Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW has worked in oncology and hospice-care settings since 1995 in both direct clinical practice and senior leadership roles. In addition to her board certification in Oncology Social Work (OSW-C), Kerry was designated as an AOSW Fellow (FAOSW), a credential designated to “recognize and honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the science and practice of psychosocial oncology.”  

In addition to her training and experience in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy, Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Contemplative Psychotherapy, Kerry is also an ordained interfaith minister, graduating from One Spirit Interfaith Seminary in NYC in 2015. 

Kerry has published multiple articles and presented both regionally and nationally on a wide variety of topics related to psychosocial oncology, with a special interest in patients living with advanced cancer.  

Kerry has been an active member of the Association of Oncology Social Work since 2002, serving three terms on AOSW’s Board of Directors: Education Director (2023), Membership Director (2018-21) and Director-At-Large (2008-11). She also served as the Maine state representative for a number of years, and created and led the state’s Psychosocial Oncology Networking Group (PONG) from 2013-19, a group that continues to flourish today under the leadership of CCC co-owner Kailie Sullivan.  In 2016, Kerry was awarded the American Cancer Society’s national Quality of Life award, given to “honor individuals who have innovatively contributed to the quality of life of those living with cancer through their publications, presentations, and direct service; reflecting a commitment to quality of life for all cancer survivors.”  Kerry also received AOSW’s “Volunteer of the Year” award in 2021 for creating a collegial comfort program designed to provide new professional resources and support for oncology social workers to help alleviate the additional professional and personal stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kerry is also currently an active member of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS). 

In her private practice, Kerry provides outpatient therapy for adults with particular focus on supporting those managing the impact of cancer and other serious illnesses, grief and loss. She provides clinical consultation and mentoring to other therapists in these areas of clinical expertise.

Areas of Expertise:

• Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy
• Mindfulness-Based Interventions
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Expressive Arts Interventions
• Grief Counseling
• Contemplative Psychotherapy

Professional Activities:

2002-present :   The Association of Oncology Social Work: 

• Board of Directors: Education Director (2023); Membership Director 2018-21; Director at Large 2008-11
• Developed AOSW’s Collegial Comfort Program and served as 2021 Coordinator for same. 
• Served as Chair of the 2012 national Conference Committee, Co-Chair of the 2023 national conference committee, and as a member of the 2007, 2022, and 2024 Conference Planning Committees 
• Served on Awards committee, 2005, 2015-17
• Served on Nominations Committee, 2019. 
• Volunteer content editor for the AOSW News, the organization’s membership newsletter, reaching over 1,000 members, 2005-07. 
• Attended multiple national AOSW conferences & presented at the 2005, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2023 conferences.  
• Active member of the Spirituality Special Interest Group (SIG)
• Regular contributor to AOSW’s “Clinical Tip Drops”, offered to 1000+ members on a biweekly basis by the Spirituality SIG

2016-2019 Triage Cancer: member of the Triage Cancer Professional Speaker’s Bureau.

2013-present Psychosocial Oncology Networking Group (PONG), Maine: 2013-19: Created & coordinated a networking/professional development group for psychosocial oncology professionals in Maine, facilitating quarterly meetings and managing communications. 2023-presented: Active member of group

2005 Northern New England Oncology Social Work Group:  co-chaired the Northern New England Regional Professional Psychosocial Oncology Conference, “The Patchwork Quilt of Psychosocial Oncology”, 9/30/05 at Sunday River Inn and Conference Center, Bethel, ME.

2000-2009 The American Cancer Society, ME Chapter:  active volunteer and CMCCC liaison, serving on the annual statewide “Living With Cancer Conference” workshop planning committee (2000-2008, *chaired committee 2008); presented at same conference multiple years; serving on the statewide Cancer Control Advisory Task Force and the Patient Support Services subcommittee; trained facilitator for “I CAN COPE”.  

