Support Group Listing
Support groups are a front line resource for individuals with brain injury, families and supporters.
BIAPA is glad to help start new support groups!
Click the "sign up" button below to provide your contact information and receive notifications, meeting reminders, and additional details about our support groups.
Join members of the Pennsylvania Brain Injury Community for a Virtual Support Group meeting.
This tight-knit community consists of survivors, caregivers, family and professionals from across the state of Pennsylvania!
Third Thursday of every month
5-6PM EST
All caregivers are welcome to join us on the 2nd Wednesday of each month for an hour completely focused on your unique challenges as a caregiver to a person with brain injury. Each meeting will focus on a different topic and some will feature special guests presenters.
Second Wednesday of every month
6-7PM EST
Previously, the Coping with Covid Support Goup, the Health Matters Support Group covers information of concern regarding a variety of health matters that often co-occur with Covid as well as Brain Injury.
2nd & 4th Thursday of every month
5-6:30PM EST
Send us a picture of your support group!
Email SurvivorSupport@biapa.org
Whether you meet in-person or online, thank you for building community and supporting eachother.
You are not alone!
CLICK HERE to download a list of support groups that are meeting virtually or in person with a reservation.
Contact Monica Vaccaro, BIAPA Program Director, at vaccaro@biapa.org if you would like to collaborate on starting a new group in your area.
Find a local support group near you: Click on the map below for your location to see details on the groups near you.
Looking for regional support groups? Scroll down or click button below.
NORTHWEST REGION
Cameron, Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Mercer, Venango and Warren Counties
CLARION COUNTY
Clarion (Clarion County)
Name: TBI Tuesdays
Location: PennWest Clarion University Speech and Hearing Clinic
Address: Keeling Health Center, 22 Hilltop Road, Clarion, PA 16214
Contact: Mary Pat McCarthy: 814-393-2326; mmccarthy@pennwest.edu
Meeting Day: 1st Tuesday of each month
Meeting Time: 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Format: Informal, group discussion, guest speakers, social events, agenda determined by participants.
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NORTHCENTRAL REGION
Bradford, Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga and Union Counties
LYCOMING COUNTY
Williamsport
Name: Head Injury and Stroke Survivors Support Group
Location: UPMC Williamsport Hospital, Walnut Room
Address: 700 High Street, Williamsport, PA 17701
Contacts: Mary Ann Belfy: 570-321-2656
Meeting Day: 4th Tuesday of each month
Meeting Time: 2:00 - 3:30 PM
Format: Speakers often, followed by socialization. November and December meetings are combined for a holiday luncheon the first Tuesday of December at a local restaurant.
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MONTOUR COUNTY
Danville
Name: Neuro Support Group
Location: Geisinger Encompass Health Rehab Hospital
Address: 64 Rehab Lane, Danville, PA 17821
Contacts: Sharon Feudale 570-214-6677 or sharon.feudale@encompasshealth.com
Meeting Day: 2nd Wednesday of each month (except January and February)
Meeting Time: 3:00 to 4:30 PM
Format: No longer meeting virtually, meeting is held in person.
Topical discussions, speakers, 3 social events per year
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NORTHEAST REGION
Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming Counties
LEHIGH COUNTY
Allentown
Name: Lehigh Valley Head Trauma Support Group
Location: Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital
Health and Technology Building, 2nd Floor Conference Room
Address: 850 South 5th Street, Allentown, PA 18103-3296
Contacts: Lori Moyer-Wolfe: 484-280-8364, lmoyer@gsrh.org
Website: Lehigh Valley Head Trauma Support Group
Meeting Day: 3rd Thursday of each month - in-person
Meeting Time: 6:30 PM
Format: Group discussion, guest speakers, social and emotional support, social events, agenda determined by the participants.
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MONROE COUNTY
Pocono Mountains Region
Name: Brain Injury Support Group of the Poconos
Location: Stroudsburg Weselyn Church
Address: 915 North 5th Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Contact: Michael Idell, 570-599-6424, michaelidell@asbisg.org
Meeting Day: 2nd Thursday of each month
Meeting Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Format: We offer a nonjudgmental, safe, open supportive atmosphere for those recovering from traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries. Survivors and support partners hare successes and challenges to learn from one another. Find us on Facebook; https://facebook.com/groups/344608312902573/
Caregiver Support Group Zoom meeting held every Tuesday from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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SOUTHWEST REGION
Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland Counties
ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Pittsburgh
Name: Moving Ahead Support Group
Location: To Be Determined
Address:
Contacts: Tom Byrnes, MS Ed, Brain Injury Recovery Expert, movingahead.support@gmail.com; 412-670-4861
Meeting Day:
Meeting Time:
Format: Please call or email Tom with questions regarding the support group. Currently in the process of securing a new location for the group.
