Cancer Support Groups and Individual Cancer Counseling

Cancer Support Groups

Our Cancer Support Groups are facilitated by licensed mental health professionals (not peer lead groups) who specialize in supportive cancer care. The groups are designed to allow those with cancer, as well as their family and friends, to share concerns, information, resources, and most of all, emotional and social support.

To join a support group, please email programs@cancersupportvvsb.org

Many options to Support People with Cancer

All-Cancer Support Group: weekly groups for people with cancer only that provide an opportunity to give and receive support regardless of the type of cancer.
All-Cancer Support Group with Relaxation Techniques: a weekly group for people with cancer that includes exploration of ways to deal with stress and learn relaxation techniques.
Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Support Group: a weekly group for people that are newly diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
Advanced Stage Breast Cancer Support Group: a weekly group for people with advanced stage breast cancer.
Life After Breast Cancer Survivorship Group: a bi-monthly group for breast cancer survivors.
Gynecological Cancer Support Group: a bi-monthly group for people who are dealing with any type of gynecological cancer.
Prostate Cancer Support Group: a bi-monthly group for people with prostate cancer.
Young Adult Cancer Patients Support Group: a bi-monthly group for young adults with any type of cancer.
Life After Cancer Survivorship Group: a bi-monthly group for any type of cancer survivors.
Women’s All Cancer Support Group: a bi-monthly group for women with any type of cancer.
Simi Valley All Cancer Support Group: a weekly group for people with cancer only that provides an opportunity to give and receive support regardless of the type of cancer.
Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery Support Group: This group provides a safe space where participants can learn a variety of mindfulness-based stress-coping tools and engage in reflection discussions.
Program Guide
Contact us if you don’t see a Support Group that fits your needs

Support for Loved Ones

Caregivers/Family Support Group: weekly support groups, for adult family members of a loved one with cancer.
Bereavement Program: For over 25 years, our bereavement program has been an important part of our commitment to family members whose loved one has died from cancer. We offer two different groups to meet the needs of our community.
- Newly-Bereaved Group: a bi-monthly group for those whose loved one has recently passed.
- Moving Ahead Together Group: a bi-monthly group for those who have moved through the initial rawness of grief. This group is a place for members to share hopes and fears and offer each other strength and support in moving forward toward the future.

Multilingual Groups

Grupo de Apoyo para Latinas con Cáncer: Este grupo está abierto a Latinas con cualquier tipo de cáncer. El grupo ofrece un lugar seguro para compartir pensamientos, sentimientos, y preocupaciones con otras pacientes de cáncer que entienden; y para intercambiar información acerca de cómo enfrentar cáncer. Nadie tiene que batallar el cáncer por si solo. Por favor llama al Centro de Cáncer en el Hospital de San Juan, para más información: 805-988-2641, Gracias.
Grupo de Apoyo para Padres de Niños con Cáncer : Este Grupo es para familias con un niño luchando contra el cáncer, que viven en los condados de Ventura, Santa Barbara y San Luis Obispo. Sabemos que el cáncer afecta toda la familia—y más, los papas. Conociendo que nadie tiene que sentir solo en esta lucha—este grupo ayuda con apoyo y recursos. Llama a Mayetzi para recibir el enlace: 805-617-0847.

Networking Groups for BOTH People with Cancer & Caregivers

Prostate Cancer Networking Group: a monthly group for people with prostate cancer that is open to spouses.
Blood Cancer Networking Group: a monthly support group for any type of blood cancer and their family caregivers

Kids & Family Cancer Support Groups (on hiatus)

“Kids’ Circle” Children’s Support Group
“Parent’s Circle” Parent’s Social Group

Please visit our Calendar to view the dates and times of the Cancer Support Groups through our supportive cancer care community, or contact us.

Individual Counseling

Many of our participants find Individual counseling to be extremely helpful during their cancer journey.

We offer short-term Individual Counseling (approximately 8 sessions) offered to persons diagnosed with cancer and/or their families.

As with Cancer Support Groups, your individualized counseling journey begins by first attending a Newcomer Welcome Orientation.

“It is such a comfort to be with others who truly understand my experience in a way that my loving family and friends cannot. I learn so much from my fellow group members, of both a practical and profound nature. I give and receive support.”
– Kathy MacDonald, member of a People with Cancer Group