Traumatic brain injury survivors face a variety of different issues. While everyone with TBI has different challenges, depending on the severity of their injury, other people undergoing similar challenges can best understand the problems you are facing. TBI support groups provide the emotional support TBI patients and their families need to tackle the obstacles of living with a traumatic brain injury. Support groups are a wonderful way to make new friends and to learn about TBI.
Different TBI support groups focus on different aspects of coping with TBI. For example, some groups offer special separate meetings for the family members and caregivers of TBI patients, while other groups have one meeting for both the TBI patient and his or her family. Some groups focus on helping new TBI patients adjust to their new lifestyle, while other groups focus on offering adaptive recreational activities for people with TBI. Some support groups offer support for people with either TBI or SCI and several support groups offer help to people with any form of physical disability. It is a good idea to check out several groups before deciding which one to join; some people find it helpful to belong to more than one group.
We have tried to make the following list of TBI support groups in California as complete as possible. Since groups change meeting places and meeting times and may disband without notice, we advise you to call ahead before visiting a group’s meeting place for the first time.
If you cannot find a TBI support group, you may want to consider starting your own.
Apple Valley
Brainstorming 4 Us
A monthly support group in the Apple Valley area. You can visit their website for more information at www.brainstorming4us.com
Contact:
Bakersfield
Brain Injury Support Group
Please call for more information on dates and times of the support groups.
Meeting place:
5001 Commerce Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93309
Contact:
661-834-2086
Burlingame
ABI Support Group
Day & Time
Please call for more information on dates and times of the support groups.
Meeting place:
1764 Marco Polo Way
Burlingame, CA 94010
Contact: 650-595-0783
Castro Valley
Eden Medical Center Stroke and Brain Injury Support Group
Please call for current information on the support groups held at Eden Hospital.
510-727-2761
Meeting place:
20103 Lake Cabot Road
Castro Valley, CA 94546
Contact: 510-889-5064
Encinitas, CA
Spinal Cord Injury Support and Education Group
Description:
Meet other individuals affected by a spinal cord injury and the loved ones supporting them. This group is free and open to the community. The group meets the third Tuesday of every month from 5:30–7 p.m. This class is co-facilitated with the Triumph Foundation.
- Comfortable, adaptive environment
- Receive hope and encouragement
- Share concerns
- Develop coping strategies
- Build supportive peer relationships
- Learn other perspectives
- Receive current information and resources
- Continue a life of meaning and purpose
Address:
Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas
Rehabilitation Center
354 Santa Fe Drive
Encinitas, CA 92024
Contact Information:
For more information and to RSVP, contact Debbie Pimstone, MSW, clinical social worker, at 760-633-6709 or pimstone.deborah@scrippshealth.org. Group size is limited.
Escondido
Head Injury and Trauma Spinal Support System (HITSSS)
Please call for more information on dates and times of the support groups.
Meeting place:
555 E. Valley Center
Escondido, CA 92030
Contact: 800-986-4487
Eureka
Heads Up
Please call for more information on dates and times of the support groups.
Meeting place:
1910 California Street
Eureka, CA 95501
Contact: 707-443-8951
Hemet
Hemet Valley Head Trauma Support Group
Please call for more information on this group.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 3672
Hemet, CA 92546
Contact:
909-767-1680
Inglewood
New Pathways Westside Brain Injury Support Group
This group gives members the opportunity to learn more about their specific condition as well as to talk to member in similar circumstances. Each meeting features informative guest speakers. Please call for more information on dates, times, and eligibility to join.
Meeting place:
Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital
333 N. Prairie A
Inglewood, CA 90301
Contact: 310-674-7050, Ext: 3100
Website: www.centinelafreeman.com/memorial/HospitalServices/New%20Pathways
Laguna Hills
Saddleback Brain Injury Support Group
Please call for more information on dates and times of the support groups.
Meeting place:
24451 Health Center Dr.
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Contact:
949-452-7255
Larkspur
Brain Injury Survivors Support Group
Please call for more information on this TBI support group.
