Why joining a herpes support group matters
Here's the thing about herpes: the virus itself is usually manageable. It's the shame that does the real damage. And shame thrives in isolation. When you sit alone with your diagnosis, every worst-case scenario feels true. But when you sit in a room (or on a Zoom call) with people who've been exactly where you are? The shame starts to lose its grip.
Support groups aren't about wallowing. They're about reclaiming your sense of self. People share how they navigated the talk, how they manage outbreaks, and how they got to the other side of the shame spiral. You'll laugh. You might cry. But you'll leave feeling lighter.
“If she can't hang, that's a drag, but there are many other more level headed girls out there that won't let some minor thing like herpes bust up a meaningful relationship. You aren't going to let this skin condition stop you.”
Virtual herpes support groups
Can't find a group near you? Don't want to show up in person yet? Virtual groups are just as powerful, and sometimes easier to start with.
Herpes Opportunity virtual support group. Adrial hosts virtual group calls where you can connect with other H Opportunists in a safe, judgment-free space. Learn more and join here.
Something Positive for Positive People (SPFPP). A nonprofit offering weekly virtual support groups, including separate men's and women's groups. Donation-based. Visit spfpp.org.
ASHA (American Sexual Health Association). Runs online forums on Inspire.com where you can post questions and connect anonymously. Visit ashasexualhealth.org or call 919-361-8488.
Work through this one-on-one with a discovery coaching session.
City-specific herpes support groups
We've put together detailed guides for cities with the most active herpes support communities. These include in-person groups, social meetups, clinical resources, and online options specific to your area:
- Los Angeles. LA/OC HELP, Meetup groups, Planned Parenthood resources
- Chicago. Chicago HELP, Chicago Friends Meetup, Howard Brown Health
- Houston. Houston HELP, Legacy Community Health, social meetups
- Washington, DC. H2O social group, Peak Therapy, DC Health clinics
- Boston. Boston HELP, Mass General Sexual Health Clinic, BMC STD Clinic
- Austin. Austin HELP, Kind Clinic, Austin Public Health
Full directory of herpes support groups by state
Heads up: Some of the contact information below may be outdated. We recommend calling or emailing ahead to confirm a group is still active. If you find a broken link or know of a new group, let us know so we can keep this list current.
Arizona
Phoenix Valley HELP
Phoenix, AZ
(602) 867-6613
Email: PHXVHG@hotmail.com
Prescott Herpes Support Group
Prescott, AZ
Email: hsgprescott@gmail.com
California
Los Angeles HELP, See full LA guide
Culver City, CA
(310) 845-6656
Email: info@lahelp.org
Orange County HELP
Orange, CA
(310) 845-6656
San Francisco HELP
San Francisco, CA
(650) 704-4021
Email: HELP_SF@yahoo.com
Connecticut
Manchester HELP
Manchester, CT
Email: hsv2secret@sbcglobal.net
District of Columbia
HELP of Washington, See full DC guide
Washington, DC
(301) 369-1323
Florida
Broward and Palm Beach HELP
Email: helpinsfl@yahoo.com
Central Florida HELP
Orlando, FL
(407) 263-5347
Illinois
Chicago HELP, See full Chicago guide
Chicago, IL
(312) 810-8132
Email: info@chicagohelp.org
Indiana
Southern Indiana HELP
Shirley, IN
(765) 785-9219
Massachusetts
Boston HELP, See full Boston guide
Boston, MA
(781) 648-4266
Michigan
Metro Detroit HELP
Eastpointe, MI
(586) 447-2699
Email: info@metrodetroithelp.org
Washtenaw County HELP
Novi, MI
Email: wchfacilitator@aol.com
Minnesota
Twin Cities HELP
Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN
(800) 78-FACTS (toll-free MN only)
North Carolina
Herpes Opportunity In-Person Support Group
c/o Planned Parenthood, Raleigh, NC
2nd Tuesday of every month, 6:00-8:00 PM
100 S. Boylan Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 833-7526
Charlotte H
Charlotte, NC
Triad HELP
c/o Planned Parenthood
(336) 373-0678
New Jersey
South Jersey HELP
Information line only, no meetings currently scheduled
(609) 748-2518
Ohio
Cincinnati HELP
Cincinnati, OH
Email: cincinnati_help@yahoo.com
Oklahoma
Tulsa HELP
c/o Planned Parenthood, Tulsa, OK
(918) 587-1101
Email: WeHELPinTulsa@yahoo.com
Oregon
Portland Area HELP
Portland, OR
(503) 727-2640
Email: portlandareahelp@aol.com
Texas
Austin HELP, See full Austin guide
Austin, TX
Email: Support@austinhelp.org
(512) 247-5551
Houston HELP, See full Houston guide
Houston, TX
(866) 841-9139 ext 2551 (toll-free)
Email: HoustonHELP@yahoo.com
North Texas HELP
c/o Planned Parenthood of North Texas, Arlington, TX
(817) 276-8063 x2241
San Antonio HELP and HPV Support
San Antonio, TX
Canada
Calgary HELP. Calgary, AB, (403) 228-7400
Vancouver HELP. Vancouver, BC, (604) 515-5500
Winnipeg HELP. Winnipeg, MB, (204) 940-2200
Toronto HELP, c/o The Phoenix Association, Toronto, ON, (416) 449-0876
Montreal HELP. Montreal, QC, (514) 855-8995
Australia
Sydney HELP, c/o Sydney Sexual Health Centre, (02) 9382 7440
Don't see your city? Here's what to do
If there's no group listed near you, you have options:
- Search Meetup.com. Type "herpes" or "HSV" plus your city. Many active groups aren't in the official directories.
- Call ASHA. The American Sexual Health Association can help connect you with local resources: 919-361-8488 (Monday–Friday).
- Contact your local Planned Parenthood. Some locations host or know about local support groups.
- Join a virtual group. If nothing's nearby, virtual support groups give you the same connection from anywhere.
- Start your own. It only takes one person to start a group. Reach out to us and we can help you get started.
Remember: the hardest part is showing up the first time. After that, you'll wonder why you waited so long.
Frequently asked questions
Are there free herpes support groups?+
Where can I find herpes support groups near me?+
What happens at a herpes support group meeting?+
Can I join a herpes support group if I was just diagnosed?+
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