancer
A national nonprofit providing free education to people diagnosed with cancer, caregivers, and health care professionals on cancer-related legal and practical issues.
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