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Support groups and classes

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VA Houston health care | support groups and classes | Veterans Affairs
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The VA Houston Healthcare System offers a wide variety of support groups and classes for both Veterans and family members. Talk with a social worker in your Prime Care Clinic for more information.
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Cancer Support Groups

Surviving cancer can be physically and mentally challenging, but you are never alone. Join a virtual support group to share your story, hear others' experiences, and learn about your condition. Veteran-focused, confidential, and facilitated by cancer psychologist. Veterans and family members are welcome. Call-in groups are open to everyone and do not require an appointment.

RSVP or more information:  Contact your Cancer Specialist or Elizabeth Conti, PhD, at 713-791-1414, ext. 27987. 

Breast Cancer
  • When: Second Tuesday of every month
  • Time: 11:00 a.m. via Zoom
  • Sign up: Dr. Bethany Aiena, 832-450-6137
Vets Helping Vets (General cancer support group)
  • When: Third Tuesday of every month
  • Time: 11:00 a.m. via telephone conference call
Prostate Cancer
  • When: Fourth Tuesday of each month
  • Time: 11:00 a.m., via telephone conference call
Urology Stress Management
  • When: Every Wednesday
  • Time: 11 a.m., via telephone conference call

Caregiver Support Group (PCAFC)

Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

This monthly support group is open to PCAFC caregivers of Veterans. The group will provide information about various VA and community resources while providing caregivers with a time to interact and ask questions. 

  • When: Fourth Wednesday of each month, 11:00 a.m. to noon.
  • Where: Virtually
  • VA Outpatient Clinics: Beaumont, Conroe, Galveston, Lake Jackson, Lufkin, Texas City, and Tomball.
  • POC: Kimberly Robison, Caregiver Support Social Worker, 713-791-1414, ext. 28634
  • More information: VA Caregiver Support Program

Caregiver Support Group (general)

Program of General Caregivers

This monthly support group is open to general caregivers of Veterans. The group will provide information about various VA and community resources while providing caregivers with a time to interact and ask questions. 

  • When: Fourth Thursday of each month, 11:00 a.m. to noon.
  • Where: Virtually
  • VA Outpatient Clinics: Beaumont, Conroe, Galveston, Lake Jackson, Lufkin, Texas City, and Tomball.
  • POC: Michelle King-Thompson, Caregiver Support Program Social Worker, 713-791-1414, ext. 28634

Caregiver Support Group 

Caregivers of Aging Veterans

This weekly support group is for those who provide care for Veterans aged 60 and older. The group discusses cognitive health (neuropsychology), physical health/medical course of aging (geriatric medicine), managing behavioral changes (psychology), and future planning (social work). The group will provide information about various VA and community resources while providing caregivers with a time to interact and ask questions. 

  • When: Wednesdays, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
  • Where: Via Zoom or telephone
  • POC: Group facilitators Dr. Brian Miller at 713-791-1414, ext. 23297 and Dr. Tabina Choudhury at 713-791-1414, ext. 26982.

Epilepsy Support Group

Patients can learn skills to manage living with epilepsy and improve quality of life. It is also an opportunity to meet with Veterans with epilepsy.

  • When: Second Friday of every month.
  • Where: Virtually
  • Sign up: Melissa Fadipe, 713-794-8835. 

MOVE! Weight Management Groups

MOVE! has several virtual options for Veterans.

  • MOVE! 16-Week Virtual Weekly Groups
  • MOVE! Telephone Group
  • MOVE! Diabetes Virtual Program
  • MOVE! Virtual Fitness Classes: Mondays at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday at 8 a.m., and Fridays at 8 a.m. 

For more information about on the MOVE! Weight Management Program, please contact the MOVE! Coordinator: Jordyn Forsyth at 832-781-0452 or by messaging the MOVE! Program in secure messaging on My HealtheVet.

Parkinson's Disease Education/Support Group (PADRECC)

  • When: Teleconference first Thursday of each month. 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
  • Where: Microsoft Teams meeting, 469-551-3381, Conference ID 668 286 824#
  • POC: Group Facilitators: Sally Samuel, 713-794-8410; Beth Boncher, RN, BSN, 713-870-7878;  or Olga Diverse, 713-794-7842 

Stroke Support Group

Provides health education and a supportive environment to stroke survivors and their families.

  • When: Second Wednesday of every month, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
  • Where: Zoom 
  • Meeting ID: 161 513 5174
  • Passcode: 431166
  • Phone: 669-254-5252
  • POC: Karen Iyere, NP-C, Stroke Coordinator for Stroke Center, 713-791-1414, ext. 28079.

Specific objectives are:

  • To provide open discussion and learning opportunities in a supportive setting.
  • To provide resources for support, counseling, and education on stroke and its progression as well as rehabilitation.
  • Provide stroke survivors and their families a place to get answers after a stroke.
  • Provide peer support, hope, and encouragement.

    Tobacco Cessation Group 

    Thinking about quitting? Let us help you! When you’re trying to quit tobacco, counseling or medication increase your chance of success. Using these two together offers the best chance of quitting. From casual self-help to one-on-one counseling, your VA has options to help you quit for good.

    Join our tobacco cessation group. We are currently offering group participation by video and telephone conference only.

    • When: Thursdays, 1:00 p.m.
    • Where: Join Webex meeting
    • Phone: 404-397-1596
    • Access code: 276 145 58532#

    The group meets weekly for 60 minutes and you can start attending at any time. This is a drop-in group; no referral is required. There is no co-pay for attending tobacco treatment

    Find out more about tobacco cessation at VA Houston or contact Dr. Zina Peters at 281-797-8662.

      Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, and Gender Questioning Support Group: Bravely Becoming Real

      A group for that offers a safe place for transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender questioning Veterans to discuss and explore topics related to identity, relationships, military and VA culture, coming out, stigma, sexuality, health, grief, stress, current events, and many more.

      • When: We are taking referrals to contact Veterans when group is reinitiated.
      • POC: If you are interested in participating or finding out more about the group, please contact Dr. Hiram Rivera-Mercado, 281-217-9028.

      Veteran’s Amputee Support Team (VAST)

      Friends and family are welcome to attend as well.

      • When: Last Tuesday of each month, 2:00 p.m.
      • Where: Virtually
      • Sign up: Bismy Joseph, Amputation Rehabilitation Coordinator, 713-791-1414, ext. 28054

      Whole Health 

      Our Whole Health approach empowers and equips you to take charge of your health, well-being, and quality of life. Whole Health goes beyond your illnesses, injuries, or disabilities, and focuses instead on your values, goals, and overall health. Whole Health offers:

      • Chiropractic Care
      • Meditation and mindfulness training
      • Education class: Taking charge of my life and health
      • Maternity care
      • Yoga and Tai Chi

      Find out more about our Whole Health program.