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Online Support Group Directory Page 2

Links to Washington State, national and international support groups (many with contacts for local chapters) providing help and support for a great variety of problems and conditions.  Alphabetical listing by subject.  [In Washington State, also see Group Therapy]

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - K -
M - N - O - P - R - S - T - V - W

Return to page one of support groups

[  --G--  ]


Gamblers Support Group -- Compulsive Gambling Support Groups

Ban Yourself!  An interesting concept and a new website with online support groups for teens and adults.

Christian addiction recovery support group,
12 Warning Signs of Problem Gambling!

MDJunction.com: Compulsive Gambling Support Group. A community of patients, family members and friends dedicated to dealing with Compulsive Gambling, together.

Gamblers Anonymous (for help with gambling problems)
International Service Office

P.O. Box 17173, Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 386-8789 - Fax (213) 386-0030

National Council on Problem Gambling The National Problem Gambling Helpline Network (800.522.4700) is available toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week everywhere in the U.S. All calls are strictly confidential.

The WAGER: WEEKLY ADDICTION GAMBLING EDUCATION REPORT, The division on Addictions at Harvard Medical School

 


Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Support Group

Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender
health webpages

GayAlcoholics.com: a good starting point for finding Twelve Step and other gatherings in different locations, all focusing on the needs of gay men and lesbians. Nationwide listing and links to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender AA groups.

Honolulu Gay Support Group is the longest-running weekly Gay-supportive discussion group known anywhere.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbian and Gays (PFLAG) is a national non-profit organization with over 250,000 members and supporters and over 500 affiliates in the United States.

Support groups for gays in Washington State (and nationally)  are listed under the heading "Hot Links" on this Washington State Department of Health website.

Gilda's Club Seattle: Gay/Lesbian (LGBT) cancer support and networking groups beginning summer 2005 at Gilda's Club Seattle. Our free cancer support groups are for anyone living with cancer, their families, partners and friends. Telephone: (206) 709-1400.

Seattle Support Group for Women "Coming Out" After 30: Thursdays, 7:30-9:00 p.m., ongoing, drop-in by 7:30 p.m.  Join Dunshee House's ongoing, peer-facilitated, and completely confidential drop-in support group for women, over the age of thirty, who are "coming out" as queer, lesbian, or bisexual or who are questioning their sexuality.  For more information, please call the Dunshee House, 303 17th Avenue East, Seattle, WA. (206) 322-2437.

Also see: Seattle MS Support Group, below.

 


 
Genetic Support Groups Canadian Directory

 


The Glaucoma Foundation Youth Support Group

 

 
Grandparents Support Group

Find a Grandparents Support Group--Locator Service--Source: AARP.org
 

 

 
Grief, Loss & Bereavement
Support Group

College students grieving an ailing or deceased loved one: The National Students of AMF (Ailing Mothers & Fathers) Support Network is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support all college students with an ailing or deceased loved one, empower all college students to fight back against terminal illness, and raise awareness about the needs of grieving college students.

Compassionate Friends: Grief support after the death of a child

GriefShare Find a group that helps as you grieve the loss of a family member or friend.

Grief support for people who have lost parents, or whose parents are in the process of dying. Also for adult children who have parents in persistent vegetative states.

AARP [American Association of Retired People] grief support by trained volunteers. Family members, friends and co-workers who have lost a loved one are encouraged to call this line for support with their grief.  1-866-797-2277 toll free, 9am - 9pm EST, Daily.  The service is confidential and is available in 140 languages and dialects. National Relay Service for the hearing impaired and the speech disabled is available.  There is also online sharing and support.

Military: death of a loved one serving in the armed forces.  Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors is a national non-profit organization committed to helping families, friends and military service members who have been affected by the death of a loved one serving in the armed forces.

Pet Loss Grief Support Website, when a beloved pet passes on.

See also: Parenting Support Groups.

[  --H--  ]


Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis Support Groups play an important role in their efforts to empower patients and their families.  Participants gain increased knowledge from speakers, facilitators and other patients.  They develop and improve coping skills.

Janis & Friends Hepatitis C Support Web Site. We hope to answer many of your questions. What is Hepatitis C and it's symptoms? What is a biopsy? Do you need help with understanding your Hepatitis C tests?  What are the latest treatments, & their side effects.  Locating a support group in your area.

