The mission of The
Wellness Community-West Los Angeles
is to ensure that all
people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge,
strengthened by action, and sustained by community. All programs and
services are provided free of charge.
Group support has been shown to decrease
anxiety and empower members to develop healthy coping skills; and dedicated
groups - groups that meet with the same people each week - provide a unique
experience of trust and community in a caring and uplifting environment.
Our dedicated support groups
are facilitated by licensed psychotherapists where people with cancer and family
members (in separate groups) explore new ways to deal with the disease and
become part of an extended family offering support and encouragement.
If you are interested in joining a
dedicated support group, you must first attend an Orientation meeting, held
Tuesdays 7 -8 pm or Fridays 11 am - 12 pm, then request an interview to determine
appropriate group placement. Dedicated Support Groups meet on Monday mornings, Wednesday evenings, Thursday
mornings, & Thursday evenings.
Networking
groups give people an
opportunity to connect with others who have the same type of cancer or
bring together people with similar issues. These drop-in groups give
attendees a time to share experiences and feelings with others who have
the same diagnosis or situation. Groups are led by licensed
psychotherapist. Read more about each group by clicking on the group
name. See our
calendar
to confirm meeting dates for groups.
Group members and their significant others are welcome to come and discuss
issues and challenges related to living with brain tumors or metastases to the
brain.
This group is for children 7-13 years old who have a parent
with cancer or who have lost a parent with cancer. Children
aged 7-13 may have different feelings about their parent’s
cancer than a younger child may have. We know they need
more information from their parents about their diagnosis
and treatment. They may even want to meet their parent’s
doctor and have their questions answered by him or her.
They too need a place to talk and share their feelings -
just as adults do. This group provides a space where kids
can talk about their parent’s cancer and meet other kids who
really understand what they are going through. They can
feel connected and know that they are not alone.
LIVING WITH CHRONIC CANCER
with Zena Bartholomew, MFT
4th
Wednesday of each month,
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Because of the extraordinary advances in
treatment, cancer is now sometimes thought of as a chronic disease. Support
groups have been shown to reduce anxiety and help people regain a sense of
control in the face of continuing symptoms. If you are dealing with intermittent
or ongoing treatments, this group will help you develop healthy strategies for
living with cancer. This group is not for those who are newly diagnosed.
PANCREATIC
CANCER GROUP FOR PEOPLE WITH CANCER AND FAMILY MEMBERS
with Karen Wurtzel,
LCSW 4th Monday, 5:00
- 7:00 pm
Join with others to exchange information, share feelings, and discuss options
with others. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pancreatic
cancer these groups offer information, education, emotional support and
resources.
PROSTATE CANCER NETWORKING GROUP
with Malcolm Schultz, JD, MFT 2nd Monday of each
month, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Many men may not feel comfortable speaking about heir diagnosis and its
attendant physical or emotional issues with work colleagues, friends,
and perhaps even close family members. This monthly networking group
offers an opportunity to meet in a safe environment with others
similarly situated, to talk about prostate cancer, exchange information,
thoughts and feelings, while you learn more about cancer, options and
education.
Need a little support but
are unable to commit to a weekly group? Not sure if you are
a group person? Try our ‘easy access’ drop-in group. The
group will meet every week at the same time but you can come
as often as you need -- once a month or weekly; no advance
notice is necessary. You decide what works best for you!
Gain support from others who are living with and through
cancer. Come by and give it a try we think you’ll find
support and much, much more!
A group for people who are beyond the day-to-day fight for recovery and wish to
discuss issues and concerns regarding survivorship. Or, if you are in a
participant group, and would like to come meet and speak with survivors, you are
welcome.
WRITING WORKSHOPwith
a TWC-WLA Facilitator
Every Wednesday 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Join a TWC-WLA facilitator and fellow participants to explore the power of the
written word and its impact on your well being. Bring a lunch and join us for an
informative and interactive workshop.
