At Torrance Memorial, we know there is much more to healing than the diagnoses and treatments that heal our bodies. To help you on the road to wellness, the medical center offers a wide variety of support groups that nurture the mind and spirit. Whether you need information, guidance or simply companionship, you are invited to take advantage of these helpful groups.

Bariatrics

To confirm classes-call Martha Lopez RN at (310) 325-9110 ext. 30022

Bariatric Surgery

  • Meeting: Every 1st Monday of the month (No meeting in September)
  • Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
  • Location: Zoom
  • Meeting: Every 4th Tuesday of the month (No meeting in March and December)
  • Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
  • Location: Zoom
  • Meeting: Every 4th Monday of the month
  • Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
  • Location: Zoom (No meeting in May, August, and December)
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Between Starving and Stuffed

Mindful eating for a healthy weight. This is an online interactive program that teaches skills to live a healthy lifestyle for a healthy weight and other life goals. Presented via Zoom

  • Meeting: Every 2nd Thursday and every 3rd Tuesday of the month
  • Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
  • Location: Zoom meeting
Enroll Now

Post-Operative Bariatric Surgery Nutrition

Support group is led by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with new topics every month to provide inspiration, encouragement, and helpful tips to keep you on track!

Topics with open discussion can range from navigating day-to-day eating challenges, cooking tips, food demos, patient spotlights, guest speakers, company representatives providing protein and vitamin sample products, and more!

  • Meeting: Every 2nd Tuesday of the month
  • Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
  • Location: Zoom meeting

This class will now be provided virtually using the Zoom platform until further notice. Please e-mail Duong.Le@tmmc.com to register for the class.

Cancer

Women in Treatment

Support is important during your journey. Women with cancer share their stories, vulnerabilities and insights from diagnosis through treatment, in a safe, supportive space. Topics include cultivating emotional resilience, body image and sexuality, talking with loved ones about cancer and caring for ourselves. Groups are facilitated by our Psychosocial Counselor via the online platform Zoom.

  • Meeting: Every Wednesday
  • Time: 5:00pm - 6:30pm
  • Location: Zoom Meeting

To RSVP or for further information, please contact Brittany Rudinica, LCSW at 310-517-1230.

Event Flyer

Coping with Cancer for Caregivers During COVID-19 Times: Online Support Group

This new virtual support group will provide you the opportunity to connect with people providing care to a loved one with a new or existing cancer diagnosis amidst the coronavirus.

  • Meeting: Every Monday
  • Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
  • Platform: Zoom Meeting

To RSVP or for further information, please contact Brittany Rudinica, LCSW at 310-517-1230.

Event Flyer

Women Empowered Cancer Support Group (WE CAN)

For nearly 20 years, this group of women have journeyed through their experiences of cancer and beyond. This group empowers women to face their diagnosis, recurrence or experience as a cancer survivor with resilience and support. Women affected by cancer can gain hope and empowerment, obtain practical information on cancer treatment and community resources, address feelings associated with a cancer diagnosis and life beyond treatment, and learn new ways of coping, communicating and connecting.

  • Meeting: Tuesdays
  • Time: 10 - 11:30 am
  • Location: Zoom Meeting

To RSVP or for further information, please contact Brittany Rudinica, LCSW at 310-517-1230.

Mastectomy/Breast Reconstruction Support Group

For women pre and post mastectomy/breast reconstruction. This support group helps support mastectomy/breast cancer reconstruction patients through sharing stories and getting to know other survivors who had a mastectomy/breast reconstruction. RSVP required. Please call (310) 517-4660.

  • Meeting: 2nd Thursday of the month
  • Time: 5:30pm - 7:00pm
  • Platform: Zoom
Register Here

Men's Cancer Support Group

This free group meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month. This support group is a gathering of men living with or recovering from any type of cancer. It is a safe environment to ask questions and share concerns and experiences of living with cancer. Facilitated by Reverend Jan Lee.

  • Meeting: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month
  • Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
  • Platform: Zoom
  • For further information, please contact Reverend Jan Arthur Lee at 310-891-6694 or jan.lee@tmmc.com.
Event Flyer

Head and Neck Cancer Support Group

Virtual Head and Neck Cancer Support Group is a safe environment to share your experiences related to diagnoses and learn about available resources. Participants have the opportunity to give and receive support from others navigating this experience. Groups are facilitated by Tom Fox, RN, MSN, CNML, via the online platform Zoom.

  • Meeting: 3rd Thursday of the month
  • Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
  • Platform: ZOOM
  • To RSVP, contact Tom Fox, RN, MSN, CNML, at tom.fox@tmmc.com or 310-891-6707 ext. 77258.
Event Flyer

Multiple Myeloma Support Group

The Los Angeles Multiple Myeloma Support Group offers patients and their supporters a place to go for shelter and comfort in dealing with myeloma. Our mission is to create and share hope with Myeloma patients, caregivers, family and friends through education, support and our personal experiences. For questions please call Co-Leaders, Ron and Jennie Handy at 310-516-6828.

  • This support group is temporarily on hold.

Cardiovascular

"Take Heart" Support Group

A peer support group for individuals with heart disease and their significant others. Our goal is to help improve the quality of life for heart patients by offering education, reassurance, comfort, and fellowship in a round table discussion environment. "Take Heart" is facilitated by a person who has experienced a cardiac event. This service is offered free, reservations are not required. For more information call, 310-517-4737.

  • Meeting: Temporarily on hold

WomenHeart of South Bay

Torrance Memorial has become a member of the WomenHeart National Hospital Alliance. This new support group meets monthly to provide women living with heart disease critical peer-to-peer support, information, and encouragement.

