Integrative Therapies
Integrative therapies are good for body and soul. We offer these therapies with the knowledge that they can help relieve some of the side effects of surgery, radiation, and other treatments as well as symptoms of the cancer itself, including fatigue, nausea, pain, and anxiety. They also provide stress relief and comfort to caregivers coping with a loved one’s cancer.
Cancer Connection offers integrative therapies free of charge for people living with a cancer diagnosis. We prioritize our services to people in treatment but, when possible, offer it to caregivers as well.
Individual sessions by appointment.
Please call (413) 586-1642 to schedule.
Cancer Connection offers massage, reiki, and acupuncture, as well as Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster™ and individual guided imagery and relaxation support.
Monthly Reiki Night:
Next Session: Tuesday, November 10th
Join us for a peaceful evening of Reiki in a welcoming group setting. Reiki is a gentle, complementary practice that many people find supportive for relaxation, stress reduction, and an overall sense of well-being.
Each 30-minute session takes place on an individual Reiki table, with two certified volunteer Reiki practitioners offering Reiki to each participant. Soft lighting and gentle music—sometimes performed live—help create a calm, restorative atmosphere.
No advance registration is needed—walk-ins are warmly welcome. Participants are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Caregivers are also invited to take part in Monthly Reiki Night.
When: Every second Tuesday of the month, except January and August
Sessions: Begin at 6:00 p.m., with the final session from 7:30–8:00 p.m.
Doors open: 5:50 p.m.
Where:
The State Room
35 State Street, Northampton
The entrance is located on the side street to the left of the building.
Parking: Street and metered parking are available, as well as the Northampton parking garage. The small parking lot near the State Room entrance is reserved for private tenant use, please do not park there.
For Your Comfort:
Because shoes are left at the entrance to the State Room, you may want to bring socks or slippers. You’re also welcome to bring a throw or small blanket if you tend to get chilly during Reiki.
Reiki tables are spaced comfortably throughout the room. Staff will wear masks. To help us care for the space, please bring beverages only in closed containers and do not bring food.
We hope you’ll join us for an evening of rest, connection, and renewal.
Acupuncture
With Emily Baron in the Northampton Center
By Appointment Only | Call to register – (413) 586-1642
A safe and painless form of traditional Chinese medicine that is effective in treating chronic pain and some side effects associated with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery including peripheral neuropathy, nausea and vomiting, postoperative pain, lack of appetite, dry mouth, and chronic fatigue. Acupuncture can also be helpful in relieving stress, depression, and anxiety for people with cancer.
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Cancer can be one of the most physically, spiritually, and emotionally challenging experiences of our lives. It is also an incredibly powerful catalyst for growth. My own cancer was life-altering and is what led me to become a practitioner of Chinese medicine. I love that Chinese medicine not only contains the efficacy to alleviate symptoms, but it also embodies the emotional and spiritual aspects of healing that are especially present when we are faced with our mortality.
I have been providing acupuncture at the Cancer Connection since 2023. I also have a private practice in Shelburne Falls, MA. After growing Chinese herbs on my farm in Napa, California, I studied Chinese medicine in Oakland, California at The Academy For Chinese Culture And Health Sciences. Chinese medicine is based on observations of nature and treats health as an ecosystem where balance is the goal. Nature is my greatest and constant teacher; my garden is often where I find solutions to complex health issues.
I am so grateful for all of the kindness and care I received during my own cancer, and it is the honor of my life to be able to offer support to you wherever you are in your journey.
Reiki
With Nancy Carter Price in Northampton
By Appointment Only | Call to register – (413) 586-1642
Reiki is a light-touch, energy-based therapy with a wide range of physical and emotional benefits, including better sleep, improved mood, and pain relief. Reiki helps the body enter a state of relaxation, which allows it to better heal from damage brought on by stress, injury, or disease. It is a non-invasive, gentle, and supportive complementary healing modality.
Nancy Carter Price
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Nancy Carter-Price is honored to be part of Cancer Connection’s integrative therapy team since 2002. She began as one of eight monthly Reiki Team members that year and became co-facilitator of the Reiki Team shortly after joining the team. Nancy has been providing individual Reiki sessions both in our center in Northampton in addition to sessions in South Hadley for over 15 years.
Nancy received her Usui/Tibetan Reiki Master /Teacher training in 1998 and Karuna Reiki Master/Teacher in 1999. She also has Advanced Integrative Energy Therapy (I.E.T.) Training and utilizes several other modalities to meet the various needs of participants seeking support. Nancy Carter-Price is owner and operator of Journey to Wellness, located in Northampton, MA. For more information about Nancy you are invited to go to www.journeytowellness.be
Reiki
With Harmony Heidi Kuhl in the Springfield Center
By Appointment Only | Call to register – (413) 586-1642
Reiki is a light-touch, energy-based therapy with a wide range of physical and emotional benefits, including better sleep, improved mood, and pain relief. Reiki helps the body enter a state of relaxation, which allows it to better heal from damage brought on by stress, injury, or disease. It is a non-invasive, gentle, and supportive complementary healing modality.