Sandi's Crusade Against Hepatitis C: designed to support the plight of HCV sufferers everywhere.

 

 
Herpies Support Groups

SSNA, The Social Support Networking Alliance, a list of local and international groups for people concerned about Herpes, Human Papillomavirus (Genital Warts) and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

 

 
"Hoarding" Support Group

Yahoo! HEALTH: Messiness-and-Hoarding--a self-help group for hoarders.

MA: Messies Anonymous: Home of the Organizer Lady

OCF: Obsessive Compulsive Foundation--Compulsive Hoarding Website-- Support Groups for Compulsive Hording.

COH (Children of Hoarders) For the Adult Children of Compulsive Hoarders, Washington State.  Excellent resources of many types.

 

 
HPV Support Groups
[ Human Papilloma Virus ]

13 states have at least one support group for persons concerned about HPV and cervical cancer prevention.

 

[  --I--  ]

 


Incest Support Group

Incest Survivors Anonymous , an international self-help, mutual-help recovery program for men, women, and teens that is run for and by survivors. For local meetings, look for their telephone listing in the business section of the white pages of your local telephone book

Survivors of Incest Anonymous World Service Office, Inc. a resource for survivors of child sexual abuse. Survivors of Incest Anonymous is "a self-help group of women and men, 18 years or older, who are guided by a set of 12 Suggested Steps and 12 Traditions, along with some slogans and the Serenity Prayer.  There are no dues or fees. Everything that is said here, in the group meeting or member to member, must be held in strict confidence. We do not have any professional therapist working in our group.  SIA is not a replacement for therapy or any other professional service when needed.  The only requirement for membership is that you are a victim of child sexual abuse, and you are not abusing any child."

SIA defines incest very broadly as a sexual experience by a family member or by an extended family member that damaged the child. "Extended family" may include an aunt, uncle, in-law, step-parent, cousin, friend of the family, teacher, coach, another child, clergy or anyone that you were led to trust.

The SIA Website contains a list of several types of meetings--some in person, some over the telephone, and others via the internet. For a full meeting directory see: meeting schedule information.  [ Email form ]
 

 

[  -- K --  ]

 

Kleptomania / kleptomaniac and related problems
Kleptomanic (misspelling)
 


Klinefelter's Syndrome Support Group

Klinefelter Syndrome and Associates--(888) 999-9428 The XXY guy: newsletter, support groups, information.

 

[  --M--  ]


Mental Health Consumer's Self-Help Clearinghouse

 


Dissociative Identity Disorder [Multiple Personality Disorder] Support Group

In the Seattle Area, Amazing Multiples is a peer-facilitated social and support group for multiples

 


Multiple Sclerosis MS Support Groups

Multiple Sclerosis Online Support 
Message boards, daily chats, e-mail and more for multiple sclerosis patients The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and a national listing of MS Support Groups.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Seattle:  Support group for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Partners and care providers are also welcome! Provides a safe environment to express your concerns, frustrations and the impact of MS on your life or on that of a loved one. Talk openly, freely about challenges and achievements. The group is called LGBT MS Connection and is now meeting at the Swedish Education & Conference Center, Cherry Hill Campus, James Tower, 550 17th Avenue, Seattle, Room E.   Enter off 17th/Jefferson or 18th entrance; 1st floor. 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8:00pm.  For further information contact Shelly Henry at (206) 250-5002 or Send an email.
   

[  -- N--  ]


National Coalition for Patient Rights
--a nonprofit organization of medical professionals and concerned citizens working to restore confidentiality to healthcare.

 

 
Nicotine Support Groups

Nicotine-Anonymous.org: a 12 step support group for those who want to stop smoking.  Also, information on how to start a group in your area.

   [  -- O--  ]


Obsessive Skin Picking Support Groups
also called: compulsive skin picking (see Dermatillomania)

First recommended step: see a Dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in skin problems to eliminate physical problems.  When appropriate, the dermatologist may be able to refer you to local licensed mental health counselors with experience in cognitive behavioral therapy.  See medical discussion of possible serious effects and effective treatment of pathological skin-picking.

Skin Picking Recovery--share support, tips for quitting, progress journals, social dialogue, and information about Obsessive Skin Pickers Anonymous (OSPA) 12 Steps to Recovery.

