Support Groups

Support Groups, Classes and Services Around San Diego

 

All of San Diego Support Groups

Telephone Help, Information, and Referrals About Brain Injuries: call the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation at 619-294-6541.
 
Monthly meetings to make friends and hear speakers of interest to brain injury survivors, family members, friends and caregivers are offered. Meetings are held from 10:00am-12:00pm the 3rd Saturday each month at the Joyce Beers Community Center which is part of the Uptown District Shopping Center near highway 163 and University Avenue.
 
You can also send us your questions to our Email or seek additional information on-line at SDBIF.org.
Are you assisting a relative or friend with a chronic and disabling condition? The Southern Caregiver Resource Center can help you to find the best options for you and your loved one; and the help is free. Services include: Specialized Information, Family Consultation/Case Management, Respite Care, Short-Term Counseling, Support Groups, Legal/Financial Consultation, and Education and Training. Support Groups for Caregivers include General Caregiver Support Groups with a special focus on Adult Child as Caregiver.

Please call 858-262-4432 or 800-827-1008 for more information.

Or download the meeting schedule here
Support and Resources in English and Spanish for Families of Children with Special Needs are provided by the Exceptional Family Resource Centers throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties. The main office is 9245 Sky Park Court #130, San Diego. Call 800-281-8252.
Kaiser Permanente has Caregiver Support Groups in Vista, San Diego and Bostonia. Call 619-641-4456 for additional information.
Support Groups for Adults with Epilepsy are offered throughout San Diego County by the Epilepsy Society. For information call 619-296-0161.
Various programs and services for adults with all types of disabilities is offered by Access 2 Independence, 619-293-3500, 800-976-2776.

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Central County Support Groups

Download the 2020 Online Saturday Meeting Schedule

Accordion Sample DescriptionSan Diego Community College District offers ABI Classes in three different continuing education programs for adults with Acquired Brain Injury, including trauma, stroke, tumors, brain infections and anoxic injuries.
  • The CE-Mesa ABI Program meets Monday through Thursday afternoons at Mesa College campus . Please contact Brandi Bass at 619-388-1952.
  • Plan your Career Path/Occupational Opportunities classes offered at CE at Mesa College on Tuesdays from 1:00-3:00, February 3-June 2. Call 619-388-1952.
  • The ECC Program meets Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30-3:30 at the Educational Cultural Complex (ECC) on Ocean View Blvd. Call John Bromma at 619-388-4812.
  • The West City Campus program meets in Point Loma on Monday-Thursday mornings. Call Nicole Thomason at 619-388-1866.
  • Adaptive Yoga classes are offered at the CE at Mesa College on Wednesdays from 4:00-5:30 pm. Contact Brandi Bass at 619-388-1952.
  • Cognitive Retraining classes offered at the CE at Mesa College on Wednesdays from 6:00-9:00 pm. Call 619-388-1952.
  • Plan your Career Path/Occupational Opportunities classes offered at Mid-City campus on Fairmount Avenue on Wednesdays from 12:30-2:30, January 28-June 3. Call 619-388-4556.
Information can also be found at: www.sdce.edu.
San Diego Brain Injury Foundation Saturday Meetings are held the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10 a.m.-noon. Joyce Beers Community Center which is part of the Uptown District Shopping Center near Highway 163 and University. Call 619-294-6541.

  Download the 2018 Joyce Beers Meeting Schedule
Variety of Programs and Services for Adults With Disabilities offered by Access 2 Independence, 619-293-3500.
Young Enthusiastic Stroke Survivors Group (YESS!) meets certain Tuesdays of each month at 6:00 pm at Sharp Rehabilitation Center. 2999 Health Center Drive, San Diego. Call 858-939-6762.
Brain Injury Support Group for Survivors and Families by The Head Injury & Trauma Support System (HITSS) is held in the 3rd floor conference room at UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest, 200 W. Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92103, every Saturday from 1-2:30pm. Call 800-986-4487.
Socialization and Therapeutic Programs for disabled individuals are sponsored by the San Diego Recreational Services for the Disabled. Call 619-525-8247.
Caregiver Support Groups are offered at the Live Well Center, 4425 Bannock Avenue, San Diego. Call 800-827-1008.
Sports, recreation and wellness/support programs, seasonal clinics and trips are offered through Sharp Rehabilitation Services. Sample offerings include an adaptive golf clinic, a gentle fitness exercise program, chair aerobics, adaptive weight training and adaptive yoga. Call 858-939-3048 or www.sharp.com/rehab/index.cfm
Sharp Players Drama Group: every Friday, 3:00-4:30 p.m. at Sharp Rehabilitation Center. Call 858-939-3156.
Adaptive Driving Program per appointment through Sharp Rehabilitation Center. Call 858-939-6942.
Challenged Women’s Support Group meets in the Sharp Rehabilitation Center. Call Jennifer Burdeaux at 858-939-3153 to confirm location or for more details.
Gray Matters is designed to enhance socializing, communicating and to develop interpersonal skills. We meet on the First Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:30 PM at Sharp Rehap, in the Rehab Trailer at 2999 Health Center Dr., San Diego, CA 92123. Contact Heidi at 858-365-0465 or heidi@graymatters4u.com.

