Online Support Groups
We do our best to update this list regularly, but please contact facilitators ahead of time to verify all information.
Postpartum Support Group
This is a free support group through Sharp. Call the Sharp Mary Birch Social Work/Clinical Counseling Department at 858-939-4133 to sign up and get dial-in instructions. Group will be held at 9:30-11 AM on Tuesdays.
Circle of Security, presented by Mary Starks, MA, LPCC and Jennifer Zimmerman, LCSW, is an 8-week, evidenced-based parenting program rooted in attachment and object relations theories. The program is geared toward parents of children (4 months to teens) who are interested in helping to develop secure relationships with their children. This course is virtual via Zoom. Cost is $100 for the 8 week program. To register, email Mary at m.patricia.startks@gmail.com or Jennifer at healthyfamilies@zimmermanlcsw.com.
A personalized live online video support group facilitated in San Diego, CA by a licensed therapist. Connect with other moms to prevent or recover from postpartum depression/anxiety or simply get support. You are not alone! This group meets for 8 weeks. For dates, fees, and registration information, call Cathy Fisher, LCSW
at 760-277-5333 or visit InPsych Center.
This is a 6-week group dedicated to anyone who identifies as a "mother" with difficulties related to Postpartum Depression and/or Anxiety. CBT is an evidence based modality that has helped many mothers regain a sense of self, have satisfaction and connection with their baby. Group is offered in English and Spanish. For information, contact Gloria Jardon, LMFT office phone: 858-212-4244 or www.JardonPsychotherapy.com.
Mindful Mamas is a four-session online program that teaches mindfulness techniques that can help you accept your thoughts and feelings without being overwhelmed by them. You will learn skills that will help you slow down, breathe, and be present to enjoy your pregnancy and children. The life skills taught and practiced in this program
are particularly helpful for dealing with anxiety and depression, both of which are common to pregnant and post-partum women. Payment ($20) and pre-registration is required for all attendees. Call 858-616-5600 or visit https://positivechoice.org/mindful-living/mindful-mamas/
The Mindful Mamas instructor is Ali Chambers, MA, LMFT, a licensed therapist with a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. Ali has over 20 years of experience facilitating groups and received training on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction at the UCSD Center for Mindfulness Teacher Training Institute.
Join this online support group to learn about perinatal mental health; connect with moms; identify, communicate, and regulate emotions; and develop a wellness plan and coping skills. This is an 8 week, 60 minute virtual therapy/support group open to CA residents run by Kara Cruz, LMFT, PMH-C. SuperBill can be provided for those who need it.
This course is suggested for birthing individuals at 20-26wks of pregnancy
Birth can be unexpectedly traumatizing and isolating. Whether it's your 1st 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.
Facilitated By: Ellie Messinger-Adams LPCC, Kay Sanchez Franco AMFT, and Cherish Peacewalker
Goal: To reduce medical/birth trauma in labor/delivery, postpartum and more by utilizing a combination of trauma focused clinical theories and drama therapy methods, and education to holistically prepare women for childbirth and foster community
Dates: March 6, 2024 -May 22, 2024
Time: Every Wednesday from 12pm-2pm
Commitment: $480 for 12 weeks ($40 per week).
Ask about needs based scholarships and gifting options. Contact Ellie at ellie@ematherapy.com for details
Space: 10-15 participants per rotation.
Location: Virtually on ZOOM (only open to CA residence)
NICU Support Group
You are not alone! Join Miracle Babies "My Brain & My Baby for NICU Parents" for this online and in-person group as we connect with others to discuss topics from complicated pregnancies to NICU journeys. Breakfast is included for those who are able to attend in person! For more information and to register, contact help@miraclebabies.orgies.org
Infertility and Loss Groups
Join Rachel Rabinor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker for a 6-Week Mind-Body Fertility Support Group. Course is online and in-person. Share as much or as little as you like. Listen to others. Feel the power of the community. Reach out for support during this challenging time in your life and know you are not alone! Throughout the six weeks, we'll explore issues related to fertility challenges, including the impact on identity, self-esteem, sexuality, and relationships. You'll have the opportunity to learn and practice relaxation and other mind/body coping skills each week. While we can't change the stressors you experience each day, we can help you learn to manage your response to allow you to live more comfortably and engage with life more fully.
Star Legacy Foundation provides live, interactive, online support groups for families who have experienced a perinatal loss and for individuals experiencing a pregnancy after a loss. Groups are held via HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing and facilitated by trained mental health professionals. You do not need a video camera on your computer to attend but it is very helpful if you do.
