Support Groups at Bryn Mawr Rehab

Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital sponsors a network of support groups to help address issues of healing that you and your family may face. Some of the groups are designed for the person who has experienced the injury, others are directed toward family and friends. The groups all share common goals: to offer information, emotional support, and social contact to people who are meeting similar challenges. Through the groups, you and your family can share feelings and concerns with others who are going through similar experiences.

Adolescent Post-Concussion Group

Open to teens of high school age who are recovering from concussion. The focus of this group is enhancing recovery through positive peer support. Participants are invited to learn from and support each other while having fun. The meetings are facilitated by Dr. Cris Chambers, a clinical psychologist at Bryn Mawr Rehab Psychology Associates. For information and meeting dates, call Dr. Cris Chambers at 484.596.5430.

Amputee Support Group

This group provides information and emotional support for individuals who have experienced amputation of a limb, as well as their family and friends. Coordinated by our staff therapists, who serve as an informational resource, the group members help each other solve practical problems and manage the challenges posed by amputation. The group meets the third Thursday of the month from 5 to 6:30 pm in conference rooms 1-4. For more information, call 484.596.5566.

Aphasia Support Group

This group is designed for people with aphasia to enhance communication and social skills. The group is facilitated by a Speech-Language Pathologist who will assist with group interaction or when there is a breakdown in communication. The objective of the group is to provide a forum for participants to share the frustrations and challenges of aphasia as well as their solutions and to develop social connections. The group meets two times a month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from noon to 12:45 pm in the Horticultural Center. For information, call Dina Weitzman at 484.596.5427.

Brain Injury/Stroke Support Group

This support group welcomes patients and their family and friends. The group is co- facilitated by a neuropsychologist and a certified rehabilitation nurse with a focus on increased independence and adjustment to life after a brain injury or stroke. Experts on the latest research and coping techniques are invited to speak. Family members are sensitized to their loved one's needs and learn how to cope with lifestyle changes. The group meets the second Tuesday of the month from 7 to 8:30 pm in conference rooms 1-4. For more information contact Dr. Cynthia Simonds at 484.596.5430.

Graduates Group for Pain Management

This is a support group led by a psychologist for individuals with chronic pain who have completed the hospital's Comprehensive Pain Program. It was started in 2003 to provide ongoing support and to reinforce the use of constructive pain-coping strategies learned in the RehabWorks Program. The group meets on the last Thursday of each month from 12 to 1 pm.

Neurorehabilitation Caregiver

This group is for caregivers of individuals participating in the hospital's Neurologic Day Program. Both informational and supportive in nature, the group is led by a psychologist and focuses on the impact of changing family roles and responsibilities, and how best to help patients meet their community and vocational reentry goals. The group meets on an as needed basis. For more information, call 484.596.5430.

Spinal Cord Disorders Support Group

This support group offers the opportunity for individuals who have experienced a spinal cord injury or who have a spinal cord disorder to get together and discuss physical changes and social issues that they face daily. Topics such as relationships, nutrition, fitness and driving are discussed as well as occasional guest speakers and group outings. The group meets the fourth Thursday of the month from 6 to 8 pm in the Independent Living Unit. For more information contact Adrienne Young at 484.596.5560.

Inpatient Stroke Support Group

This support group is open to individuals on the inpatient units who have experienced a stroke. The group is led by a psychologist with a focus on adjustment issues following a stroke. Family members are also invited to attend. The group meets every Monday and Wednesday from 3 to 3:30 pm. For more information, call 484.596.5430.

Inpatient Brain Injury Support Group

This support group is open to individuals on the inpatient units who have experienced a brain injury. The group is led by a psychologist with a focus on adjustment and coping issues. Family members are also invited to attend. The group meets every Monday at 3:00 and Thursday at 2:30 pm. For more information, call 484.596.5430.

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Additional Resources and Organizations...

Brain Injury Association
1608 Spring Hill Road, Suite 110
Vienna, VA 22182
703.761.0750 | 1.800.444.6443
Fax: 703.761.0755
www.biausa.org

Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania, Inc.
950 Walnut Bottom Road, Suite 15-229
Carlisle, PA
1.866.635.7097
www.biapa.org

Brain Injury Association of Delaware, Inc.
840 Walker Road, Suite A
Dover, DE 19904
302.346.2083
www.biade.org

Brain Injury Association of Maryland, Inc.
2200 Kernan Dr.
Baltimore, MD 21207
1.800.221.6443
Fax: 410.448.3541
www.biamd.org

Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey, Inc.
825 King George Road, Second Floor
North Brunswick, NJ 08902
732.745.0200
www.bianj.org

Brain Injury Association of New York State, Inc.
10 Colvin Ave.
Albany, NY 12206
518.459.7911 | 1.800.228.8201
www.bianys.org

Long Island Head Injury Association, Inc.
300 Kennedy Drive
Hauppauge, NY 11788
631.543.2245
www.lihia.org

American Stroke Association
7272 Greenville Ave.
Dallas, TX 75231
1.888.4.STROKE
1.888.478.7653
www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/

National Stroke Association
9707 E. Easter Lane, Suite B
Centennial, CO 80112
1.800.STROKES
1.800.787.6537
www.stroke.org

Well Spouse Association
63 West Main Street, Suite H, Freehold, NJ 07728
800.838.0879
732.577.8899
www.wellspouse.org