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 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 Texas: https://www.yempl.com/
Brain Injury Association of Austin
1339 Lamar Square Drive
Austin, TX 78704
The chapter meets the first Tuesday of each month from7:00 – 8:30 pm
Meeting Place:
Mary Lee Foundation Community Center
1327 Lamar Square Drive
Austin, TX
Contacts:
Gloria Young
Email: gloriayoungconsulting@gmail.com
Or
Leming Xu 512.282.7505
Amarillo
Texas Tech Pharmacy School TBI Support Group
Meetings are on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 7 pm in the Texas Tech Pharmacy School lounge.
Meeting Place:
Texas Tech Pharmacy School
1300 S. Coulter Amarillo Texas
Contact:
JoAnn Robertson 806-378-8885
Amarillo TBI Support Group
Meetings are held at the Panhandle Independent Living Center on the first Thursday of the month at 2 pm.
Meeting Place:
Panhandle Independent Living Center
1118 S Taylor
Amarillo Texas
Contact:
Bart Hill 806- 374-1400
Austin
McBeth Stroke Aphasia Club
This group meets every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Meeting Place:
McBeth Recreation Center in Zilker Park.
2100 Barton Springs Rd.
Austin, Texas
Contact:
Kristie Moreland 512-974-9015
TBI Information & Training
Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month from 7:00 pm – 8:30 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Mary Lee Foundation Community Center
1327 Lamar Square Drive
Austin, Texas
Contact:
Chip Howe 512-443-5777
Conroe
HealthSouth Rehab Hospital TBI Support Group
This group is not meeting at the present time, but will begin meeting again in the fall. TBI survivors and their families are welcome. No contact information given
Dallas
FOCUS Group
Meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. on the second floor of Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation in Conference Room C. This group is for survivors, family members, and/or caregivers of TBI survivors.
Meeting Place:
Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation
909 North Washington
Dallas, TX 75246
Contacts:
Laurel Stevens, MS, CCC
Karen Lavery, CTRS 214-820-9327
Different Strokes for Different Folks at Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation
Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at 3:00 p.m. on the second floor of Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation. This group is for survivors, family members, and/or caregivers of CVA survivors.
Meeting Place:
Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation
909 North Washington
Dallas, TX 75246
Contact:
Kara Love, CTRS 214-820- 9638
Dallas Area Acquired Brain Injury Support Group
A support group for UT Southwestern University Hospital and Clinics’ patients, family members and survivors of brain injury. The support group addresses the varying needs of people with acquired brain injuries such as aneurysm, stroke, or traumatic brain injury and provides a platform to share with others who may have similar needs. The group is scheduled to meet twice a month. Please call for the most current information.
Meets first Wednesday of each month from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. in Conference Room 1, UT Southwestern University Hospital.The second group meeting will be the first Monday of each month from 11:30am-1:00pm, in Conference Room 1, UT Southwestern University Hospital.
Meeting Place:
UT Southwestern Medical Center
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, Texas
Contacts:
Dr. Kathleen Saine, PhD
Dr. Karen Brewer, PhD
John Taylor, Chaplain
E-mail: Johnny.Taylor@UTSouthwestern.ed
214-645-1155
Denton
Brain Injury Support Group
Meets first Thursday of the month beginning at 1pm. Meeting is in the Community Room of the Professional Building at Denton Regional Medical Center.
Meeting Place:
Denton Regional Medical Center
3535 S. IH-35 E, Suite 103B
Denton, TX 76210
Contact:
Kalyn Briggs, MS OTR/L 940-384-3970
Edinburg
South Texas Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets every third Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.
Meeting Place:
The Rehab Center at Renaissance hospital
5403 Doctor’s Drive
Edinburg, Texas
Contacts:
Dr. Cynthia Cavazos-Gonzalez
Theresa Yongson 956-971-3550
El Paso
El Paso Brain Injury Support Group
Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Mentis Neuro Rehab
1831 Murchison Rd.
Suite C El Paso, TX 79902
Contact:
Nancy Peters 915-319-9553 E-mail: npeters@mentisneuro.com
Grapevine
Mid-Cities Acquired Brain Injury Caregiver Support Group
This group meets the first Saturday of each month from 8:30am-10:00am.
