Traumatic brain injury affects different people in different degrees, but everyone with TBI experiences similar emotions. Dealing with TBI is challenging for both the patient and his or her family, but sharing your experiences with people who have had similar experiences can help. TBI support groups provide the opportunity to make friends and learn more about TBI.
Different TBI support groups have different focuses, so check out several, if possible, to see which one best meets your needs. Some TBI support groups emphasize learning about TBI, while others emphasize offering adaptive recreational opportunities for TBI patients. Some groups have meetings for patients and separate meetings for caregivers and family members, while others invite any one interested in TBI to the same meeting.
We have tried to make the following list of support groups in Pennsylvania as complete as possible. Since support groups change or disband without warning we advise you to call before traveling to the group’s meeting place for the first time. If you cannot find a group in your area, you may wish to start one. Information about starting your own TBI support group can be obtained from the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania.
Allentown
Lehigh Valley Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Primarily informational, discussion/emotional support happens in context versus planned into meeting; no social events.
Meeting Place:
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital; Health and Technology Building
2nd Floor Conference Room
850 South 5th Street
Allentown, PA 18103-3296
Web site: http://www.biplv.com
Contacts:
Bill DeCray at (610) 432-1619
Bonnie Kuhns at (610) 776-3214
Brain Injury Support Group for Teens
This group meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 6 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Client driven monthly gathering with activities chosen by the members.
Meeting Place:
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, Health and Technology Building
850 South 5th Street
Allentown, PA 18103-3296
Contacts:
Jodie Moutlon at (610) 778-9207 or jmoulton@gsrh.org
Altoona
Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. Agenda varies
speakers on occasion, topics on occasion; agenda determined month by month.
Meeting Place:
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona
2005 Valley View Boulevard
Altoona, PA 16602
Contact:
Brenda Williams at (814) 944-3535
Butler
Mind Matters: The Butler TBI Support Group
This group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Discussions on topics generated by the group.
Meeting Place:
Butler Memorial Hospital, Dimmick Room
911 E. Brady Street
Butler, PA 16001
Hospital: (724) 283-6666
Contacts:
Monica Perry at (724) 287-4646
Dottie Adel at (724) 285-3472
STRONG: Survivors of Trauma Recovery Oriented Group
This group meets on the fourth Monday of each month from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. This group is open to veterans and other members of the community who have experienced strokes or brain injury.
Meeting Place:
Butler Veterans Administration
325 New Castle Road
Butler, PA 16001
Contacts:
Chris Diamond at (724) 286-4781, ext. 4433
Chambersburg
Head Back
This group meets on the last Thursday of the month (April-October only) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Please call to verify location. Informal, unstructured, “family-like” open discussion; occasional speakers; 2-4 social events per year.
Meeting Place:
Chambersburg Hospital, primarily
112 North 7th Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Contact:
Karen Dubbs at (717) 263-5721
Clarion
TBI Tuesdays
This group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Informal, group discussion, guest speakers, social events, agenda determined by participants.
Meeting Place:
Clarion University Speech and Hearing Clinic
Keeling Health Center, Clarion Main Campus
840 Wood Street
Clarion, PA 16214
Contact:
Mary Pat McCarthy at (814) 393-2326
Danville
Geisinger HealthSouth Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Topical discussions, speakers, 3 social events per year.
Meeting Place:
Geisinger HealthSouth Rehab Hospital
2 Rehab Lane
Danville, PA 17821
Contact:
Amy Wilk at (570) 271-6110, ext. 51428
Doylestown
BCIU#22 Parent Support Group
This group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month during the school year from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Determined month by month, speakers arranged on topics generated by group.
Meeting Place:
Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22
705 N. Shady Retreat Road
Doylestown, PA 18901
Contacts:
Sarah Krusen at (800) 700-4822, ext.2085
Marguerite Vasconcellos at (800) 770-4822, ext. 1679
BCIU#22 Teen Support Group
This group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month during the school year from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. This group is for adolescents, ages 13-21, with brain injury. Meeting formats vary with open discussions, speakers, theme nights, and social events.
Meeting Place:
Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22
705 N. Shady Retreat Road
Doylestown, PA 18901
Contacts:
Sarah Krusen at (800) 700-4822, ext. 2085
Marguerite Vasconcellos at (800) 770-4822, ext. 1679
Erie
Brain Injury Education and Support Group
This group meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Meeting Place:
HealthSouth Erie
143 E. 2nd Street
Erie, PA 16507
Contact:
Jennifer Abbott at (814) 878-1358
Brain Injury Support Group of Erie
This group meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 5:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Glenwood United Methodist Church
2931 Myrtle Street
Erie, PA
Contact:
Nanette Crawford (814) 452-5519
Greensburg
Westmoreland Brain-Head Trauma Support Group
This group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 7 p.m. This is a newly formed group. The format is in development.
