About Support Groups

Welcome!

All FPA Support Group meetings are FREE and open to the public. Whether you are personally affected by facial pain, are a loved one, or a person under age 40, FPA has a group for you. Choose national or regional meetings- or both! We also provide contacts with several international groups. When you are ready, we are here.

Jump to list of upcoming meetings.

What are the advantages of attending a support group meeting?

For many people with facial pain, a support group is one of the only places where they can connect with others who share their experience. A support group provides understanding, encouragement, and reassurance that will help you adjust to life changes brought on by facial pain. Our support groups offer a safe haven for discussing your challenges and a place for you to ask for advice, give tips to others, and spend some time with an encouraging network of people who have walked in your shoes.

What is an FPA Support Group meeting like?

Before your first meeting

FPA groups are free and open to people with facial pain, their family members, caregivers, and other loved ones. Prior to a virtual meeting, you will need to register online. For in-person meetings, registration is not required but informing your local leader that you will be attending helps him or her with planning.

We encourage you to contact your local support group leader to introduce yourself before your first meeting and learn more about about upcoming meetings or events. Your leader is also able to answer questions that will help you feel more comfortable attending for the first time- your leader will be happy to hear from you!

Meeting formats

Some groups meet online using Zoom or other easy-to-use video platforms. Other groups normally meet in person. At the time of the meeting, you will join your group and be greeted by your support group leader. Meeting structures vary – some meetings will include a speaker; others will be strictly supportive, or both. The supportive meeting, sometimes called ‘caring and sharing’ features an open format, allowing attendees to openly discuss topics that interest them. Whether you want to just listen, or you want to share your experiences or ask questions of others, you are free to do so. For most people, simply attending meetings and listening to the experiences of others can be very helpful.

If a meeting includes a speaker or educational topic, you can expect that the speaker is from a health care or other professional area. Topics may include facial pain diagnosis, treatment options, medication, complementary health approaches, pain management, coping, and many others. You can also request a speaker on a specific topic.

FPA Support Group Leaders and Co-Leaders

Our leaders and co-leaders are volunteers, and just like you, are people affected by facial pain. They offer their time and energy as FPA volunteers to give back to the facial pain community. These special people receive support from FPA to help them set up, promote, and run their meetings successfully.

If you are interested in becoming an FPA Support Group Leader, visit Volunteer with the Facial Pain Association.

Who attends these meetings?

People just like you. People whose lives have been changed by facial pain and are also looking for answers and to connect with caring support. Some FPA Support Groups are offered to specific groups- local groups cater to people who live within the region. The FPA Young Patients Committee (YPC) offers a group for people age 40 and under. There is also a group for parents, one for friends and family, and others. For more information about FPA Support Groups, please contact Regina at rgore@facepain.org.

A note about international groups: International contacts, with the exception of Brazil are not official FPA Support Groups. The FPA only supervises and supports official FPA Support Groups. The contact information provided is intended as a starting point in your area.