On-Line Discussion: I am an obsessive picker...SOMEone Help Me!


Overeaters Support Groups

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS Try the questionnaire: Are You a Compulsive Overeater?

See also: Eating Disorder Support Groups

[  --P--  ]


Parent Support Groups

North American Council on Adoptable Children -- parent support group page contains links to adoption-related groups from across the United States and Canada.

"Because I Love You" is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting parents with troubled children of any age.

NAMI--The Nation's Voice on Mental Illness--has a state organization in all 50 states as well as in Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. There are also more than 1,200 local affiliates spanning all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico.  
[NAMI Washington State (425) 990-6404]

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

  Puget Sound Area: : Parent Support for Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Newborn Death. We offer parent-to-parent support for families enduring miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn death. We have several support group meetings around the Puget Sound area including pregnancy after a loss meetings and also offer an online message board.

Also, see individual problem topics on this page.


Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome
Support Groups

PSAS Support Group Online: Jean Lund started a PSAS website and support group.
  


Pet Loss Support Groups

Lost a dog, cat, horse or other pet?  The following groups offer support activities for persons dealing with grief and loss over the death or disappearance of a loved pet (including pets that must be  euthanized--or "put down"--for humane reasons).

The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement web site is staffed by volunteers and offers a number of support activities.

In the Pacific Northwest (Puget Sound Washington) region:
(1.) Washington State University has a Pet Loss Hotline on their website and other helpful information.
(2.) Seattle Animal Shelter has a Pet Loss Support Group that meets  every Thursday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 in the Conference Room, 2061 15th Avenue West in Seattle, Washington.  There is no fee to attend.  Donations to the "Help the Animals Fund" are welcome and appreciated.  Facilitator: Connie Starr.  Phone: (206)375-5028 [ or send an email.]

 


Polio and Post-Polio Support Groups

Where Can I Find a Polio Support Group? (Canada, United States and territories, and international)

 

 


Postpartum Depression and
Postpartum Mood Disorder Support Groups

Postpartum Support International: Find a PSI social support group, read about postpartum mood disorder, take a postpartum self-assessment test.  Participate in Postpartum Communication Forums plus chat and email.

Postpartum Support International of Washington: Provides a variety of information regarding postpartum depression and other postpartum mood disorders and related problems--includes a list of free or low cost groups or classes at various locations in Washington State that focus on providing postpartum support or provide information or emotional support for parents and families.  Washington State Support Groups. 

 

 


Post Traumatic Stress Disorder  -- PTSD

PTSD Anonymous (PTSDA) was started in 2008, by concerned veterans and returnees in Washington State, PTSD Anonymous aims to eventually establish a nationwide network of local, veterans-lead support group meetings for those suffering from military trauma and seeking the fellowship of their peers.

 

 

HOPE Help Overcoming Professional Exploitation
when a professional in a position of power, authority, or trust can take advantage of us in ways we may have never imagined possible, this site provides a helpful resource for victim/survivors, their family and friends, the general public, and for victim advocates and professionals.
   

 
 

[  -- R --  ]


Rape Support Groups

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
(800) 656-4673.  RAINN does not currently provide online counseling.  Call for information on how to reach a counselor in your community.

Extensive database: search by zip code or state for local rape crisis hotlines, or for specialized services such as groups for male, elderly, teen or disabled survivors, programs for people under age 12, spouses or family members, adults molested as children or GLBT survivors, as well as services via TTY, in Spanish or other languages.

     

 
Reactive Attachment Disorder
Support Groups
    

Happy Mom Anna: provides online support for families who have adopted special needs or waiting children. Many families adopt an older child only to find there are attachment issues and other problems. Become part of their Forum Community.

Older Child Adoption Discussion Forum for parents at all stages of the adoption journey. Come read, share information, or ask for ideas. The Older Child Adoption Forum is part of the Older Child Adoption website.

 

     

 
Recovery Support Groups
    

Recovering Couples Anonymous: Groups throughout the US and in other countries.  We are couples committed to restoring healthy communication, caring and greater intimacy to our relationships. We suffer from many addictions and co-addictions; some identified and some not, some treated and some not. We also come from different levels of brokenness. Many of us have been separated or near divorce. Some of us are new in our relationships and seek to build intimacy as we grow together as couples. [Look under "Couples Resources" for local meetings.]

