What We Do

The Charlotte Maxwell Clinic is a free women’s clinic that specializes in offering life-enhancing complementary therapies for low-income, underserved, and immigrant San Francisco Bay Area women with cancer. Located in Oakland, California, our services are provided by a dedicated pool of volunteers who are licensed and certified practitioners of holistic modalities.

“[Integrative care] is a type of medicine that a lot of people can’t access because it’s not affordable and we haven’t figured out, as a society, how to make this broadly accessible. But Charlotte Maxwell has figured that out.”

—India Harville, CMC Bodyworker

Our Services

Our services are designed to work alongside those of an oncologist and primary care physician. Care is provided one-on-one in private treatment rooms or as a group. Individual consultations and group offerings are also delivered via telehealth. For details, see our brochure of services.

Acupuncture

Research shows that, during chemotherapy, acupuncture may strengthen the immune system and reduce the side effects of nausea and pain.

Massage & Bodywork

These therapies gently stimulate the immune system, improve energy levels, promote relaxation, and help increase blood circulation.

Energy Work

Energy therapy is used to help people relax, feel less anxious, and improve healing and well-being.

Movement Therapy

Movement therapy enhances CMC clients’ cognitive, physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Regular movement can help with an illness or emotional challenges.

Nutrition Education

CMC’s nutrition education classes emphasize “eating the rainbow.” At cooking classes, clients learn about food preparation and menu planning.

Herbs

Chinese and Western herbs are used along with diet, exercise, and other integrative therapies to restore the body’s balance and strengthen the immune system. CMC uses organically grown or wild-crafted herbs whenever possible.

Support Services

We offer Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese language interpreters, rides to CMC appointments, and referrals to community partners for additional resources to address the concerns low-income women face every day in their struggles with cancer and poverty.

How to Become a Client

CMC clients come to us from a variety of sources. Community agencies can refer a patient by completing a CMC Referral Form and faxing or emailing it to our clinic. We receive these forms from patient navigators at Alameda Health System, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center, Kaiser Permanente, LifeLong Medical Care, Shanti Project, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, and others.

Have additional questions? Contact Charlotte Maxwell Clinic