San Diego Perinatal (Pregnancy and Postpartum) Support Groups

 

PLEASE NOTE: Community groups are not vetted by PHA and, as a result, PHA does not endorse any of the below groups or the information that may be shared within them. We do our best to update this list regularly, but please contact facilitators ahead of time to learn more and verify all information.

 

Browse our ever-growing list of educational, support, and therapeutic groups below.

If you are unable to find what you are looking for, please contact our warmline and a trained PHA volunteer would be happy to assist you in finding a support group near you.

If you would like to add a perinatal support group to our resource page, please email info@postpartumhealthalliance.org.

 

COVID Resources: In response to local health recommendations, many facilitators have moved their groups online. Please view our NEW list of virtual support groups below.

IN-PERSON SUPPORT GROUPS

In-Person Support Groups

Del Mar/Carmel Valley

Thriving in the First Two Years! A group for parents and their children ages 24 months and under.
We found a gap in services that support our little ones during their most critical time of development. The first 2 years of life is a unique and important time of development for children and we want to support you in building your baby’s social-emotional foundational skills and promoting their future well-being and YOURS. This one-of-a-kind group is facilitated by our early childhood and postpartum support expert, Priscilla Tebelman, LMFT, PMH-C.
Who: Parents with Children 24 months and under
When: Wednesday’s or Saturday’s from 9 am-10 am
Dates: Groups will start January 10th & 13th
Duration: 4 week commitment
Fee: $325
Where: 12625 High Bluff Drive, San Diego, CA, 92130, Suite #204
Extras: Free 15 Minute Consult with your group leader, Priscilla!
.Contact us to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to learn more and sign up! Call
or email our Office Manager, Jenaya at (858)692-4187 or contact@sdkidsfirst.com.

 

Encinitas 

Postpartum Therapy Group(Online)

A support group for moms struggling with depression or anxiety. In this group, you will learn the importance of coping skills and self-care; understand how you have changed; improve your relationship with your partner; and developing your attachment with your baby. Group is for 6 weeks for $240. For more information, email info@headwaytherapygroup.com

 

Fallbrook

Journey of the Lotus "From Seed to Blossom" Postpartum Support Class 

A space where Postpartum mOMs and mOMs experiencing Perinatal Mood or Anxiety Disorders can come and feel safe, supported, move, connect, ground and share their practice with their baby. This support class takes mOM on a journey to a mindful  recovery, each class is designed to explore the important matters of the path, providing tools and resources while building a blooming community.

Using powerful tools such as Peer Support, Breath-Mindfulness, mOMmy-Baby Yoga and Reiki, the path of recovery is much stronger. The Benefits are endless. Newborns up to pre-crawling (around 9moths in age) are welcomed. Must be cleared from your physician to practice yoga. Anywhere from 3 weeks post delivery vaginal birth, 5-8 for C-section.

Class Details: Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 9:30-11am. Class is FREE! Fallbrook Regional Health District, Community Health & Wellness Center: 1636 E. Mission Rd., Fallbrook, Ca. 92028

 

Hillcrest

Transitions Women’s Group (Please Contact)

Are you going through a life transition, such as a new relationship, the birth of a child, divorce, parenting challenges, medical condition, menopause, empty nest, or loss of a loved one? We all go through periods in our life when a little extra support could be helpful. Our goal is to create a community of women in support of one another as we re-define identities, build self-awareness and esteem, take on new roles, or adjust to life stages. In doing so, we hope to identify and work towards our preferred ways of living and engaging with the world around us.

Email Mona to reserve your spot. Fee: $300 (prepaid) Duration: Ten 90-minute weekly sessions. Group Facilitator: Mona Klausing, LMFT, Licensed Therapist & Co-Director  NISD Counseling: 3636 Fifth Avenue, Suite 104, San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: 619-786-5850; Email: mona@nisdcounseling.org, Web: www.monaklausing.com

Rest & Reset- Therapist Support Group

Being in the helping profession is meaningful and gratifying work. We strive to be there for our clients – in support of their hopes and preferences for their lives. Yet, sometimes the focus on others leaves little time and resources for our own lives. If you are feeling weighed down, in need of self-care and time to rest & reset – you are not alone. We all need a space where we can reflect on our own experiences and challenges, so that we have the energy and clarity to help others. Join us in creating a supportive space together. Licensed and pre-licensed behavioral health professionals (MFTs, LPCCs, MSWs, Psychologists and Psychiatric Nurses) welcome.