 

     

[  -- S--  ]  


Schizophrenia Support Groups

Schizophrenia Self-Help Groups a listing of support organizations in the USA for people with schizophrenia and their families.

Schizophrenia.com--the best schizophrenia site I have ever seen.  Extensive information for family and friends--resources, success stories, support groups.
 

     


Scoliosis Support Groups

The Internet Scoliosis Club, started in of 1997, is for patients with scoliosis and their families. Check out our information on scoliosis and our support groups. [Opening page difficult to read--blue links on black background.]

Scoliosis Support Group (An MSN online group) This is for people who have scoliosis and their loved ones. We share information and support. You must want to become part of a "family" whose binding tie is the back condition called scoliosis.

Spine Kids providing a community that supports kids and families living with scoliosis in a safe, fun environment on the Web.  Message Exchange (there are boards for kids & parents) play and download games, and read stories from SpineKIDS just like you.

     


Seattle area
-- Anonymous (12-Step) Groups
This page is part of the Peace Heathens' 
Seattle Crisis Resource Directory.

      


Self Harm Support Groups

SIARI--the Self Injury and Related Issues website, dealing with "deliberate self-harm (DSH), self-harm, self-mutilation, self-inflicted violence (SIV), self-cutting, parasuicide, and self-abuse....an expression of acute psychological distress. It is an act done to oneself, by oneself, with the intention of helping oneself rather than killing oneself. Paradoxically, damage is done to the body in an attempt to preserve the integrity of the mind."  (Caution: This site contains potentially triggering material. Please keep yourself safe when browsing the pages.  ("Triggering" material means topics or stories that might trigger thoughts of self harm.)
 

      


Seizure Support Groups
See: Epilepsy Support Groups

      

 

Senior Citizen Support Groups

Senior Citizens League (TREA)
Social Security, Medicare, and Senior Citizen Information. The Actionable Online Library & Guide

Search hint:  most senior support groups are local.  Search for them using a search phrase "senior support group"  Enter the phrase followed by your city name or county name and your state.

 


Sex / Sexual Abuse Survivor Support Group

Male Survivor: National Organization against Male Sexual Victimization.

SA Support -- Sexual Abuse Support Group. (We are NOT victims, but we ARE survivors!)

Sexual abuse survivors who have been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder

Also: see abuse support group (page 1.)  Rape Support Group (above).


Sexual Addiction

Sex Addicts Anonymous, is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so they may overcome their sexual addiction and help others recover from sexual addiction or dependency.

Sexual Compulsives Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other, that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from sexual compulsion. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop having compulsive sex.

For the partner, spouse, or family member of a sex addict:
International Service Organization Of COSA, "a recovery program for men and women whose lives have been affected by someone else's compulsive sexual behavior. In COSA, we find hope whether or not there is a sexually addicted person currently in our lives. With the humble act of reaching out, we begin the process of recovery."

 


Shoplifting, Fraud, Kleptomania and Embezzlement Recovery Support Group

Shoplifters Anonymous: Recovery from "addictive-compulsive" dishonest behavior, primarily shoplifting, fraud, kleptomania and embezzlement. Some local groups, email support. (CASA--Cleptomaniacs --old spelling) is now (as of 2005) known as the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, 1-(800) 848-9595.

Seattle Kleptomaniacs and Shoplifters Anonymous/CASA
Every Wednesday from 7:00-8:30pm at
St. Paul's Church, Room 3, 6512 12th NW, Seattle, WA.
e-mail FirstRock at aol.com for more info.
  

 


Single Parent Support Groups

Parents Without Partners (PWP) provides real help in the way of discussions, professional speakers, study groups, publications and social activities for families and adults to help with the many problems of bringing up our children alone, contending with the emotional conflicts of divorce, never-married, separation or widowhood.

 


Sleep Disorders Support Group

SleepDisorders.Com
Resources for people suffering from sleep apnea, insomnia, sleep walking, restless legs and other disorders.

      


Smoking Cessation Support Group

QuitNet You should stop smoking. It's the most important thing you can do to improve your health.

Quit Smoking Buddies: email contacts with others who are quiting smoking. Yahoo! Groups.

