Support Groups

In addition to outpatient therapy, many people benefit from attending group therapy or support groups focused on specific behavioral health concerns. Pine Rest offers a variety of structured, educational support groups and group therapy at various clinics and locations, including:

Many other community organizations also offer self-help support groups. For information on these offerings, we suggest you contact your local Community Mental Health agency or your local United Way First Call For Help.

Upcoming Support Groups

June 7, 22, July 13, 27
Family Connection Support Group
This support group meets from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Pine Rest Southwest Clinic, 4211 Parkway Place, Suite 100, Grandville. There is no charge to attend/join this group. Call 222-3700 to register. Facilitator is Jim Vander May, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker.

The Family Connection is a bi-monthly support group for spouses, parents, siblings and other caregivers who are seeking support to more effectively deal with stresses created by the symptoms, behaviors of family members who are diagnosed with a mental illness. Dealing with a family member who has symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and more can be a signifcant stressor for other members or caregivers in the family. Please let us help.

August 5, 12, 19, 26
Early Stage Dementia Support Group
This is a support group with seven sessions on Wednesdays August 5 - September 16 from 1 - 3 p.m. at the Postma Center, Pine Rest Main Campus, 300 68th Street SE. There is no charge -- group is funded by the OAA, Title IIIE Family Caregiver Support Program through the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan. Facilitators area Mary Mathieu, Ph.D., CTRS, with the Alzheimer's Association and Suzann Ogland-Hand, Ph.D., with Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. An intake screening is required. For more information and/or to schedule an intake screening, call the Alzheimer's Association at 616/459-4558 or 800/272-3900.

Early Stage Dementia Support Group provides individuals and their care partners:
- An opportunity to gain support from others who are living with progressive memory loss.
- Information on how to cope.
- Experts to listen and answer questions about the diagnosis and its consequences.
- A connection to vital community resources that can help improve the quality of life for both the person with memory loss and their care partner.

The Early Stage Dementia Support Group is for individuals:
- Recently diagnosed with a progressive memory loss disorder, such as Alzheimer's disease or other dementia who have the ability or willingness to:
- Talk about the diagnosis and the experience of living with memory loss.
- Sit in a group for 45-50 minutes.
- Listen to others and respond socially.
- Work with their care partner to plan for the future.

August 10, 24, September 14, 28
Family Connection Support Group
This support group meets from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Pine Rest Southwest Clinic, 4211 Parkway Place, Suite 100, Grandville. There is no charge to attend/join this group. Call 222-3700 to register. Facilitator is Jim Vander May, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker.

The Family Connection is a bi-monthly support group for spouses, parents, siblings and other caregivers who are seeking support to more effectively deal with stresses created by the symptoms, behaviors of family members who are diagnosed with a mental illness. Dealing with a family member who has symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and more can be a signifcant stressor for other members or caregivers in the family. Please let us help.

September 2, 9, 16
Early Stage Dementia Support Group
This is a support group with seven sessions on Wednesdays August 5 - September 16 from 1 - 3 p.m. at the Postma Center, Pine Rest Main Campus, 300 68th Street SE. There is no charge -- group is funded by the OAA, Title IIIE Family Caregiver Support Program through the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan. Facilitators area Mary Mathieu, Ph.D., CTRS, with the Alzheimer's Association and Suzann Ogland-Hand, Ph.D., with Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. An intake screening is required. For more information and/or to schedule an intake screening, call the Alzheimer's Association at 616/459-4558 or 800/272-3900.

Early Stage Dementia Support Group provides individuals and their care partners:
- An opportunity to gain support from others who are living with progressive memory loss.
- Information on how to cope.
- Experts to listen and answer questions about the diagnosis and its consequences.
- A connection to vital community resources that can help improve the quality of life for both the person with memory loss and their care partner.

The Early Stage Dementia Support Group is for individuals:
- Recently diagnosed with a progressive memory loss disorder, such as Alzheimer's disease or other dementia who have the ability or willingness to:
- Talk about the diagnosis and the experience of living with memory loss.
- Sit in a group for 45-50 minutes.
- Listen to others and respond socially.
- Work with their care partner to plan for the future.