Awards & Recognition: 

2021: AOSW FELLOW (FAOSW)
2021: AOSW Volunteer of the Year
2016: ACS Quality of Life in Cancer Care Award

Professional Publications & Presentations*:

• Otis-Green S, Mattison, D, Irish, K, Capparella, L: The Essential Role of Social Work in Palliative Caring. Chapter 32, Spiritual Care in Palliative Care (pending publication, likely 2024). Springer Press. 
• 2023 Invited guest lecturer for social work month celebration: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: NY, NY: “Grit, Gratitude & Growth in Psychosocial Oncology”
• 2023 Invited guest lecturer for the Michael Hubner lecture: Dana Farber Cancer Institute: Boston, MA: “Grit, Gratitude & Growth in Psychosocial Oncology”
• Leblanc MR, LeBlanc T, Qing Y, McLaughlin J, Smith, S, Irish K: A mobile app to support self-management in patients with multiple myeloma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A pilot randomized controlled trial. JMIR Cancer, 9(1), 2023. 
• Mattison, D & Irish, K: “Forgiveness: Exploring Its Power and Complexities.” (90 minute presentation & published abstract). Thirty-ninth Annual Conference, Association of Oncology Social Work, 2023. 
•  Irish, K: “’Dear Deborah’: Gratitude letters are a beneficial intervention for cancer patients…and a great practice for Oncology Social Workers”. Association of Oncology Social Work, AOSW Connections, Vol. 3 (1), March 2023.
• Irish, K: “What do Rob Base, DJ EZ Rock and Thich Nhat Hanh have in common? (And how does this apply to our work with cancer patients?!?)”. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology DOI: 10.1080/07347332.2022.2125357. 2022.
• Irish, K: Self Care Practice Wisdom.  Oxford Textbook of Palliative Social Work, Second Edition. 2022. Oxford University Press: New York, NY.
• Irish, K & Sullivan, K: “Many Thanks: Gratitude’s role in alleviating existential distress related to cancer.” (3 hour clinical practice intensive presentation and published abstract). Thirty-eighth Annual Conference, Association of Oncology Social Work, 2022. 
• Irish, K & Mattison, D: “Exploring Spirituality: The Oncology Social Worker’s Role in Biopsychosocial Spiritual Assessments and Interventions.” (60 minute presentation & published abstract).  Thirty-fourth Annual Conference, Association of Oncology Social Work, 2018  
• Irish, K: When Cancer Comes Calling: Gratitude as a Source of Meaning, Hope, and Strength. Coping with Cancer, Vol. 31 (3), May/June 2017.
• Irish, K: Ethical Wills: Helping Our Clients Create a Work of Legacy. Association of Oncology Social Work, AOSW Navigator, Vol. 3 (1), April 2017.
• Irish, K: “Finding Safe Harbor Within.”  (Invited presentation: ACS Quality of Life Award Lecture, and published abstract). Thirty-second Annual Conference, Association of Oncology Social Work, 2016 
• Irish, K: “When Time is Precious: Helping Clients Find Meaning and Hope When Cancer Is Advanced.”  (90 minute presentation & published abstract) Thirty-first Annual Conference, Association of Oncology Social Work, 2015
• Sachs, S, & Irish, K..: Oncology Social Workers at the Forefront: Creating and Leading Innovative Cancer Support Programs. Handbook of Oncology Social Work, second edition.  2014.  Oxford University Press: New York, New York.  
• Irish, K. & Sachs, S.: “Diving Into Deeper Waters:  The Oncology Social Worker’s Role in Creating and Leading Innovative Cancer Support Programs.”  (90 minute presentation & published abstract).  Twenty-ninth Annual Conference, Association of Oncology Social Work, 2013 
• Irish, K & Sachs, S: “Oncology Social Workers at the Forefront:  Creating and Leading Innovative Cancer Support Programs.”  (90 minute presentation & published abstract), Twenty-sixth Annual Conference, Association of Oncology Social Work, 2010 (invited presentation)  
• Irish, K. (editor and lead copywriter) The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing Quarterly Newsletter and Calendar of Events, 2008-fall 2010 
• Irish, K & Molloy, R.:  Giving Back: The Creation of The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center, Oncology Issues, Nov/Dec 2008.
• Irish, K; Hochberg, I; & Schapmire, T:  “An Oncology Social Work Practice Course for Master’s Students: An International Effort.”  (Poster presentation & published abstract), Twenty-fourth Annual Conference, Association of Oncology Social Work, 2008   
• Irish, K, & Sharcot, S: “Birthing a New Oncology Social Worker.” (60 minute presentation & published abstract)  Twenty-first Annual Conference, Association of Oncology Social Work, 2005 
• Irish, K:  Sharing the Blessings: Field Instruction in Oncology Social Work, Association of Oncology Social Work, AOSW News, Volume 19 (4), 2004.

*Not included in this listing are presentations & workshops created & delivered for the public and/or those impacted by cancer, such as at National Cancer Survivors’ Day events or for cancer support organizations.  Please see Kerry’s speaker’s bureau profile FMI.