Free psychological programs offered

The Wellness Community, Valley/Ventura offers ongoing programs and support groups for people with cancer and their families and/or caregivers. Offered at no cost, the programs aim to educate, inform, comfort and encourage cancer patients in their fight for recovery. For detailed information on any of these free programs that offer psychological, social and emotional support, please call the Wellness Community at (805) 379-4777.

All programs are at the Wellness Community, 530 Hampshire Road, Westlake Village and are open to cancer patients and their families.

Orientation Meetings: 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to noon Fridays.

Family and Friends Drop-In Groups: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays.

The Wellness Connection: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Tues., Feb. 13 and 27.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Support Group: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 15.

Young Adults Networking Group: 7 to 9 p.m. Fri., Feb. 16. Ages 21 through 40.

Prostate Cancer Networking Group: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 17.

Breast Cancer Group: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 20.

Relaxation/Visualization: 1 to 2 p.m. Fridays.

Qigong (Chinese healing technique): 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays

Beginning Yoga: 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Wednesdays

Programs in Spanish: Available in Canoga Park (6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays) and Sylmar (10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays). Call the Spanish language helpline for detailed information at (888) 707-9355.

Special February Programs

Books Can Help: 2 to 3 p.m. Fri., Feb. 9. A book and discussion club in which cancer patients and their families will share and discuss chapters from some of the books they’ve found to be inspirational and helpful in the midst of their fight for recovery.

"How to Organize Your Financial Affairs" workshop facilitated by financial advisor Chris Hardt from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thurs., Feb. 22. Hardt will address basic estate planning topics such as who needs a trust and how an advanced health care directive works, financial "stuff" ranging from where financial belongings should be kept to insurance policy structure and ownership. Participants will receive a free notebook designed to organize financial documents.

Please RSVP at (805) 379-4777.