Meeting place:
1144 Magnolia
Larkspur, CA 94939
Contact:
415-461-6771
Pomona
Pomona Brain Injury Support Group
Call for more information about this group.
Meeting place:
255 E. Bonita Ave.
Pomona, CA 91769
Contact: 909-596-0955
Oxnard
TBI Support Group
Call for information on this group.
Meeting place:
1600 N. Rose Ave
Oxnard, CA 93030
Contact:
805-642-4390
Redding
Brain Injured Guidance Group (BIGG)
Call 530-245-1796 for information on BIGG.
Meeting place:
105 “B” Hartnell Avenue
Redding, CA 96002
Contact: 530-221-1452
Sacramento
Participants in Progress
This is a peer support group for people with any type of physical disability. The group hosts monthly outings. Please call for more information.
Address:
Participants in Progress
P.O. Box 162426, Sacramento, California, 95816
Phone: 916-456-1837
San Bernardino
Support Groups for Students with Acquired Brain Injury
This group is especially for students struggling with the challenge of TBI. Please call for more information.
Meeting place:
701 S. Mt. Vernon Ave., #107
San Bernardino, CA 92410
Contact: 909-888-6511 ext: 1642
San Diego
Challenged Women’s Support Initiative (CWSI)
This group welcomes women and men with physical disabilities of all types, as well as family members, caregivers, and anyone who is interested in supporting the physically challenged. The group meets every second Wednesday of the month. The meeting is from noon to 1:30, but participants are asked to please arrive by 11:30 a.m. in order to check-in. For those unable to attend the meetings, the group also offers telephone and e-mail peer support and education.
Meeting place:
Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women
Benbough Room
3003 Health Center Drive, San Diego, California, 92123
Contact: Mary Thompson 858-939-6709 or Mary.Thompson@sharp.com
Website: https://www.sharp.com/services/index.cfm?id=684
Brain Injury General Meetings
Call for details.
Address:
P.O. Box 84601
San Diego, CA 92138
Contact:
619-294-6541
Website: https://sdbif.org/
TBI Support Group
Call for more information on this group.
Meeting place:
200 W. Arbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92103
Contact: 800-986-4487
San Jose
Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group
Please call for details.
Meeting place:
403 S. Cypress Avenue
San Jose, CA 95117
Contact: 408-295-9896, Ext: 18
San Rafael
Connections
Please call for more information at the Connections support group.
Meeting place:
1675 Grand Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
Contact: 415-453-4069
Santa Barbara
Brain Injury Support Group—Jodihouse
Please call for more information on this group.
Meeting place:
1235 Veronica Rd., #C
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Contact: 805-563-2882
Website: www.jodihouse.com
Santa Monica
TBI Social Network
This group of TBI survivors meets for dinner. Please call John Simpson at 310-364-4640 for current information on dates, times, and places.
Address:
1444 3rd Street Promenade
Santa Monica, CA
Website: www.angelfire.com/ca/kktbisocialnetwork
Santa Rosa
Brain Injury Network of Sonoma County
Please call for information on the Brain Injury Network
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 9217
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
Contact: 707-544-4323
Email: braininjurynetwork@prodigy.net
Saratoga
Spectrum of Abilities
This group in the Bay Area is dedicated to social gatherings and support for all LGBT and S people with physical disabilities, and their caregivers, family, and friends.
Meeting place:
Southwest YMCA
13500 Quito Road
Saratoga, California 95070
Contacts:
Mark 408-733-0387
Grant 650 996-8316
Sunnyvale
Think-A-Heads
Please call 408-257-4719 for information on this TBI survivors support group.
Meeting place:
550 East Remington St.
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Contact: 408-448-2260
Walnut Creek
New Lift Support Group
This group’s meetings are held at the John Muir Outpatient Therapy Center in the Outpatient Therapy Center. Please call for more information.
Meeting place:
1981 N. Broadway
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Contact:
510-204-5388
Support Group for Disabled Women
This support group for women with various physical disabilities is led by Ann Herman, a Social Worker who has been a C6/7 quad for thirty years.
Contact:
Ann Herman 858-541-3171