Email Mona to reserve your spot. Fee: $300 (prepaid) Duration: Ten 90-minute weekly sessions. Group Facilitator: Mona Klausing, LMFT, Licensed Therapist & Co-Director  NISD Counseling: 3636 Fifth Avenue, Suite 104, San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: 619-786-5850; Email: mona@nisdcounseling.org, Web: www.monaklausing.com

 

Kearny Mesa

My Brain & My Baby

My Brain & My Baby is a Perinatal Mental Wellness program providing individual and group therapeutic counseling by mental health clinicians via telemedicine. Our group sessions are in-person and hybrid, led by Marleys Padilla, LCSW, PMH-C. Group sessions allow new parents to connect with others to discuss topics from complicated pregnancies to NICU journeys. Following group NICU moms will have the opportunity to shop in our baby boutique for FREE! For more information and to register, contact Lucy Vasquez 858-633-8540 or email help@miraclebabies.orgies.org.

Postpartum Support Group  (Temporarily Online)

A FREE Postpartum Support Group for women at the Sharp Mary Birch Outpatient Pavilion-  at 5075 Health Center Drive, San Diego CA 92123. For questions and to access the virtual group, call 858-939-4141. Groups held on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:00am.

Postpartum Support Group for Couples(Temporarily Online)

A FREE Postpartum Support Group at the Sharp Mary Birch Outpatient Pavilion designed for both partners to come and share their experiences. You will meet other couples going through similar challenges and learn how to navigate caring for a newborn and the transition as a new parent.  For questions and to access the virtual group, call 858-939-4141. Groups held on the last Wednesday of Month 6:00- 7:30pm.

Basic Training for New Dads (Please Contact)

Expectant fathers enjoy an informal, hands-on class that provides practical information and a real boost of confidence about handling the baby's impending arrival. Participants connect with other expectant dads, and also have the opportunity to talk with a “veteran dad” who has been through the class and brings his infant with him to the class. Dads-to-be get to hear directly from the new dad about his experience—and practice diapering, swaddling, soothing, and burping the baby.

Classes will be held in the La Jolla/UTC area. Participants will be notified of the specific location in advance of the class. Classes held on a Saturday, 9:00 am- noon and up to 15 dads.

 

La Mesa

The Parent’s Circle: Parenting and Chest/Breastfeeding Support Group

Spend time with other families and babies. Learn and share valuable parenting advice. Find out how much breast milk your baby is getting with a pre- and post-feed weight. Latch, positioning, and other chest/breastfeeding assistance will be offered by a registered lactation consultant or lactation educator.

The Parent’s Circle is led by Bre Booren, IBCLC. Donation based. Located at San Diego Breastfeeding Center 8325 University Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942. Fridays from 10a-11am. Register here.

Postpartum Support Group (Temporarily Online)

Free support group Thursdays, 2:30 to 3:30pm at the Sharp Grossmont Women's Center, run by Lori Alford, LCSW. Register online. For more information please call 619.740.3483

Well Mamas Self Care Support Group (in person)

Motherhood can already be such an isolating time for some and it's our priority to continue encouraging community care during these uncertain times. We dedicate a whole group to self-care because it’s the one thing we mamas need most. Mothering is often all about caring for others, this requires you to be emotionally, physically, and mentally available. Which is why you need time to recover. Self-care is not selfish. Taking time for yourself, to nourish and care for your mind, body & soul, is the best thing you can do for yourself & your family. The focus of our wellness support group is encouraging real and sustainable self-care practices to support the many roles we experience. We offer a warm and inviting space to share stories where our group leader provides immediate emotional support to navigate real motherhood experiences.