Harmony Heidi Kuhl
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Harmony has been a Reiki Master Practitioner since 2014. She is also a Peer Counselor, Support Group Facilitator, Mental Health Advocate & Educator with 35+ years of professional work experience. Her work is LGBTQIA+ affirming, trauma informed and suitable for anyone willing to try a session! In addition to her interest in supporting people experiencing cancer, Harmony is also trained in end-of-life care. Harmony currently sees clients at the Springfield Cancer Connection office, and in home settings in the Northampton, MA area. She can be contacted at harmonygraced@gmail.com or via her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NorthamptonReiki/
Oncology Massage
With Jennifer Meltzer & Jennifer Green in Northampton & Springfield
By Appointment Only | Call to register – (413) 586-1642
For those with cancer, oncology specialized massage treatments help them manage their experience with cancer during active treatment and recovery. Benefits include improved sleep and immune function as well as helping to ease nerve pain, fatigue, swelling, muscle tension and nausea. It can also improve emotional well-being and quality of life by reducing stress and anxiety and promoting relaxation.
Jennifer Green
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Jennifer has over 20 years experience as a licensed massage therapist and has pursued advanced training in Oncology Massage, Hospice Massage, Gentle Scar Tissue Mobilization, Traumatic Scar Tissue Management and Manual Lymph Drainage. She is a member of Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals and is a preferred practitioner with the Society for Oncology Massage.
Her work integrates a variety of techniques and is informed by her background in modern and improvisational dance.
In addition to her work with the Cancer Connection, Jen offers treatments at the Healing Zone in Hadley, MA.
Jennifer Meltzer
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Jennifer joins the Cancer Connection after 15 years as an Oncology Massage Therapist with The D’Amour Center for Cancer Care at Baystate Health in Springfield. She has been a Massage Therapist for 25 years having held private practices on both the East and West Coasts. She recently re-opened a studio in Downtown Northampton and is enjoying being in Private Practice once again.
Finding Calm During Treatment:
Individual guided imagery and relaxation support
With Dr. David Gottsegen in our Northampton Center
By Appointment Only | Call to register – (413) 586-1642
Dr. David Gottsegen (“Dr. Dave”), a pediatrician with decades of experience in clinical hypnosis, offers individual in-person relaxation mental imagery sessions for people preparing for or undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, as well as those experiencing sleep difficulties related to cancer or treatment.
Similar to mindfulness meditation, this evidence-based approach may help reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and ease treatment-related side effects. Participants remain fully aware and in control throughout each session. Several sessions are typically recommended.
Dr David Gottsegen
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Dr. David Gottsegen (“Dr. Dave”) is a community pediatrician who spent most of his four-decade career at Holyoke Pediatric Associates. Throughout his practice, he helped children and adults use relaxation, guided imagery, and the mind-body connection to address anxiety, chronic pain, sleep difficulties, medical procedures, and other health concerns.
Dr. Gottsegen is certified in clinical hypnosis by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and the American Board of Medical Hypnosis, as well as in HeartMath biofeedback. He has taught locally, nationally, and internationally and is the author of Mending the Body with the Mind: Harnessing Kids’ Superpowers to Heal and Stay Healthy. Since retiring from pediatric practice in 2024, he has remained active as the Chicopee school physician, a community volunteer, and a writer.
Calming Strategies and Relaxation Recordings (“Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster”™)
with Ann Buscemi, CHT, using remote technology
By Appointment Only | Call to register – (413) 586-1642
Ann is certified in therapeutic hypnosis and emotional healing, and has earned the certification needed to offer "Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster"™ workshops. Her sessions focus on relaxation and visualization techniques, which impact all aspects of healing and self care. Whether you are facing surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, medical procedures or treatment transitions, these techniques make a profound difference. Ann prepares a guided visualization made especially for each participant. She can meet with participants by phone and send the recording by Dropbox, in an email, or as a CD by postal mail.
Ann Buscemi, CHT
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Ann Buscemi is certified in therapeutic hypnosis and emotional healing. Ann trained with Peggy Huddleston and is certified to present “Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster”™ workshops.
She provides Calming Strategies at Cancer Connection in addition to working with patients at Cooley Dickinson Hospital Women’s Health department. “A client’s time, words and thoughts are the palette that I use, to create the canvas, the recording, that becomes their guide for a calming, healing visualization. This is beneficial for surgery, chemo and radiation therapies. Simply stated, the stress of any diagnosis. Taking time to visualize one’s healing is a vital part of any treatment strategy.”
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.
Support Groups
Support groups offer a place where we can laugh, cry, celebrate, and use humor to find relief in the universality of our experiences.
Programs
We’ve recently added new programs, including opportunities for Cancer Connection participants to enjoy programs through All Out Adventures.