Make Connections, Get Help With These Local Support Groups

If you’re facing a major illness or stressful life change, you don’t have to go it alone. A support group can help. Support groups bring together people facing similar issues, whether that’s illness, relationship problems or major life changes. Members of support groups often share experiences and advice. It can be helpful just getting to talk with other people who are in the same situation.

While not everyone wants or needs support beyond that offered by family and friends, you may find it helpful to turn to others outside your immediate circle. A support group can help you cope better and feel less isolated as you make connections with others facing similar challenges. A support group shouldn’t replace your standard medical care, but it can be a valuable resource to help you cope. With that in mind, the EAST COBBER is pleased to present this extensive list of local support groups:

A.A./Al-Anon/Al-Anon Beginners/Alateen: Every Monday. 8pm. Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2881 Canton Road, Marietta. More info: 770-973-5347 or jpm105@comcast.net.

Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Support Group: First and 3rd Thursday of each month. 7pm. Room 334, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, 955Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. Men and women welcome. More info: 678-578-4888 or info@voicetoday.org.

Al-Anon: For family and friends of alcoholics.Thursdays. 7:30-8:30pm. Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Room 345, 955 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. More info: 770-587-0483.

Al-Anon Family Group: Wednesdays. 7pm Teens 13 and older welcome. Temple Kol Emeth, 1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta. More info: Paulette L., 678-551-2433.

Alzheimer’s/Caregiver Support Group Meeting: First Monday & Tuesday of each month. 10:30am. Open to family members who are assisting an aging loved one both inside and outside of the home. Free respite care is provided for your loved one while we meet. Aloha to Aging/Mt. Bethel Community Center, 4608 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta. More info or toRSVP: 678-439-1177.

Anxiety Anonymous: for people who suffer from anxiety, meets the 3rd Thursday of the month. 6:30-7:30pm. Cobb County Government Center, 4400 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta. More info: 770-633-1023 or galinabannova@gmail.com

Babywearing Group: Koalamommas, NorthAtlanta’s resource for help, support, and information about baby carriers of all kinds. Meets monthly. Meeting dates/time vary. More info: Jennifer Worrell, jenniferworrell@bellsouth.net or www.bwiofatlant.org.

A.W.A.K.E. Program stands for “Alert, Well, And Keeping Energetic.” A support group for adults who have sleep apnea, their family members and friends, and anyone interested in learning more about sleep apnea. First Thursday of themonth. 5:30-7pm. WellStar East Cobb Health Park, 3747 Roswell Road NE, Marietta. More info: 770-644-1755.

Bereavement Support: Every Wednesday of the month. 5pm. Counseling Room in Parish Office,St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 4905 Roswell Road, Marietta. More info: 770-552-6400, ext. 6020.

Breastfeeding Mommy & Me Group: A lactation consultant is available to facilitate supportive discussions over a variety of topics. Mondays 9:30-11am. WellStar East Cobb Health Park, Marietta, Room 3747 Roswell Road NE, Marietta. More info: 770-793-8088.

Cancer Support Group: Second and 4th Monday of the month. 7-8:30pm. Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, 955 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. More info: 770-794-2978.

Career Transition: Third Monday of the month. 6:30pm. Personal resume reviewing, interviewing, networking, and career assessment help. First Presbyterian Church, 189 Church Street, Marietta. More info: Lee Pence, 770-428-9350, or Bob Sabin, 770-795-9084, or visit www.fpcmarietta.org

Caregiver Support Group: First Monday of the month. 6-7pm. Arbor Terrace, 886 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. More info: 770-977-4420 or ACaudell@arborcompany.com.

Caregiver Support Group: Second Thursday of the month, 12-1pm. Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, 1795 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. More info: 770-977-7473 or eharres@peterandpaul.org.

Compassionate Friend: First Tuesday of each month. 7pm. Assists bereaved families following the death of a child of any age and from any cause. First Baptist Church, 148 Church Street NE, Marietta. More info: Ria 770-973-4921 or www.tcfmarietta.org.

Depression/Bipolar Support Group: First and 3rd Thursday of the month. 7-8:30pm. Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Room 339, 955 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. More info: 770-794-2978.

Diabetes Support Group: A Diabetes Services Social Worker and/or Diabetes Educator facilitates each session. Participants are encouraged to discuss their concerns and share their successes regarding the self-management of their diabetes. Meets 4th Monday of each month except December. 6-7pm. WellStar Health Park, 3747 Roswell Road NE, Marietta More info: 770-793-7828.

Divorce Care: 13-week course beginning the 3rd Wednesday of August, 6:30-8pm Open to all. Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, 955 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. More info: 770-794-2978.

Divorced/Separated Support Group: First and 3rd Tuesday of each month. 7:30pm. St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Mary’s Chapel, 4905 Roswell Road, Marietta. More info: 770-552-6400, ext. 6018.

Divorce Support Group by Visions Anew for women who are contemplating or going through the divorce process. First Thursday of the month, 7-8:30pm. East Cobb Government Center, 4400 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta. More info: www.visionsanew.org.

Divorce Support Group/Divorce Care for Kids: 13-week program beginning September 7, 6:15-8pm. Mt. Bethel UMC (Church Room 8106), 4385 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta. More info/to register: Judith Reichenbach, Licensed Counselor, 770-597-9882.

Diabetes Support Group offered by WellStar Health System: Fourth Monday of the month. 6-7pm except December. East Cobb Health Park, 3747 Roswell Road NE, Marietta. No registration required. More info: 770-793-7828.