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Pittsburgh
Name: SHADYSIDE Brain Injury Support Group
Location: Zoom Meeting
Address:
Contacts: Monica Bielawski: 412-956-1694 or, email at Shadyside.tbi.group@gmail.com
Meeting Day: 4th Wednesday of each month
Meeting Time: 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Format: Meeting via Zoom link, please contact Monica for meeting link.
Speakers and group discussions. We provide a safe place for BI survivors, family members and caregivers to support and exchange information. We also welcome educators, students, medical professionals and anyone who wants to learn about or are willing to educate about surviving brain injury. We're meeting on Zoom for now!
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Pittsburgh
Name: UPMC Rehabilitation Hospital TBI Support Group
Location: UPMC Mercy
Address: 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Contacts: Dr. Jerrold Yeo: 412-232-4064; yeoj@upmc.edu
Meeting Day: Virtual meetings on 2nd Monday of each month (Group does not meet in January)
Meeting Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Format: Please email Dr. Yeo for link to meeting. Thirty minutes of BI topic presentation by interdisciplinary professionals and then 1 hour of open discussion.
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Pittsburgh
Name: West Penn Hospital Brain Injury Support Group
Location: West Penn Hospital - Liberty Room across from the gift shop
Address: 4800 Friendship Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Contacts: Amanda: 412-608-0713
Meeting Day: Third Wednesday of every month
Meeting Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Format: An evening of encouragement, laughs, getting to know one another, and refreshments. All are welcome. Please feel free to bring any snacks or drinks for the meeting. Parking is available in the garage attached to the hospital or on the street.
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BUTLER COUNTY
Slippery Rock
Name: Butler Brain Injury Group
Location: Slippery Rock University
Address: 105 Field House Road, Patterson Hall, Room 342
Contacts: Heather Bright: heather.bright@sru.edu or 724-738-4891
Meeting Day: 4th Tuesday of the month
Meeting Time: 6:00 to 7:30 PM
Format: Meetings are held in person. Attendees are encouraged to contact Heather prior to attending the group for directions to locate the meeting space.
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WESTMORELAND COUNTY
Latrobe
Name: Concussion Awareness Advocates
Location: Independence Health Latrobe
Address: Excela Square, Latrobe
Contacts: Ali Bednar: 724-689-1070
Meeting Day: Second Wednesday of each month
Meeting Time: 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Format: Group discussion, occasional guest speaker.
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Sewickley
Name: Encompass Health Sewickley Stroke Support Group
Location: Encompass Health Sewickley
Address: 351 Camp Meeting Road, Sewickley, PA 15143
Contacts: Jessica Kuhn, DPT: 412-749-2297, Jessica.Kuhn@encompasshealth.com
Meeting Day: Second Wednesday of each month
Meeting Time: 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Format:
WESTCENTRAL REGION
Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Clearfield, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana and Somerset Counties
BLAIR COUNTY
Altoona
Name: Brain Injury Support Group
Location: Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona
Address: 2005 Valley View Boulevard, Altoona, PA 16602 (ADL Suite)
Contacts: Kathleen Good: kathleen.good@encompasshealth.com
Meeting Day: 2nd Thursday of each month
Meeting Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Format: Varies, speakers on occasion, topics on occasion; agenda determined month by month.
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Altoona
Name: Altoona Brain Injury Support Group
Location: Center for Independent Living
Multipurpose Room
Address: 3013 Beale Avenue, Suite B 102, Altoona, PA 16601
Contacts: George Palmer: 814-949-1905
gpalmer@cilscpa.org
Meeting Day: Every Thursday
Meeting Time: 2:30 PM
Format: Meeting both in person and virtually, please contact George for details on virtual link. BYOF - Bring your own food.
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Tyrone
Name: Brain Injury Group - Tyrone (BIG-T)
Location: Cedarwood, 951 Washington Ave, Tyrone, PA 16686
Contact: Beth Thomas, MA: 814-684-0335 (leave a message) btphone@gmail.com
Meeting Day: Friday evenings when speaker or dinner meeting with social events. Often weekends 4:00 - 6:00 PM or when the activity occurs.
Meeting Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM (approximately)
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SOUTHCENTRAL REGION
Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, Schuykill and York Counties
BERKS COUNTY
Wyomissing
Name: Brain Injury Support Group
Location: Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing
Address: 2802 Papermill Road, Wyomissing, PA
Contacts: Chester Johnson: chester.johnson@towerhealth.org; Rosie Ferriss: rosie.ferriss@towerhealth.org
Meeting Day: 3rd Wednesday of each month
Meeting Time: 4:00 PM
Format: No registration needed, feel free to attend any scheduled meeting. If you wish to be added to our email list, please forward your email address to either Chester or Rosie.