October 12, 26, November 9, 23
Family Connection Support Group
This support group meets from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Pine Rest Southwest Clinic, 4211 Parkway Place, Suite 100, Grandville. There is no charge to attend/join this group. Call 222-3700 to register. Facilitator is Jim Vander May, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker.

The Family Connection is a bi-monthly support group for spouses, parents, siblings and other caregivers who are seeking support to more effectively deal with stresses created by the symptoms, behaviors of family members who are diagnosed with a mental illness. Dealing with a family member who has symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and more can be a signifcant stressor for other members or caregivers in the family. Please let us help.

December 14, 28
Family Connection Support Group
This support group meets from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Pine Rest Southwest Clinic, 4211 Parkway Place, Suite 100, Grandville. There is no charge to attend/join this group. Call 222-3700 to register. Facilitator is Jim Vander May, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker.

The Family Connection is a bi-monthly support group for spouses, parents, siblings and other caregivers who are seeking support to more effectively deal with stresses created by the symptoms, behaviors of family members who are diagnosed with a mental illness. Dealing with a family member who has symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and more can be a signifcant stressor for other members or caregivers in the family. Please let us help.

Ongoing Support Groups

The Family Connection
The Family Connection is a bi-monthly support group for those dealing with the stresses of family members diagnosed with a mental illness. Facilitated by Jim VanderMay, LMSW, clinical social worker. Group meets the second and fourth Monday of every month now through September 2008, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Pine Rest Southwest Clinic, 4211 Parkway Place, Suite 100, Grandville. Cost: free of charge. To register, call 616/222-3700, ext. 4.

Program Outline
The Family Connection is a bi-monthly support group for spouses, parents, siblings, and other caregivers who are seeking support to more effectively deal with stresses created by the symptoms/behaviors of family members who are diagnosed with a mental illness. Dealing with a family member who has symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and more can be a significant stressor for other members or caregivers in the family.

Women’s Recovery Group
This is a treatment group for women, age 18 or older, recovering from addictive life patterns involving alcoholism or drug abuse. There are specific issues affecting recovering women that are uniquely sensitive, and create a need for them to meet and share their experiences. This group provides a secure "Women Only" environment in which members can discuss problems related to their recovery process. By encouraging, sharing, and supporting an honest exploration of recovery related situations and emotions, participants can experience personal growth. Group therapy provides the opportunity to not only obtain professional help, but also understanding, and feedback from other women in similar situations. The Women’s Recovery Group meets on Wednesday’s from 5 to 7 p.m. at Pine Rest Holland Clinic, 926 S. Washington, Suite 210 in Holland. An assessment session is required to enroll, and new members are introduced into the group each week. Cost is $50/person/group session. For more information, please contact Wayne Silver, MA, LLP, CAC-I, group facilitator, at 616-820-3780.

Men’s Life Repair Shop
This is a treatment group for men, age 18 or older, recovering from addictive life patterns involving alcohol or drug abuse. There are unique life pressures for recovering men that are best addressed in an exclusively male setting where men can discuss difficulties and solutions to the challenge of recovery. Through honest sharing or personal experiences and exchange of ideas, men will encourage one another in their personal growth. Group therapy provides the opportunity to obtain professional help, understanding, and feedback from other men in similar solutions. The Men’s Life Repair Shop meets on Thursday’s from 5 to 7 p.m. at Pine Rest Holland Clinic, 926 S. Washington, Suite 210 in Holland. An assessment session is required to enroll, and new members are introduced into the group each week. Cost is $50/person/group session. Many insurance policies cover all or partial costs. Check with your insurance/ health plan or company benefits to make sure your plan provides coverage. For more information, please contact Wayne Silver, MA, LLP, CAC-I, group facilitator, at 616-820-3780.

Clean and Sober for the Holidays
A two-week support group held in December for persons experiencing alcohol or other drug dependence. Get support as well as tips on getting and staying alcohol and drug-free for the holidays. Time: 12 - 1 p.m. (Bring your lunch!) Location: Pine Rest Holland Clinic, 926 South Washington, Suite 210 Cost: Free of charge Facilitator: Jude Vereyken, MSW, LMSW, CAC-I. To register or for more information, interested persons should call the Holland Clinic at 616/820-3780.