Our support group is semi-structured, meaning we present weekly topics that address motherhood experiences while also holding space for the personal needs of individuals and group members. Our hope is that each participant will begin and end a group series with each other encouraging and fostering mama relationships. Weekly topics address experiences that can be influenced by popular culture, society, technology, partner relationships, careers, baby/child development, and parenting.

Our groups are led by psychotherapists who also identify as mothers.Groups held Saturday mornings at Trolley Barn Park, space limited to 10. For more information visit www.wellmamascounseling.com

Register here

SHARP Grossmont: Pregnancy and Childbirth Classes

 

Mission Valley

Join our pregnancy support group starting February 19th! A 4-week program that offers a safe and supportive space for mothers to build connections with other moms as they navigate pregnancy and parenthood. This group is meant to provide a non-judgmental space for expectant moms, resources for navigating mental health and overall well-being, and authentic community connection.

4-week Program: February 19, March 4, March 11, March 18
When: Mondays 5:45 pm-6:45 pm
Where: AlignSD Wellness Center
2525 Camino Del Rio S, Ste 300, San Diego, CA 92108
(located in Mission Valley)
Cost: $30 a class, 4 class package for $90

Week 1: PMADs 101/Mental Health during pregnancy
Week 2: Navigating Interpersonal Relationships
Week 3: The Shift: New Identities with Motherhood
Week 4: Postpartum Planning: Thrive with Baby

Register Here
Contact Betsy at bmuirhead22@gmail.com for any questions.

 

North Park

Milestones Mommy + Me

Open to all moms with babies 0-12 months; this is an 8-week, supportive + educational group series designed to help you combat information overload, navigate your experience, and surround yourself with people who "get it." Created and facilitated by Renata Cameron, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and mom of two, each 8-week series meets once a week for 90 minutes. Group registration opens monthly. www.sdmommyandme.com

Free Lactation Support Group

Weekly group starting Tues 2/20/24, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

This free group is open to the public! Facilitated by Candace Hallak IBCLC.

Baby Garten Studio 1947 30TH ST SAN DIEGO 92102
Shoe-free room please bring socks & small blanket for baby. Please carry baby from car so we can save our limited indoor stroller parking for those who walk or take public transit.
RSVP by text to Candace 619-820-3938
This is an 8-week workshop series for new mothers. The goal of this workshop is to help mothers of 6 week to 6 month-old infants to reconnect with their bodies, bond with their baby, and grow their mom tribe. We cover topics important in the perinatal stage like yoga wrist stretches, pelvic floor and core strengthening flows, and stretches to counteract breastfeeding strain. You can learn more at our website.

Ocean Beach

The Mama Village: Building Bonds in Early Parenthood

Purpose: To gather new moms and help them through the adjustment period of new motherhood.
We offer expert advice from specialists in pelvic floor recovery, mental health, feeding, navigating self care and more. At the completion of the group, we encourage everyone to continue meeting up through casual dates and keeping in touch over whatsapp.
Location: Reunify Yoga outdoor yoga deck
Dates/pricing: * week series on Tuesdays at 9 AM starting the first week in March. Sliding Scale ($20, $30, $40 or $150 for all 8 sessions )
Facilitator: Jackie Kowalik from Yoga Jawn
Registration link and/or contact info: https://www.reunifyyoga.com/themamavillage

 

Point Loma

SparkMamas MeetUp

Join our pregnancy support group starting September 2023! A 4-week program that offers a safe and supportive space for mothers to build connections with other moms as they navigate pregnancy and parenthood. This group is meant to provide a non-judgmental space for expectant moms, resources for navigating mental health and overall well-being, and authentic community connection.

4-week Program: Sept 19, Sept 26, Oct 3, Oct 10
When: Tuesdays 12 pm-1 pm
Where: Song Birds Music, 2650 Truxtun Rd #109, San Diego (located in Liberty Station)
Week 1: PMADs 101/Mental Health during pregnancy
Week 2: Navigating Interpersonal Relationships
Week 3: What to Expect: Birth Anxiety
Week 4: Postpartum Planning: Thrive with Baby
Cost: $30 a class, 4 class package for $90
Moderated by: Betsy Muirhead, Associate Marriage Family Therapist  (AMFT140900) Supervised by Amber Rukaj, LMFT (CA LMFT No. 47649)
Contact Betsy at bmuirhead22@gmail.com for any questions.