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CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Mechanicsburg
Name: West Shore Brain Injury Support Group
Location: Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital
Address: 175 Lancaster Blvd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Contact: Pat Kautz: 717-580-6129, patkautz3@gmail.com
Meeting Day: 2nd Tuesday of each month
Meeting Time: 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Format: Meetings are open to survivors of brain injury, their family members, friends, and caregivers. This is an informal discussion to provide social and emotional support, to provide a way for people to talk freely with each other about how they are handling their brain injury issues to help one another. Zoom meetings are also scheduled for those who cannot attend as needed.
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Mechanicsburg
Name: Brain Injury Support Group
Location: UPMC West Shore Campus - Outpatient Services Facility - Fredrickson Pavilion
Address: 2015 Technology Parkway, Ground 08 Conference Room, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Contact: Rose Colon: colonrm@upmc.edu
Meeting Day: 4th Wednesday each month
Meeting Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Format: If you or someone you know has suffered a brain injury, we welcome you to join the Brain Injury Support Group. Our group will offer a relaxed, informal atmosphere where attendees may be comfortable sharing their feelings, discussing important topics, and encouraging others. The group is a blend of survivors, family members, caregivers, and professionals of all ages.
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DAUPHIN COUNTY
Hershey
Name: HERSHEY BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP
Location: Hershey Free Church
Address: 330 Hilltop Road, Hummelstown, PA 17036
Contacts: Melissa Carmen, 717-361-2854
Meeting Day: 3rd Thursday each month
Meeting Time: 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Format: Offers a relaxed informal atmosphere where mutual support can flourish. There is a blend of experienced traumatic brain injury survivors, family members, caregivers, and new attendees of all ages who benefit from the experiences that are shared. On occasion, speakers will attend to give a presentation to the group.
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LANCASTER COUNTY
Lancaster
Name: Lancaster Area Brain Injury Support Group
Location: Acadia, Suite 105
Address: 1813 Olde Homestead Lane, Lancaster, PA 17601 (call for directions if needed)
Contact: Kathleen Meade: 717-394-3466, Ext. 305
Meeting Day: 1st Thursday of the month
Meeting Time: 7:00 - 8:15 PM
Format: Effective June 01, 2023 this meeting will be offered both in-person and virtually. Please call Kathleen with any questions regarding meeting format or how to attend virtually.
Meeting is open to survivors of brain injury, their family members, friends, and caregivers. This is an open forum discussion for support, networking and resource sharing.
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Lancaster
Name: Brain Injury Support Group
Location: Lancaster Rehabilitation Hospital
Address: 675 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601
Contact: Ashley Polaski: apolaski@lancaster-rehab.com, 717-406-3056
Meeting Day: 1st Wednesday of the month
Meeting Time: 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Format:
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YORK COUNTY
York
Name: Aim High Support Group
Location: Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of York
Address: 1850 Normandie Drive; York, PA 17408
Contact: Sarah Kurowski: Sarah.Kurowski@encompasshealth.com
Day: 2nd Wednesday of each month
Meeting Time: 5:30 - 6:45 PM
Format: Aim High has returned to in-person meetings at Encompass hospital (recently virtual format used due to COVID). Please email to confirm exact date of meeting, may not always be the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Aim High is organized and led by Encompass staff therapist Sarah Kurowski (OT). Guest speakers, who bring various types of knowledge and awareness to our attendees, are frequently in attendance. Speakers from the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania, the Tri-State Advocacy Project, as well as a neuropsychologist who has spoken to topics including adjustment strategies, as well as various cognitive abilities that may be impacted following brain injury or stroke have already attended the meetings.
At each meeting we take time to discuss monthly accomplishments, such as driving or returning to work, thus inspiring our friends who are in attendance at the meeting. Hardships and advice on how to cope are also discussed. The goal of the meeting is to provide an environment in which attendees feel comfortable sharing feelings, discussing important topics, and encouraging one another. Twice a year a "break out" session is held in which caregivers/support persons and survivors separate and have the opportunity to openly discuss concerns, struggles and topics of interest. There are many members of this group who have been loyal for years and new faces are always welcome to our group!
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York
Name: INSPIRE
Location: Wellspan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital, Apple Hill Medical Campus
Address: 55 Monument Drive, York PA 17403, Community Room on 1st Floor
Contact: Haley Smith: hsmith10@wellspan.org or Lauren Ruth: lruth2@wellspan.org
Time: 3rd Tuesday of the month, 6:00-7:30 PM
Format: If you prefer, you can participate virtually in the meeting. Please contact Haley or Lauren at wsrhbraininjuryprogram@wellspan.org for a link to the meeting.
Open discussion, special topics, speakers, activities. Survivors, families, and friends of brain injury and stroke encouraged to attend.
