Young adulthood is a time of growth, change, and becoming. When cancer enters that season of life, it can shape the journey in unexpected ways. Alongside the resilience, creativity, and strength that many young adults carry, there is often grief that deserves space and care.
For young adults, grief can take many forms. It may be grief for bodies that feel different, timelines that shifted, relationships that changed, loved ones who have passed, or versions of ourselves and our lives that no longer exist in the same way. For many AYAs, this grief does not end when treatment ends. It continues to surface, shift, and evolve throughout survivorship.
In this April edition of The Inner Canvas, Carrying What Changed, we are highlighting AYA Cancer Awareness Month by intentionally making space for the grief that many AYAs carry. Led by a clinician, participants will explore grief through a series of guided creative coping practices designed specifically for young adults impacted by cancer. Using drawing/doodling, journaling, mindfulness, visualization, and art response, participants will gently engage with loss while identifying what helps them carry it day-to-day. This session offers structured creative activities alongside moments of reflection and connection with other YA’s, creating space for both expression and regulation.
No art experience is required! This is not about creating something polished or “good.” The focus is on expression, nervous system regulation, and meaning-making rather than aesthetics or outcomes. Participants are encouraged to engage at their own pace and share only what feels comfortable.
Participants will leave with multiple creative tools they can return to when grief feels heavy, complex, or difficult to put into words, along with a reminder that grief and resilience often exist side by side in survivorship.
Who: Young adult patients/survivors (ages 18 to 45) impacted by cancer
What: A 90-minute guided creative workshop led by Lauren Morales, LCSW
When: Every Third Wednesday of the month! April 15th, 2026 @ 3 pm- 4:30 pm PT/5 pm-6:30 pm CT/6 pm-7:30 pm ET
Where: Virtual on Zoom
💬 Please note: Inner Canvas workshops do not include mailed art supplies. You’ll need something to draw with and something to draw on to participate! Inner Canvas workshops are not group therapy. Groups offer a safe, clinician-led community group space, where sharing is always optional.