Support Groups

In-person support groups cancelled

Virtual support groups are now forming. See below for information.

ADD

For adults with attention deficit disorder. Meets the third Wednesday of each month.

ALS

ALS group is for those adults diagnosed with ALS, their family members, friends and caregivers. Meets the first Tuesday of each month, 2-3:30 p.m.

Bereavement

Grief groups provide a safe place to share your loss and journey through your grief, with the understanding support of other bereaved persons. They provide acceptance of your own unique journey, and how your loss is affecting you. You may find that what you are feeling is a normal grief response. You are not required to talk if you don’t wish to. Groups are open.

  • Thurston County: Meets the first and third Mondays of each month (excluding holidays), 10-11:30 a.m. via Zoom videoconference.
  • Mason County: Meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month (excluding holidays), 2-3:30 p.m. via Zoom videoconference.

For more information, call 360-401-0417.

Brain Injury

Organized by the Washington State Head Injury Foundation. For persons/survivors of head injury, families and caregivers. Meets the second Tuesday of each month, 6-7:30 p.m. For information, call 360-878-7240 or send an email to learn more.

Breastfeeding

Free drop-in virtual support group for breastfeeding moms. We meet every Tuesday, 2-4 p.m. via Zoom meeting. If you’d like to participate, please call 360-486-4070 on the day of the meeting to confirm the group is meeting that day. Mothers and infants are welcome to join the group at any time. We encourage you to bring your baby ready to feed.

To join, go to zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID 824-906-1626.

Cancer Counseling

Free, for individuals diagnosed with cancer. Offered by a licensed oncology social worker. For more information, call 360-493-7960.

Enhancing Life Through the Cancer Journey

A diagnosis of cancer is life-transforming. It can make you feel frightened and isolated. This professionally facilitated virtual support group is a safe place to talk about feelings that may be difficult to discuss with family and friends. Meets the first and third Thursday of each month, 6:30-8 p.m. To learn more, call Cobie Whitten, PhD 360-789-7576 or Mae Kessler 360-912-9041.

Family-to-Family: Mental health education program

Sponsored by the Thurston-Mason Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness nami.org, this is a 12-week program for families of individuals with mental illness (a.k.a. brain disorders), taught by trained family members.

Sessions begin in January, May and September each year. Classes are two-and-a-half hours, once a week, for 12 weeks. All course materials are provided free of charge.

For information, call the NAMI Thurston Mason Office, 360-493-6021.

Living with Cancer

A virtual support group for anyone living with any type of cancer, from diagnosis through post-treatment. Family members, caregivers and friends are welcome. This group offers a professionally facilitated and non-judgmental space to share your experiences, connect with others and learn in community about what it means to live with, and beyond cancer. You do not need to be a Providence patient to participate.

Meets the first and third Wednesday of each month, 2-3:30 p.m. For more information, contact Mae Kessler: call 360-912-9041 or send an email to living with cancer support group.

Mended Hearts

For cardiac patients and their families. Meets the second Thursday of each month, 2 - 4 p.m. Contact Diane Caputo, 360-705-1271, for details. For more information visit Mended Hearts website.

NAMI Family Support

This support group is for family members who need support and understanding as they help a loved one who is suffering from mental illness or brain disorders. No programs are currently offered in person due to COVID-19 restrictions, but you can sign up at nami.org. Contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness Thurston/Mason office to learn more; call 360-493-6021 or send an emai to NAMI Family Support.

Overeaters Anonymous

A 12-step support group for people suffering from compulsive overeating. Meets Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. To learn more, call Katherine, 360-786-8886 or leave a confidential message at 360-491-8406.

Pregnancy After Loss (PALS)

Information Line only. Call 360-923-0344.

Prostate Cancer - Us Too

The Olympia Prostate Cancer Support Group is a local chapter of the National Prostate Cancer organization (USTOO) whose mission is to provide information and support to men with Prostate Cancer. Our meetings are informal and focus on both information and support for men with recent Prostate Cancer diagnoses and more advances cases, and their caregivers. Also, for those men who just have Prostate Cancer questions or concerns.

Meets the third Tuesday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m. Due to the current Covid restrictions we are only holding virtual (Zoom) meetings. Our meetings are open to all men that have Prostate Cancer concerns and their caregivers. To request an invitation (link) to our meetings, send an email to Olympia Prostate Cancer Support Group or call Paul: 206-419-3802. All inquiries are welcome.

For additional information, call Paul, 206-419-3802; Burt, 360-890-1141; or John, 360-791-0949; or visit olyustoo.org.

P.S. - A Perinatal Loss

A support group for those experiencing stillbirth, newborn death or miscarriage. Meets the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. For more information call Teresa, 360-493-7240 or St. Peter Hospital 360-491-9480.

SoundCareKids

For families with children who have suffered a loss. An educational group meets concurrently to help parents/guardians meet their children's needs. Call 360-493-5928 to learn more.

Stop Smoking

For anyone trying to quit or who has quit smoking. Meets every Wednesday, 7-8 p.m. Call 360-451-3935 or 360-456-1149 for more information.

Stroke Club

For stroke survivors, their families and caregivers. Meets the second Sunday each month at 3 p.m. For more information, call 360-786-9258.

Touch of Strength

Provides a forum for mutual problem solving and support for breast cancer patients. Meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month, 7-8:30 p.m. To learn more call Sylvia, 360-943-7032 or 360-459-8062, or the American Cancer Society 800-ACS-2345