IBA’s Peer Support Groups offer hope.

Improve your wellbeing with others who share common experiences.

Hope Connections peer support groups

  • IBA’s informal peer support groups are led by (and for) caregivers and adults impacted by PANS PANDAS.
  • Groups offer emotional, social, and informational support & connection with those who share similar lived experience.
  • Support meetings are currently offered virtually. But we hope to offer in-person meet-ups in the future. These meet-ups will be held at comfortable public spaces (e.g. coffee shops, community spaces, or at a local child and youth mental health agency).
  • These are accepting and supportive groups providing encouragement, empowerment and hope within a safe environment.
  • Groups may have guest speakers on topics ranging from parenting, trauma, self care… and more.
  • Group meet-ups are 3-5 times a year, and sometimes more often depending on the interests of the leader and group, with group sizes varying.
  • Joining an IBA’s peer support group is free and there is no commitment required.

* Interested in starting a Healing Connections peer support group in your community? Click HERE and enter some basic info and our National Lead of Chapter Support Groups, Nancy Lawrynowicz, will be in touch with you ASAP.

Canada-wide Chapters


If a peer support group doesn’t yet exist in your area, we invite you to join another group (if they offer on-line) until one forms in your community.

Not yet, but hopefully coming soon!
Vancouver IslandMichelle Head
RSVP/Email
Sun, Sept 17, 2023
6:30 – 8:00 PM
On-line through
Zoom Meetings
Greater VancouverMartyna Gabrielson
RSVP/Email
Tue, Sept 19, 2023
8:00 PM DEFERRED
On-line through
Zoom Meetings
East CoastJanice Hartley
RSVP/Email
Mon, June 19, 2023
6:00 PM
On-line through
Zoom Meetings
Not yet, but hopefully coming soon!
Not yet, but hopefully coming soon!
Durham (Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa,
Clarington, Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge)
Jessica Dowlatsingh
RSVP/Email
Thu, Oct 19, 2023
8:30 PM
On-line through
Zoom Meetings
Halton
(Milton, Burlington, Oakville, Halton Hills)
Nancy Lawrynowicz
RSVP/Email
Wed, Sept 27 2023
7:00 – 8:30 PM
On-line through
Zoom Meetings
Waterloo
(Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo) *including Guelph
Tracy Shaban
RSVP/Email
Thu, Aug 17, 2023
6:30 – 8:30 PM
On-line through
Zoom Meetings
Not yet, but hopefully coming soon!

No one should ever have to journey alone.