 

Vista

4th Trimester - Postpartum Group

New time and location!

Fridays - 9:30am-10:30am in person at Babies in Bloom in Vista, CA or via Zoom

https://www.babies-in-bloom.com/classes-events/#the-4th-trimester--postpartum-support-group

Questions, contact Rachel Davis, MFT  (soon to be Rachel Vierra, MFT)

Private Practice number: 760-517-6612

Website:  racheldavismft.com

Breastfeeding Support Groups

Kearney Mesa

SHARP Grossmont Breastfeeding Support Group

La Mesa

Melanin SD

A support group for parents who are working and chest/breastfeeding. From preparing to go back to work, to work pumping schedule advice, to all things chest/breastfeeding, you will receive valuable information and resources to make educated and informed decisions on your lactating journey. This group has a focus on supporting working parents and marginalized communities.

This group is led by Chardá Bell, IBCLC, CBE, CD. No fee for this group. San Diego Breastfeeding Center 8325 University Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942. First Thursday of the month from 5:30p-6:30p. Register here.

Mission Valley

Grief + Loss Group

Join Alex Mers, LPCC for this 10 week series on grief and loss.

2560 Camino Del Rio N. Ste 305, San Diego 92108

Tuesdays Sept 12 - Nov 14 from 5-6pm

$300 for 10 week series *some insurances accepted*

Space is limited; must reserve in advance. Call 619-363-1920 or email help@freedomwithincenter.com

The Parent's Circle: Parenting and Chest/Breastfeeding Support

Spend time with other families and babies. Learn and share valuable parenting advice. Find out how much breast milk your baby is getting with a pre- and post-feed weight. Latch, positioning, and other chest/breastfeeding assistance will be offered by a registered lactation consultant or lactation educator.

Group Info:

Led by Ruth Hale, IBCLC, Fee:$5. There are no refunds if you cannot make support group.
Place:San Diego Breastfeeding Center (8325 University Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942)
Date and Time:Fridays, 10a-11am

Registration is required:Register here

North County

A free weekly support group for mothers located in North County San Diego looking to connect with other breastfeeding mommas! Join us to weight your baby on our hospital grade scale and receive support from two IBCLC’s and other mommas! Led by Jaren Soloff, RD IBCLC (practice owner) and Wendy Colson RN, IBCLC (IBCLC in practice for over 20 years) For more info: https://www.fullcrcl.co/lactationconsultant

Group held at: 1782 La Costa Meadows Drive Suite 104 San Marcos, CA 92078

North Park 

Boobies and Babies

Lactation consultant supported group
Open house style, Tuesday’s 2:30-4pm Weigh in available

Oceanside

Birth Trauma Reduction Program

Birth can be unexpectedly traumatizing and isolating. Whether it's your Ist or 3rd, come prepare for birth in community. You will leave feeling empowered, bonded, and prepared to take on whatever birth and motherhood throws at you. The goal of this group is to reduce medical birth trauma in labor/delivery and more by utilizing a combination of trauma focused clinical theories and drama therapy methods to holistically prepare women for childbirth and foster community. For details and registration contact Ellie Messinger-Adams 760-428-1239.

This group is facilitated by Ellie Messinger-Adams LPCC and Kay Sanchez Franco AMFT at WAVE Therapy

University Heights

Breastfeeding Support 

Free support group to ALL New Mothers- breastfeeding or otherwise. The support group is held every Wednesday from 11am-12:30pm led by a Certified Lactation Educator at Nature's Whisper Yoga Studio, 4205 Park Blvd. Pre/post feed weights, supply issues, difficulty latching, concerns about weight gain, returning to work and pumping, and weening; breastfeeding supplies for sale, meet other Moms and discuss any and all topics related to Mothering. Contact info@mothertomothermidwifery.com.