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North County Support Groups

ABI Classes For Adults With Acquired Brain Injury are held at Palomar Community College’s Adaptive Living Skills Program (ABI) at the Escondido Center Campus. Call 760-744-1150 ext. 2375.
Brain and Spinal Cord Injury and Support Groups are offered for survivors and families at Palomar Medical Center and Learning Services. Meetings are held in the Graybill Auditorium, 555 East Valley Parkway, Escondido. Saturdays from 9-10:30am. Call 800-986-4487.
Stroke and Brain Injury Support and Education Group offered at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, Conference Center, 354 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024. The group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 2:30-3:45pm. For more information, call Andrea Schwarb at 760-633-6709.
Tri-City Medical Center offers Aphasia Support Groups and Stroke Exercise classes. Call 760-940-7272.
North County SDBIF CARE Conferences are held on the following Saturdays from 10am—noon at Scripps Hospital, 354 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas in the Conference Center:
  • February 10, 2018
  • April 14, 2018
  • August 11, 2018
  • October 13, 2018
  • .
    A Driving Rehabilitation Program is offered at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas . Comprehensive evaluations and adaptive drivers training are provided. . Call 760-633-6507 or visit www.scripps.org/drivingevaluations
    Brainmasters is an improvisational speaking group for stroke and brain injury survivors. While thinking quickly on their feet, this fun, supportive, and interactive group strives to improve communication skills and build self-confidence in communication. This group is free, open to the community, and facilitated by a brain injury survivor.
     
    Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, Rehabilitation Center, Library
    354 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024
    They meet every Wednesday from 3-4pm
     
    ***Group size is limited to 13. RSVP is requested: Contact 760-633-6709
    Andrea Schwarb, LCSW, schwarb.andrea@scrippshealth.org
    or Debbie Pimstone, MSW, pimstone.deborah@scrippshealth.org
    For those recovering from brain injuries and/or neurological challenges. Enjoy self-expression through art, increase skills, improve eye/hand coordination and enjoy the warmth and support of facilitator, Denise McMurtrie. Supplies provided. (Synergy Art Foundation)

    Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, Rehabilitation Center, Brain Injury Treatment Room
    354 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024
    They have 2 meeting sessions:
    2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 4-5:30pm
    and
    1st Saturday of each month from 11am-12:30pm

    ***Group size is limited to 10. RSVP is requested: Contact 760-633-6709
    Andrea Schwarb, LCSW, schwarb.andrea@scrippshealth.org
    or Debbie Pimstone, MSW, pimstone.deborah@scrippshealth.org
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    East County Support Groups

    The Ann Dahl Gunther Communication Group for stroke and brain injury survivors with aphasia and other speech and language difficulties meets at Grossmont Rehabilitation Center. Call 619-740-410.
    A Stroke and Brain Injury Survivor Program sponsored by Grossmont Rehabilitation Services in La Mesa. Gentle Exercise Program, Adaptive Golf Clinics, Adaptive Aquatics, and a Stroke Club are among the offerings. Call 619-740-4104.
    Aquatic fitness is provided by The Salvation Army, Kroc Center, 6845 University Ave. 
Call 619-287-5762.
    Fitness Clinic for Individuals with Physical Disabilities including brain injuries takes place at Peterson Gym as part of the Department of Exercise & Nutritional Sciences of San Diego State University. The Clinic operates 48 weeks per year. Call 619-594-2017.
    Comebacker’s Neuro Club, a support and recreational group for survivors of stroke or brain injury and family members, meets at the San Diego Rehabilitation Institute (SDRI) at Alvarado Hospital, 6645 Alvarado Road, San Diego. Art Abilities classes are also offered. Call Mary Williams at 619-229-7362.
    Physical therapy, assisted fitness, and chair aerobics at Challenge Center, 5540 Lake Park Way, La Mesa. Call: 619-667-8644.
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    South County Support Groups

    ABI Classes for Adults with Acquired Brain Injury are offered at the Educational Cultural Complex in South San Diego. Call 619-388-6983.
    Special Classes with Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities are offered at Southwestern Community College. Call 619-482-6512.
    Support Group meets every Wednesday from 3:00-4:30 pm at the Glenner Memory Care Center, 280 Saylor Drive, Chula Vista. Call 619-420-1703.
    Meet with stroke and brain injury survivors, caregivers and loved ones. This group is free and open to the community.

    The second Monday in Spanish and fourth Monday in English of every month
    Time: 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.

    For more information contact Rosa Gibson, Community Program Coordinator, at 619-862-6611 or Gibson.rosa@scrippshealth.org

    LOCATION:
    Scripps Well Being Center
    237 Church Avenue
    Chula Vista, CA 91910

    Download the English and Spanish flyers HERE
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    Couples Support Groups

    The Couples Group meets monthly on Sundays for a potluck and get-together. When one partner in a pair suffers a brain injury, the relationship itself changes. Relationships need to recover, too!

    The couples meet for fun, socializing, talking about how roles have changed, and sharing resources.

    All couples are welcome. If you are interested in joining the group or would like more
information, call the SDBIF office 619-294-6541 or send your contact information to our Email.
     
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    Serving the Brain Injury Community Since 1983