  • Meeting: 3rd Wednesday of every month
  • Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
  • Location: Specialty Building, 3rd Floor, Suite 335

For more information on WomenHeart of South Bay contact Lucia Galante Johnson, WomenHeart Champion and Support Network Facilitator at wh-southbay@womenheart.org.

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Caregiver

Caregiver Support Group

This ongoing weekly support group is returning to ZOOM at a new time! Come and experience a safe haven for sharing true feelings about your caregiving experiences. Receive support through the challenges and guidance as to what may lie ahead.

  • Meeting: Every Tuesday
  • Time: 12:30 - 1:30 PM
  • Platform: ZOOM Meeting

For more information, please call 310-517-4711 or email TorranceMemorialHealthEducation@tmmc.com.

Learn More

Diabetes

Diabetes Support Group

- Currently on Hold -

Sometimes it helps to share with others who are on a similar life journey. The Diabetes support group is led by one of our diabetes educators and provides a safe forum to express concerns, discuss experiences, and ask questions of others, who just like you, are living with diabetes. There is no cost to attend and no reservations are needed. For more information, please call 310-891-6707.

Type I Support Group

  • Meeting: Second and Fourth Tuesday of every month
  • Time: 6:30pm - 7:30 pm
  • Location: Torrance Memorial Specialty Center, 3rd Floor, Conference Room 350
  • Get Directions

Type II Support Group

  • Meeting: First and Third Wednesday of every month
  • Time: 1:00pm - 2:00 pm
  • Location: Torrance Memorial Specialty Center, 3rd Floor, Conference Room 350
  • Get Directions

Grief and Bereavement

Support groups afford people the opportunity to meet in a caring and safe environment with other people experiencing grief and loss. Groups provide education on the grief experience following the death of a loved one. We cover common grief reactions, coping strategies and self-care throughout the grief process. We offer the following groups:

  • Loss of Spouse - Adults who have experienced the death of a spouse or partner
  • Loss of Parent - Adults who have experienced the death of a parent
  • Loss of a Child - Adult parents and guardians who have experienced the death of a child, adolescent or adult child
  • Grief Support Group - Adults who have experienced the death of someone close

Groups consist of eight to 10 members and run for six to eight weeks. Each group meets once a week for one and a half hours. The groups are free, and registration is required.

The groups are facilitated by social workers and trained volunteers and overseen by licensed clinical social workers.

To participate and for more information, please contact:
Oliva Licea, MSW - Bereavement Coordinator
(310) 703-3352
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

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Pulmonary

COPD Support Group (Lungs for Life)

An exciting support group that will provide information and education to graduates of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program and the community, living with chronic lung conditions. Families and caregivers are also welcome to attend. The support group meets every 9 weeks at 10:00am - 12:00pm. For more information call, 310-784-4885.

Stroke

Stroke Support Group

Provides stroke patients and family caregivers education and support; meets monthly on the 1st Wednesday, 10:00am. For more information call, 310-325-9110, ext 1008.

Other Conditions and Support

Amputee Support Group

Quarterly discussion group to assist in the physical and psychological impact of amputation. 3rd Saturday of month/quarterly 12:00pm - 2:00pm. For more information call, 310-540-3921.

Depression and Bipolar Support Group

An ongoing support group for people dealing with depression or bipolar disorder. Meets the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, 10:00am - 12:00pm. For more information call, 310-497-8801 or visit www.dbsasouthbay.org.

Eating Disorders Support Group

Adolescent eating disorder support group led by a licensed marriage and family therapist designed for individuals 13-17 seeking additional support for his/her eating disorder recovery. For more information and for the address please contact Lauren Warren at 562-852-6122 or email laurenwarrenmft@gmail.com.

When: Every Thursday, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Cost: $25

Fibromyalgia Support Group

This support group features open discussion as well as education via guest speakers for those with Fibromyalgia. Group is co-sponsored with the Arthritis Foundation. Family members and friends are welcome to attend. Meets the 1st Saturday of every month, 1:00pm - 3:00pm. Location: West Towers with parking in structure behind the Towers. For more information contact William Horn at 310-324-6810.

Meditation

Weekly group for practicing meditation, a skill to quiet the mind and help relieve stress. For more information call, 310-517-4701.

Ostomy Support Group

Provides education and emotional support for ostomates; Facilitated by two enterostomal therapists. The group meets the 4th Thursday of every month from 7:30pm - 8:30pm in the West Tower (excpet November when they move to the 3rd Thursday due to Thanksgiving. The group does not meet in December.) For more information call, AnneMarie Knudsen, 310-548-8558 or email fynrfin@ca.rr.com.

Parkinson's Disease Support Group

This support group features open discussion as well as education via guest speakers for those with Parkinson's Disease. Family members and friends are welcome to attend.

Meets the 2nd Saturday of each month, 2:00pm - 4:00pm. Location: West Tower, 2nd Floor Auditorium.

For more information call 310-325-9110 x 3719.

This support group and it's content is organized by it's members who are comprised of those with Parkinson's, their caregivers, and volunteers. While most meetings take place at Torrance Memorial Medical Center the content does not reflect any medical advice on their part.

Sjogren's Support Group

Group meets quarterly, please call for current schedule. Location: Hoffman Health Conference Center Room 1. For more information, contact Yvonne Hacker at 916-205-1311.

Anonymous Groups

Alcoholics Anonymous

Groups meet on Thursdays at 7:00pm; Friday and Saturdays at 7:30pm. Contact Jean Carfagno for more information, 310-784-4879.

Marijuana Anonymous

Group meets on Wednesdays at 7:30pm, Contact Jean Carfagno for more information, 310-784-4879.

For More Information
or additional information about our support groups, call 310-517-4711