Meeting Place:
Ethicus Hospital
4201 William Tate Ave
Grapevine, Texas
Contact:
Dr. Karen Brewer 214-645-4091
E-mail: karen.brewer@utsouthwestern.edu
Houston
Online Support Group
Brain injury survivors and caregivers are invited to share stories as well as information about resources and events in the Houston area.
Website: http://habi-online.org/what-is-habi-online/
Houston TBI Support Group-Quentin Mease Hospital
Meetings are held every fourth Thursday of the month from 3-4 pm in the second Floor In-patient conference Room. The group is for Quentin Mease Hospital patients, survivors, family and friends.
Meeting Place:
Quentin Mease Hospital
Contacts: David or Lynn 713-873-3845
Challenge Brain Injury Support Group – Houston
Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Challenge Brain Injury Support Group
2455 S. Braeswood
Houston, TX 77030
Contact:
Lynn Cone 713-729-5162 Fax: 713-668-5210
West Houston Stroke Warriors
This group meets every Saturday from 10:30am to noon. The group meets to discuss individual challenges of the month, build friendships, learn about clinical trials, and have fun with art or music. Individuals with aphasia and speech challenges are encouraged to attend either by themselves or with a caregiver. Most members of the group were working up to the day of the stroke, whether they’re 22 or 88.
The group meets to hear a 20 minute speaker at the beginning, then discuss progress in recovery, socialize, discuss some stroke articles, recent news.
Meeting Place:
Comprehensive Outpatient Rehab
West Houston Medical Center Professional Building
12606 West Houston Center Blvd., Suite 180
Houston, TX 77082
Contact:
Kathy Carrico 281-588-8517
E-mail: kathleen.carrico@hcahealthcare.com
Houston TBI Support Group
Meetings are held every Friday from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Meeting Place:
7000 Regency Square Blvd., Suite 160
Houston, TX 77036
Contact:
713-974-4621 Fax 713-974-6927
E-mail: HCIL@neosoft.com
Houston TBI Support Group
Meetings are held every Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Memorial City Rehab Hospital
Spring Shadow Pines
3033 N. Gessner
Houston, TX 77080
Contact:
Judy Holman 713-465-8563
Recovery Awareness Foundation – Houston
Support for those who are caregivers to survivors of brain injury. This is an on-line only support group.
Address:
Recovery Awareness Foundation
3438 Woodbriar
Houston, TX 77068
Contact:
Paulette Keeney 281-583-0448 Email: knkeeney@aol.com
Lubbock
South Plain Brain Injury Association
This group meets on the second Saturday of each month from 10:00–11:30 am. All meetings are free and reservations are not necessary. It is a good idea to call ahead to confirm the meeting schedule, since things can change.
Meeting Place:
Indiana Avenue Baptist Church
8315 Indiana Avenue
Lubbock, Texas
Contact:
Malva Teague-Smith, M.Ed., LPC, CRC 806-281-5404 or 806-281-5400
Transitional Learning Center at Lubbock
4000 22nd Place, third Floor
Lubbock, Texas 79410
Plano
Plano Brain Injury Support Group
2420 Evergreen
Plano, TX 75075
Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays at 7:00pm.
Meeting Place:
HealthSouth
2800 15th Street
Plano, Texas 75075
Contact:
Jim Burrus 972-519-0008
San Antonio
Alamo Head Injury Support Group
This group fourth Wednesday of each month from 6:00 – 7:30 pm.
Meeting Place:
Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center
2203 Babcock Road
San Antonio, Texas 78229
Contact:
Ashley Longoria 210-614-4323
Email: ashley.longoria@alamoheadinjury.org
Website: www.alamoheadinjury.org