TBI Support Groups

What is a Brain Injury Support Group?

A brain injury support group is a gathering of people who have experienced brain injury (either first-hand or second-hand, such as a family member), who come together for self-expression and encouragement. The group provides a forum for emotional expression within a nurturing environment.

While each group must develop its own identity and membership composition, the most important considerations are 1) identifying who can benefit as a result of participating in a support group and 2) determining how the composition of the constituents can benefit the group as a whole.

A brain injury support group is NOT formal, professional therapy.

Why Have a Brain Injury Support Group?

• Emotional healing comes through interpersonal contact.
• Sharing of similar experiences helps members feel less isolated and more empowered to deal with daily challenges.
• Encouragement comes from learning about the achievements of others who have overcome similar difficulties.
• Contribution helps support group members feel useful and gives meaning to their lives.
• Education results from the exchange of information and personal experiences.
• Socialization establishes and maintains important connections with people and enhances confidence in social skills.
• Self-expression, as emotions are experienced and released, creates a greater understanding of oneself and one's capabilities.
• Confidence building results as members self-direct the support group and work on the problems they all have in common.
• Safety, in the context of a confidential, supportive, non-judgmental environment, allows for honest self-expression and confidence building.
• A sense of growth occurs as long-term members see new participants and reminisce about where they began and how far they have come in their personal journey.

(Brain Injury Association of America)

Support Group Listing in West Virginia

Inclusion of support groups on our site does not imply endorsement nor does exclusion mean we do not think it is valuable. We work to keep our list of support groups current and relevant, but it may not be exhaustive. If you know of a TBI support group in West Virginia that is not included in this list, or if you wish to update any inaccurate information, please email send any information to tbi@hsc.wvu.edu.

Brain Injury Group (BIG) of West Virginia: Caregivers Group

• Where: Virtual zoom: Register here.
  Upon registration, you will receive a zoom link.
• When: Last Friday of the month from 12 -1 p.m. Starting July 30, 2021
• Who: Caregivers and family members of individuals with TBIs are all welcome!
• Contact: Carrie Cobun-Stark, TBI Intake Coordinator at 304 376 7834 OR email ccobun@hsc.wvu.edu.

Monthly Mindfulness Sessions

• Where: Zoom
  Register to attend here:
  https://wvumdtv.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ocuisrzMiEtJrU1VpNSvQV208bhTJDi_h
• Who:People with TBI, Caregivers/Family Members of People with TBI, and Professionals
• When: 3rd Friday of the month from 12-1 p.m.
• Contact: 877-724-8244 or tbi@hsc.wvu.edu with any questions

Brain Injury Group (BIG) of the Eastern Panhandle

• Where: Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9262830895
  Meeting ID: 926 283 0895
• Phone: 19292056099,,9262830895# US (New York)
• When: 2nd Monday every month from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
• Contact: Sharlene Liberto 304-680-2402 – sharlene.liberto@hsc.wvu.edu'

Brain Injury Group (BIG) of Southern WV

• Where :United Methodist Temple,
  201 Templeview Drive,
  Beckley, WV 25801
• When: 3rd Tuesday every month from 12:00 pm-2:00 pm
• Contact: PO Box 5, Beckley, WV 25801
  Shannon Hughart (304-222-1132)
  shannon@pnbwv.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/braininjurywv

Brain Injury Support Group

• Where: Zoom: register using this link: https://wvumdtv.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUkfumqrDoiHtGcd7KgDZbkSoRw1eAva58V
• When: First Thursday of the month from 6-7 p.m.
• Contact: Courtney Pride or Cortland Nesley 877-724-8244 or 304-290-8155 TBI@hsc.wvu.edu or courtney.pride@hsc.wvu.edu

Charleston ACIL TBI Support Group

• Where: In person – 4710 Chimney Drive, Suite C Charleston, WV 25302. Virtual – Please reach out to contact for more details
• When: 2nd Thursday of every month at 12:00 PM
• Contact: 304-965-0376 or britany.starkey@wvacil.org. Please contact to RSVP if you plan to attend.

Empty Frame – A Facebook group for those with lived experience of a Traumatic Brain Injury

• Where: Virtual only
• Contact: Access the page, which includes the point of contact, by using the following link (https://www.facebook.com/groups/899549941084092/)

Out of State Support Groups near WV

Pennsylvania

Sewickley Brain Injury and Stroke Support Group

• Where: Encompass Health Rehabilitation of Sewickley
  351 Camp Meeting Road, Sewickley, PA 15143
• When: 2nd Wednesday of each month. 3:00-4:00 PM
• Contact: Jessica Kuhn, DPT: 412-749-2297, Jessica.Kuhn@encompasshealth.com

Virginia

Brain Injury Connections Central Region Support Group

• Where: Follow announcements via email and on BICSV Social Media channels; somewhere in Rockingham County, VA
• When: 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month @ 1p.m. (1st Thursday is zoom meeting, 3rd Thursday meets somewhere in community)
• Contact: Ashley Dunlap 540-383-2371, ashley@bicsv.org

Brain Injury Connections Southern Region Support Group

• Where: Rosenwald Community Center
  413 Port Republic Road, Waynesboro, VA
• When: 3rd Thursday of each month at 11 a.m.
• Contact: Susan Randolph susanr@bicsv.org 540-830-3213

Greater Shenandoah Valley Brain Injury Support Group

• Where: Village Hall, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community
  1475 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA
• When: Meets 3rd Wed of every other even month at 6:00 PM (2,4,6,8,10)
• Contact: Karen Arnold (540) 421-5610

Salem/Roanoke Area Brain Injury Support Group

• Where: LewisGale Hospital Education Center, Rehab Conference Room
  1900 Electric Rd., Salem, VA 24153
• When: 1st Thursday of each month at noon.
• Contact: Chelsea Taylor chelsea@bisolutions.org 540-344-1200

Synapse at Virginia Tech

• Where: Blacksburg Community Center, in the Social Room.
  725 Patrick Henry Dr, Blacksburg, VA 24060
• When: 6:30-7:30 p.m. once a month (on 10/16, 11/13, and 12/11 of 2024)
• Contact: 540-585-1690 or synapsevirginiatech@gmail.com

Maryland

Frederick TBI Support Group for Survivors; Family & Friends invited

• Where: The Arc of Frederick County 620-A Research Court Frederick, MD 21703
• When: Meetings are held in person on the first Thursday of the month, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Contact: Corby Fowler—The Arc 301-663-0909 x117 or CFowler@arcfc.org
  Pat Latkovski—Group Facilitator (240-446-9607) or info@alicial.com