Meeting Place:
Trinity United Church of Christ
139 N. Main Street
Greensburg, PA
Contacts:
Maria Martin at (724) 838-1312 or ml.martin.12@hotmail.com
Hershey
Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Sharing, with some speakers.
Meeting Place:
University Physicians Center, Room 1010
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
500 University Drive
Hershey, PA 17033
Contacts:
Ben Shuey at (717) 526-2111
Johnstown
Johnstown Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Discussion, with speakers.
Meeting Place:
Crichton Rehabilitation Center
Lee Campus
320 Main Street
Johnstown, PA 15901
Contact:
Larry Rutledge at (814) 619-4223.
Looking Beyond
This group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Informal, group discussions, guest speakers, social events, agenda determined by participants.
Meeting Place:
Unlimited Care Providers – Choices Community Service Center
119 Jari Drive
Johnstown, PA 15904
Contacts:
John Foster, Kerry Figurelle, or Lindy Mishler at (800) 270-2393
Lancaster
Lancaster Area Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets on the first Thursday of each month from 7 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Acadia, Suite 201
1817 Olde Homestead Lane
Lancaster, PA 17601 (call for directions if needed)
Contact:
Kathleen Meade at (717) 394-3466
Langhorne
Heads On Straight for TBI Survivors and Families Support Group
This group meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Open discussion, speakers a few times per year.
Meeting Place:
Saint Mary Medical Center, Education Building
Third Floor, Recreation Therapy room in Rehabilitation Unit
Route 413
Langhorne, PA 19047
Malvern
Survivors Group and Family Members Group
(2 separate groups meet at the same time)
This group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Six meetings with topic focused discussions; 4 meetings with speakers; 2 social events.
Meeting Place:
Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation
414 Paoli Pike
Malvern, PA 19355
Contact:
Edward Murphy at (610) 251-5430
Connie Armistead at (610) 399-0714
Mechanicsburg
West Shore Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 pm.
Informal, open discussions, social and emotional support, guest speakers.
Meeting Place:
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center of Mechanicsburg
175 Lancaster Boulevard
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Contacts:
Kathie Grucz at (717) 697-3331
Pat Kautz at (717) 580-6129
Neuro Support Group
(primarily stroke support)
This group meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. with educational and emotional support.
Meeting Place:
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center of Mechanicsburg
Conference Rooms A,B,&C
175 Lancaster Boulevard
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Contacts:
Phyllis Kegerreis at (717) 652-2545
Monroeville
Monroeville Area TBI Peer Support Group
This group is not currently meeting. Paul Damon is taking calls.
Meeting Place:
Crossroads Presbyterian Church
2310 Haymaker Road at Ramsey
Monroeville, PA 15646
Contact:
Paul Damon at (412) 372-2888
Philadelphia
Brain Injury Empowerment Group
This group meets on the second Monday of each month from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Topical discussions, speakers, 2 social events per year.
Meeting Place:
Moss Rehab Ekins Park Campus, Drucker Brain Injury Center
60 East Township Line Road
Elkins Park, PA 19027
Contacts:
Roberta Brooks at (215) 456-9900
Brain Wise: Central Philadelphia Brain Injury Survivors’ Support Group
This group meets on the first and third Friday of each month from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Topical discussions, social and emotional support.
Meeting Place:
Liberty Resources first Floor, first Room on the left
714 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
Contacts:
Lisa Kolker at (215) 843-4772 or goddess1@verizon.net
Colette Seter at colette.seter@temple.edu
Brain Injury Family Care Group
This group meets on the fourth Monday of each month from 6 p.m. This group is geared toward the needs of persons with brain injury and their family members.
Meeting Place:
Magee Rehabilitation
Six Franklin Plaza
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Contacts:
Jennifer Salomon or Emily Askin at (215) 587-3411
Stroke Family Peer CARE (Connections, Assistance, Resources, Education)
This group meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 6 p.m. Specially trained stroke survivors and their families help stroke inpatients and their families. This group is geared toward the needs of those with recent injuries and addresses initial adjustment, not long-term caregiving issues.
Meeting Place:
Magee Rehabilitation
Six Franklin Plaza
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Contacts:
Jennifer Salomon at (215) 587-3411
Wendkos Stroke Club
This group meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. This group of outpatients meets to socialize, share information, and plan outings and events.
Meeting Place:
Magee Rehabilitation
Six Franklin Plaza
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Contacts:
Jennier Salomon at (215) 587-3411
Parents and Caregivers Support Group for Parents/Caregivers of Children w/Brain Injury
This group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Determined month by month, speakers arranged on topics generated by group.
