SHAREing & CAREing is so pleased to welcome a returning staff member back to our team! Merryl Reichbach, LCSW, ACE, MA, has over 20 years of experience helping others as a therapist, teacher, and program director. With her diverse professional background, personal history with our organization, and an incredible passion for survivor, patient, and family care, all of us here at SHAREing & CAREing are very excited for the programming and support she will be able to provide in her role as Program Manager.

Learn a little more about Merryl, in her own words:

I take a holistic point of view, integrating my expertise as a licensed clinical social worker, art therapist, certified holistic health coach, writer and personal trainer to provide support to my clients. This eclectic approach has had wonderful results for individuals and groups, couples and families.

I am so happy to be back at SHAREing & CAREing. During my time away, I have counseled people of all ages and walks of life and provided wellness workshops throughout NYC. I have also written several articles at the popular wellness site Gaia.com on health and wellness which you can read here.

As a result, I have become more knowledgeable about the impact that cancer and long-term illnesses can have on individuals and communities. Taking even small steps toward fostering self-nurturance–whether it’s eating less sugar, stretching 5 mins each day or spending more time with people you love–can be so valuable in developing physical and emotional wellbeing and self-esteem.

I am eager to develop and sustain thriving programs at SHAREing & CAREing which meet the needs of longstanding members, individuals who have been newly diagnosed and in active treatment, as well as families and friends. Free support that is immediate available includes 1:1 counseling sessions over the phone or in person, group counseling, outreach programs and health education programs for high schools students and staff.

Over the next three months, we will continue our Wednesday afternoon Founding Survivors Support Group at the office at 1pm every second Wednesday of the month. The next three will be offered on February 10, March 9, and April 13, all at 1pm.

We are also offering wellness workshops on a variety of topics members have indicated interest in. The first will be held on Wednesday, January 27 at 1pm and will focus on Coping and Thriving in the Heart of Winter. This group, as with all our wellness groups, is free and open to everyone, regardless of health status or physical condition. Preregistration is recommended by phone or email.

Upcoming workshops will focus on a variety of topics, including creative arts and writing, nutrition and exercise, and coping with fears of cancer recurrence, as well as survivorship across the lifespan. We are also launching a support group for women actively in treatment with cancer, and have a series of workshops planned addressing end-of-life issues to be offered by speakers from End of Life Choices New York.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at merrylr@shareing-careing.org or by phone at 718-777-5766 with your questions and concerns, as well as ideas for programs.