Also, see: Nicotine Anonymous meeting--Seattle


Social Anxiety Support Group 

Social Phobics Anonymous : 12-Step social anxiety support group appears to be relatively new in 2005, consisting of one face-to-face group and set up for national telephone meetings (no charge, but pay your own long distance charges).  Instructions for starting your own local group, suggested books, other resources.

See also: Anxiety Support Group

 


Spiritual Abuse Recovery
: Christian Recovery International resources relating to "Spiritual Abuse."  Spiritual abuse occurs when someone in a position of spiritual authority, the purpose of which is to ‘come underneath’ and serve, build, equip and make God’s people MORE free, misuses that authority placing themselves over God’s people to control, coerce or manipulate them for seemingly Godly purposes which are really their own.

 


Stuttering Support Group

[also sometimes called "stammering" ]

Bill Parry's Stuttering Links  Bill Parry, now a trial lawyer in Philadelphia, PA, wrestled with a severe stuttering problem for most of his life....He is the founder of the Philadelphia Area Chapter of the National Stuttering Association.

National Stuttering Association Information for parents, children, teenagers, adults, clinicians, educators, physicians and employers.

The Stuttering Foundation  provides free online resources, services and support to those who stutter and their families. 1-800-992-9392

 


SupportGroups.com
SupportGroups.com is a growing online support groups community. Our goal is to bring people together around life's challenges by providing concise, up-to-date information and a meeting place for individuals, their friends and families, and professionals who offer pathways to help.  Support Groups for Alcohol, Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, Drugs, Eating Disorders, Fibromyalgia, Friends/Family of Addicts, Gambling, Grief, Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Infertility, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Parents, Prescription Drugs, or Smoking.

 


Suicide Support Group

Survivors of Suicide-- SOS 

Survivor Support Links --American Association of Suicidology: Survivors Resources, SOS Handbook, and a newsletter.

Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network suicide and suicide prevention  Bereavement, Crisis, Grief & Healing

The book, "Suicide the Forever Decision: For those Thinking about Suicide and for Those who Know, Love and Counsel Them," by Paul Quinnett, Ph.D. is available in a free electronic format to anyone in the world who wishes to read it or share it with others. Electronic copying, translation and distribution is encouraged.

Local SOS King / North Pierce County Suicide Support Group Auburn, WA & info about Olympia, WA

Seattle / King County Survivors of Suicide (SOS) support group offering bereavement counseling to individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide. This is a Crisis Clinic service & meets twice a month 6:30-8:30 pm on the first and third Monday of each month. Call (206) 461-3222 or toll free 1-(866) 427-4747 for location and more information.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK.

[ See also: "Self Harm Support Groups," above.]

 


Support Group Clearinghouse

American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse: A guide for exploring support groups and networks that are available throughout the world and in your community. The self-help groups, contained in the database that you can access by keyword in the box at the bottom, can help you find and/or start a support group in your community.

Mental Health & Psychology Resources Online: Dr. Grohol's annotated directory of mental health resources for professionals and consumers on the Internet.

 

[  -- T--  ]


Tourette Syndrome Association
 
TSA State Chapters and international contacts

 


Trichotillomania Support Site
  [Compulsive Hair Pulling]
 

[  -- V--  ]


Veterans Support Groups

Veterans Organizations and Support Groups

Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Service
 

[  -- W--  ]


Weight Loss Support Group

Good Housekeeping online Weight Loss Support Group

My Diet Buddy, an online support group

Overeaters Anonymous There are no dues or fees to attend worldwide meetings of Overeaters Anonymous. Their program of recovery from compulsive overeating is based on the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous.

 

 

 
Women in Recovery

She's In Recovery: the online community for women in recovery from alcohol or drug addictions of all kinds. Information about special populations: native, youth, lesbian, pregnant, women, African, American, elderly. Resources, links, newsletter, personal recovery pages.

 


Go to: Support Group Page 1 
--A to F--

While we are based in Seattle, King County, in Washington State, we would like this directory to list the best support groups in the United States, North America and internationally.  Since many support groups offer support through online postings, email, blogs, chat room and other techniques, the location of the support group is much less important than in the past.  If you would like to suggest other support group sites, please contact us.  We reserve the right to pick and choose, but there is no charge to be listed here.

NOTE:  Over time website content can change without our knowledge.  If any of these support group links lead to objectionable content, please let me know immediately.

Floyd Else, Webmaster


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