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SOUTHEAST REGION
Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties
BUCKS COUNTY
Langhorne
Name: Heads On Straight for TBI Survivors& Families Support Group
Location: Saint Mary Rehabilitation Center
Address: 1208 Langhorne-Newtown Road, Langhorne, PA 19047
Contact: Anne Sears: sears@biapa.org, Mike Hrabowski: 215-741-4196
Meeting Day: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month
Meeting Time: 1st Tuesday - 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - In person at St. Mary's|
3rd Tuesday - 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM - via Zoom.
Format: First Tuesday of the month meeting is in person from 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM at St. Mary's Rehab at the address listed above. Third Tuesday of the month meeting is held via Zoom from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM.
Please reach out to either Anne or Mike for a Zoom link to the virtual meeting, or for any questions regarding the meetings.
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Quakertown
Name: Brain Injury Family Support Group
Location: Meeting virtually
Address:
Contacts: Caitie Chovanes: CChovanes@successrehab.com or
Dr. Karen Rosenberger: 215-538-3488
Meeting Day: 3rd Monday of each month
Meeting Time: 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Format: Monthly meetings held via Zoom. For additional details on the Zoom meeting, including a link to the meeting, please contact either Caitie Chovans - CChovanes@successrehab.com or Karen Rosenberger - KRosenberger@successrehab.com.
Social and emotion support for families and friends of survivors of brain trauma. Meetings also include topic discussions, education opportunities and guest presentations.
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CHESTER COUNTY
Malvern
Name: Survivors Group
Location: Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation
Address: 414 Paoli Pike, Malvern, PA 19355
Contact: Dr. Janet Belitsky: 484-596-5430
Meeting Day: 2nd Tuesday of each month
Meeting Time: 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Format: Meetings are held in person and via Zoom. If interested in attending, please call 484-596-5430 ext. 5606 to leave name, address, and email address, and a link to the meeting will be sent to you. You will be added to the group. Meeting is an open discussion format with opportunity for support, networking, and resource sharing. We do have occasional speakers and two social events throughout the year.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Elkins Park
Name: Brain Injury Empowerment Group
Location: Moss Rehab Elkins Park Campus, Drucker Brain Injury Center
Address: 60 East Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027
Contacts: Kelsey McIntyre, Kelsey.mcintyre@jefferson.edu
Meeting Day: 2nd Monday of each month
Meeting Time: 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Format: Only meeting virtually, please email Debbie for details and a meeting link.
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PHILADELPHIA COUNTY
Philadelphia
Name: Brain Injury Support Group
Location: Magee Rehabilitation
Address: 1513 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Contacts: Vilma Mazziol: 215-587-3024; vilma.mazziol@jefferson.edu
Meeting Day: 1st Wednesday of each month
Meeting Time: 5:30 PM
Format: Meeting virtually, please call for details.
This group is geared toward the needs of persons with brain injury and family members.
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Philadelphia
Name: Patient & Family Stroke Support Group
Location: Magee Rehabilitation Hospital
Address: 1513 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Contacts: Vilma Mazziol: 215-587-3024; vilma.mazziol@jefferson.edu
Meeting Day: Third Wednesday of the month
Meeting Time: 3:00 PM
Format: Meets in person and virtually.
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Philadelphia
Name: Wendkos Stroke Club
Location: Magee Riverfront
Address: 1500 S. Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA
Contacts: Frtiz Louis Jean
Meeting Day: First Tuesday of the month
Meeting Time: 11:00 AM
Format: Meets in person. This group of outpatients meets monthly to socialize, share information, and plan outings and events.
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Philadelphia
Name: A SUPPORT GROUP FOR CAREGIVERS: Coping with Changes After Brain Injury
Location: Good Shepherd Penn Partners, 1800 Lombard Street, Philadelphia - Multipurpose Room
Contact: Jess Plowman, MS, OTR/L: 215-893-6324
Meeting Day: First and Third Wednesday of each month
Meeting Time: 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Format: This is a support group specifically for caregivers and families of survivors of brain injury. The group is run by the inpatient brain injury interdisciplinary team consisting of health professionals from the therapy department, case management, and neuropsychology. It is an informal group that provides caregivers with a forum to share experiences, resources and strategies for coping during this challenging transition.
**Please RSVP IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE GROUP, please email or call beforehand to complete the brief questionnaire so we can best meet your needs. Thank you.
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Philadelphia
Name: Penn Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group
Location: Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Heart and Vascular Pavilion
Address: 51 N. 29th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Contact: Alexa Walter; tbisupportgroup@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Meeting Day: 4th Monday of each month
Meeting Time: 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Format: Meeting in-person and virtually via Zoom, please email Alexa for details.
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