Domestic Violence Support Groups: Sessions in English and Spanish. Wednesdays, 6:45-7:45pm. Childcare available for children 6 weeks-12 years. Children over 12 may attend and learn childcare skills. More info: 770-427-3390.

East Cobb Satellite of CHADD (Children & Adults w/Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) Parental Support Group. 2nd Tuesday of the month. 6:30-8pm. Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church (Room B109) on Lower Roswell Road, Marietta. More info: Cappie Suttle, 404-368-9394, east-cobb@chadd.net, or www.chadd.net/300.

Emotions Anonymous, a fellowship of people who come together to work toward recovery from emotional difficulties and discover anew way of life. Tuesdays & Fridays. 7pm. Roswell United Methodist Church, 614 Mimosa Boulevard, Counseling Building, Roswell. More info: 770-330-1991.

Families Anonymous (FA) for families who have loved ones struggling with addiction. Every Tuesday. 7:30-9pm. Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Youth Center, 1770 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. More info: 770-971-1465.

Families of Children Under Stress (FOCUS): To listen, inform and educate, and offer programs for the families and the child with special needs. Last Thursday of the month during school year. 10am. Chick-Fil-A, 1201 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. More info/to confirm meeting date: Angie, 770-234-9111, angie@focus-ga.org,or www.focus-ga.org.

Fractured Families for Parents Estranged from their Children: Second and 4th Sunday. 6:30pm. Call for location. More info: Sandy 404-446-6093 .

Georgia Parkinson’s Association: Parkinson’s Support Group Meets the 3rd Saturday of each month. 1pm. Northside Hospital Cherokee Education Building, 130-B Oakside Court, Canton. More info: James Trussell 706-413-3264 or james@gaparkinsons.org.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group. Second Tuesday each month. 7:15pm. Special guest speaker. Transfiguration Catholic Church,Room 102, 1815 Blackwell Road, Marietta. More info: Jeannie, 770-919-9275.

Grief Support Group: Every Wednesday. 6:30-8:30pm from mid-Fall to mid-Spring. An educational grief support group facilitated by two nationally recognized grief experts, a licensed clinical psychologist and an ordainedpastor. Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, 4385 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta. More info: www.mtbethel.org/support.

Grief Support Group Third Thursday: 7pm of the month. Unity North, 4255 Sandy Plains Road, More info: Kathy Kelcourse for info at kathzkel@yahoo.com.

Grief Share: 13-week program beginning the 3rd Monday of August from 7-9pm. Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, 955 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. More info: 770-794-2978.

JACS (Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent and Significant Others): For Jewishmembers of 12 Step groups. 7-8pm, first and third Tuesdays of every month except on Jewish holidays. Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway, Marietta, in the library. More info: 770-928-2523 or teshuva@aol.com.

Loneliness Bereavement Support Group: Every Wednesday except holidays. 11am. Heritage Hospice, 3315 Hilltop Drive, Marietta. More info: 770-423-5959.

Marietta Moms: For all kinds of moms – new to the area, looking for new friends, or just needing support. Daily events for babies, toddlers, and older kids. 770-956-0318 or 678-357-3661.

Mothers Circle Group: Are you a mother raising Jewish children but you are not Jewish? Free education and support through a 16-week course. Groups are held in Marietta, Intown and North Fulton. More info: Suzette Cohen, suzette@themotherscircle.org or www.themotherscircle.org.

Mothers of PreSchoolers (MOPS): Wednesdays. 6:15-7:15pm. A place where moms can come to build friendships and receive mothering support, practical help and spiritual hope. Childcare provided. Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 1770 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. More info: 770-971-1465 or mtzionmops@gmail.com.

Overeaters Anonymous: A support group for those who suffer from the need to compulsively overeat. Monday-Wednesday-Friday. 10am.St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 4905 Roswell Road, Marietta. More info: Betsy: 404-226-4931.

Parents of Prodigals: For parents of struggling teens and young adults. Second and 4th Thursday. 7-8:30pm. Johnson Ferry BaptistChurch, 955 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. More info: Fair Brocard, 770-612-1197 or www.prodigalchildministries.org.

Parkinson’s Disease Support Group: For persons with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers. Second Sunday each month. 4pm. Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Boulevard, Building A, Roswell. More info: Robin Cleveland, 678-819-3915.

Spousal Support Group: Third Thursday of the month. 12-1pm. Arbor Terrace, 886 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. More info: 770-977-4420 or ACaudell@arborcompany.com.

Veteran’s Information Referral Office (VIRO): Free help and information for all veterans with VA Disability, VA Healthcare, Employment and Counseling. Second and 4th Wednesday eachmonth. First and 4th Saturday each month, 11am-2pm. American Legion, Post 29, 921 Gresham Avenue, Marietta. More info: 770-427-5900.

Widowed Helping Others (WHO): Dinner social. First and 3rd Wednesday of the month. 6pm. St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Nolan Hall, 4905 Roswell Road, Marietta. More info: St. Ann’s Pastoral Care, 770-552-6400 ext. 6018

Women’s Weight Loss Support Group: Join a growing group of local women on the path to weight loss in a non-judgmental environment providing accountability (weekly weigh-in), healthy eating/fitness ideas and activities, and emotional support. Meetings held Tuesdays 6:45-7:45pm. Kroger, 3595 Canton Rd, 2nd Floor Conference Room, Marietta, (New Chastain Corners Shopping Center). More info: Rae Tucker raetucker1@yahoo.com.

 

If you know of another support group not listed above, please let us know email Cynthia@eastcobber.com or leave a comment below.