Meeting Place:
Children’s Seashore House, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Room 438
34th & Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Contact:
Maureen Sullivan at (215) 590-7645
Special Teens Around Representing Brains
This group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Teen groups meets separately from, but at the same time as the Caregiver group). This group is for adolescents, ages 13-22, which have brain injuries. Meeting formats vary, with open discussions, speakers, theme nights, and social events.
Meeting Place:
Children’s Seashore House, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
34th & Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Contact:
Gayle Chesley at (267) 426-7388
Pittsburgh
Brain Tumor Support Group
This group meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Cancer Caring Center
4117 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Web site: www.cancercaring.org
Moving Ahead Support Group
This group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7:00-9:00 pm.
Informational, speakers most months open forums other months, 2 social events per year.
Meeting Place:
HealthSouth Harmarville Rehabilitation Hospital
Guys Run Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Contacts:
Tom Byrnes at (412) 670-4867
Susan Little at (412) 828-1300, ext. 7248
Pittsburgh Area Brain Injury Alliance Support Group
This group meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Educational, speakers.
Meeting Place:
Life’s Work (formally VRC)
1323 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-4224
Contacts:
Ed Crinnion at (412) 761-9870 (Cell) or (412) 337-6502
UPMC Rehabilitation Hospital TBI Support Group
This group meets on the second Monday of each month from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Open discussion.
Meeting Place:
UPMC Southside
2000 Mary Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Contacts:
Lynne Marshall at (412) 488-5838
Pleasant Gap
Nittany Valley Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Open discussion, occasional speakers, 2 social events per year.
Meeting Place:
HealthSouthNittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital
550 West College Avenue
Pleasant Gap, PA 16823
Contact:
Sharon Poorman at (814) 359-3421, ext. 5659
Pottsville
Anthracite Area Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 6 p.m. Topic focused discussions, occasional speakers, occasional social events.
Meeting Place:
SchuylkillRehabilitation Center
300 Schuylkill Medical Plaza
Pottsville, PA 17901
Contact:
Janet Fields, Schuylkill Rehab, at (570) 621-9500
Quakertown
Family Support Group
This group meets on the third Monday of each month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Topical discussions, occasional speakers.
Meeting Place:
First United Church of Christ
4th and Park Avenues
Quakertown, PA 18951
Contacts:
Marlene Nathans at (610) 993-0631
Vicki Young at (215) 234-0934
Spousal Support Group
Please call for information. Open discussion, literature provided, focus on emotional support.
Meeting Place:
Success Rehabilitation, Inc.
5666 Clymer Road
Quakertown, PA 18951
Contacts:
Ron Palacio at (215) 538-3488
Reading
Brain Injury Support Group of Reading
This group meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 6 p.m. Open discussion; focus on social and emotional support.
Meeting Place:
HealthSouth Reading Rehabilitation Hospital
1623 Morgantown Road
Reading, PA 19607
Contacts:
Pamela Reeves at (610) 374-0989
Bette Turner at (717) 484-2151
Red Lion
Red Lion Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets on the third Saturday of each month from 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. (approx.). Topical discussions, speakers and videos occasionally.
Meeting Place:
Bethany United Methodist Church
121 West Broadway Street
Red Lion, PA 17356
Contact:
Mary Stoner at (717) 246-0974
Sewickley (Leetsdale)
Stroke Support Group
This group meets on the fourth Thursday (Please call to verify meeting date and time) from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Educational, presentations by professionals on stroke topics.
Meeting Place:
HealthSouth of Sewickley
303 Camp Meeting Road
Leetsdale, PA 15143
Contact:
Sara Kennelty at (412) 741-9500, ext. 2411
Towanda
Bradford County Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets on the second Wednesday of every month from 7 p.m. – 8:30 pm.
Meeting Place:
Rotates through different locations across the county. Call for information.
Contact:
Bonnie Williams at (570) 265-1760 (work) or (570) 596-3597 (home)
Wilkes-Barre
Brain Injury Support Group at John Heinz
This group meets on the last Wednesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Open discussion, some speakers, plan developed by the group month by month.
Meeting Place:
The Board Room at John Heinz Institute of Rehabilitation
150 Mundy Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Contacts:
Donna Kopicki at (570) 826-3888
Williamsport
Head Injury Network
This group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. Frequent speakers, followed by socialization.
Meeting Place:
Williamsport Hospital
777 Rural Avenue
Williamsport, PA 17701
Contact:
Mary Ann Belfy at (570) 321-2656
York
Aim High Support Group
This group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Open discussion, occasional speakers; break into 2 groups (survivors and caregivers) twice a year.
Meeting Place:
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of York
1850 Normandie Drive
York, PA 17408
Contact:
Doris DeJonge at (717) 767-8786