DONATEGroup support is an important resource for anyone living with a chronic illness. Support groups are led by either trained professionals or peers with extensive personal experience coping with epilepsy and its impact on families and caregivers. These support groups provide knowledge and understanding along with an opportunity for attendees to share experiences and resources in a confidential setting.
Having epilepsy or caring for someone with epilepsy can be very challenging. Things that are often taken for granted- driving, access to medical care, working, learning, building relationships- can be compromised. A support group gives individuals a place to talk about these issues with others who share in this experience and understand what support is needed. It is also a place for information exchange and resource sharing.
We are going virtual for our support groups, visit www.epilepsynorcal.org for more information on virtual support groups schedules and information on how to join:
- Parents/Caregivers Support Group – Every First Wednesday of the Month at 10am
- School aged Support Group – Every Second Tuesday of the Month at 11am (time change dependent on the schools reopening)
- Spanish Support Group – Every Third Thursday of the Month at 4pm
- Adults Support Group – Every Second and Fourth Friday of the Month at 5pm
How does a virtual support group works? Click here for more information
Click here to join any active Support Groups
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ALL IN-PERSON GROUPS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED INDEFINITELY
Below is a list of NorCal epilepsy support groups with details including: date, time, facilitator(s) and contact information. Enter your address or zip code to find support groups near you. If you do not see a group in your area, we welcome you to contact us to begin the process of creating one in your county!
Listed in Alphabetical Order by Location:
Antioch
Families, Friends, Supporters, and Individuals with Epilepsy
Shower of Blessings Church
2200 A Street, Unit B, Antioch, CA 94509
Facilitator: Ms. Phillips- 415-573-4810 / epilepsysupport@missmeme.org
Arcata
Arcata Support Group
Arcata Library Conference Room
500 7th Street, Arcata, CA 95521
1st Wednesday of every month
5:30 – 7:00 PM
Facilitator: Gabriel Brody- 707-496-7688 / gabebrody@gmail.com
Fresno
Easter Seals Epilepsy Support Group
East Medical Plaza Building, 3rd Floor Reception Area
2335 E Kashian Lane, Fresno, CA 93701
1st Thursday of every month
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Facilitator: Ken Hutchinson- 559-824-2959 / kn7701@aol.com
Mountain View
Mountain View Support Group
El Camino Hospital Group – YMCA Building, Basement Room K
2400 Grant Road, Mountain View, CA 94040
1st Thursday of every month
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Facilitator: Stephen Forbes- mv_epilepsysupprtgroup@yahoo.com
March Special Guest: Dr. Jessica Walter from Stanford– Dr. Walter provides clinical care to general neurology patients as well as patients with epilepsy and enjoys teaching residents and medical students. She also has a particular interest in dietary treatments for epilepsy and clinical research.
Oakland
Spanish Support Group – Grupo de Apoyo Para Padres en Español
Epilepsy Foundation of Norther California Offices
Oficinas de La Fundación de Epilepsia del Norte de California
1736 Franklin St. Suite 450
Oakland Ca, 94612
Meets every 3rd Thursday of the Month
Time: 6:00pm- 7:00pm
Fecha: Cada tercer Jueves del Mes
Hora: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Pleasanton
Valley Care Health Library, Suite 270
5725 West Los Positas, Pleasanton, CA 94588
3rd Thursday of every month
6:30 – 8:00 PM
Facilitator: Kim Zamrzla- 925-223-7039 / info@ericscorner.org
Sacramento
Sacramento Adult Support Group
Mercy General Hospital, Mission Conference Room (4000 block of H Street)
4001 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819
2nd Wednesday of every month
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Facilitator: Angie Woodward- 916-930-9252 / angie.woodward@sbcglobal.net
Sacramento
Sacramento Parent’s Support Group
Mercy General Hospital, Mission Conference Room (4000 block of H Street)
4001 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819
2nd Wednesday of every month
7:00 – 8:00 PM
Dr. Edwin A. Cruz, neurologist from Dignity Health, will be speaking to the group about exercise and epilepsy on 3/11/2020
Facilitator: Angie Woodward- 916-930-9252 / angie.woodward@sbcglobal.net
*Angie is in search of someone willing to take over as the lead so please contact her if you’re interested!*
San Francisco *NEW*
4th Sunday of every month
12:00- 2:00 PM
Facilitator: Ben Neff- 317-697-8675 / ben.neff@gmail.com
Webpage: www.meetup.com/meetup-group-PiJUUatz
San Francisco
Adults with Epilepsy & Caregivers Support Group (ADDRESS CHANGED)
California Pacific Medical Center
3223 Buchanan St.
Enright room, main floor
San Francisco, CA
3rd Wednesday of every month
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Facilitators: Diane Del Chiaro- 415-751-1907 / delchiarodiane@gmail.com
Aimee Rodriguez- 415-424 7283
San Francisco
Living with Epilepsy Support Group – TEMPORARY POSTPONED
UCSF Epilepsy Center, 8th Floor, Room A-888
400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143
1st Monday of every month
11:00 – 12:30 PM
Facilitator: Nupur Gupta- nupurgupta.ucsf@gmail.com
San Francisco
Chinese Living with Epilepsy Support Group
UCSF Epilepsy Center, 8th Floor Conference Room
400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143
3rd Friday of every month
3:30 – 4:30 PM
Facilitator: Tina Shih, MD- 415-353-9173 / tina.shih@ucsf.edu
Sanger
Expressions of Courage – Fresno Youth Support Group (ages 5-17)
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
828 O Street, Sanger, CA 93657
Facilitator: Ivana Valdovinos- 559-285-9140 / ivanavaldovinos@yahoo.com
SUDEP Bereavement Online Support Group
http://groups.epilepsy.com/groups/bereavement-support
Contact Info: 800-332-1000 / sudep@efa.org
ONLINE SUPPORT
MyEpilepsyTeam is a free, password-protected social network where you can connect with others in the epilepsy community on your phone, tablet or computer. You can share tips, support, Q&A, provider referrals and more with other people who “get it”.
- MyEpilepsyTeam is a completely independent social network.
- MyEpilepsyTeam NEVER shares the personally identifying information of its members with anyone!
- MyEpilepsyTeam is a monitored site that does not allow selling of any services or products.
For questions or more information about support groups email us at efnca@epilepsynorcal.org