Registration required for the first session only – after that participants will receive a reminder email prior to each session.
Support Group Facilitators include: Debbie Fischer, MS, LMFT, Joanne O’Leary, Ph.D., Doug Stewart, and Kathleen Massmann, LAMFT
Katelin Buchanan, LPCC, and I would like to invite you and your clients who may be struggling with infertility to attend a monthly infertility support group sponsored by Hanabusa IVF, which has graciously opened up group participation to our community. Participants do not need to be a patient at Hanabusa but do need to RSVP using the link below or by emailing support@hanabusaivf.com (I can also be reached at info@reproductivetherapy.com for any other questions).
TGN Therapy is offering two different loss support groups starting in March:
Virtual 1st Trimester Loss Group
Beginning in March
- Every Tuesday from 12:00pm-1:15pm
- Closed group
- 8 sessions ($65/session)
- All loss types welcome (miscarriage, MMC, TFMR)
- Group dates:
- exact dates TBD once group meets minimum participants required
Virtual 2nd/3rd Trimester Loss Group
Beginning in March
- Every Thursday from 12:00pm-1:15pm
- Closed group
- 8 sessions ($65/session)
- All loss types welcome (miscarriage, MMC, TFMR, stillbirth, birth trauma loss)
- Group dates:
- exact dates TBD once group meets minimum participants required
About the group: This is an eight session psychoeducational, skill-building, and process therapy group, which explores the multifaceted trauma and grief of pregnancy loss. The group’s tailored curriculum provides strategies, resources, and support to help you grieve and move forward (not on), while continuing to honor your baby, body, and experiences. For more info, visit TGN Therapy Support Groups.
Groups for Dads
PSI hosts a weekly online support group for dads every Friday, time varies. Our online groups are here to help dads connect with other fathers and father surrogates. We hope that they will talk and listen to other dads as they process their experience (the great parts and the not so great parts); learn about helpful tools and resources and realize they are NOT alone.
LGBTQ+ Parent Support Groups
Families at The Center is an inclusive family program at the San Diego LGBT Community Center. These programs are designed to provide resources, education, support and opportunities for community building for LGBTQIA+ families and those considering parenthood. We welcome anyone you feel has cared about, supported, mentored or nurtured your development. We know that families thrive and grow through the inclusion of many different members and all are welcome to take part in our program.
Family services include:
- Information and referrals regarding schools, parenting, housing and voting
- Support groups and peer support
- Educational and skill-building opportunities
- Social and recreational opportunities
Weekly groups online for youth and families. Please email: info@transfamilysos.org for online meetup times. Parents/Caregivers of Trans Children (any age) – Sundays 1:00pm Pacific time
Co-Parenting/ Couples Support Groups
Postpartum Couple’s Group: Last Wednesday of each month, 6-7:30PM offered by Sharp Mary Birch Hospital. Call the Sharp Mary Birch Social Work Clinical Counseling Department at 858-939-4133 to receive dial-in instructions. This is a group for both parents to come and share their experiences and learn ways to help manage the challenges of dealing with postpartum depression and anxiety.
Join Elana Zagorsky (LCSW) and an intimate group of 7 other couples to discover new ways to spark romance into your relationship. Though it may feel like a difficult time to cultivate the intimacy you want in your relationship, staying at home does not have to mean the end of romance. This workshop will help you and your partner rekindle your closeness and deepen your connection. So cuddle up with your sweetie and log in for a different type of Date Night!
Infant Sleep Support
On Tuesdays, Jen Varela from Sugar Night Night takes questions about infant, baby, and toddler sleep issues on Instagram and Facebook. She posts the answers to those questions in Instagram stories, Instagram Live, IGTV, and Facebook.
Instagram: @sugarnightnight Facebook: SugarNightNight
- OR - you can join Jen Varela on Zoom for a private online video conference or call-in. Ask your questions about your child's sleep and benefit from hearing other parents’ questions, too. First-Come-First-Serve Basis – As many questions as possible will be answered in an hour.
Join Sugar Night Night's Sweet Sleep Coaching Group and be personally coached by Jen Varela. You will have the added benefit of being in a community with other parents who are also walking out the journey of teaching their baby to sleep.
PSI Online, National Support Groups
View and Register HERE
Our online groups are here to help you connect with other parents, talk about your experience, and learn about helpful tools and resources. Whether you are going through stress, adjustment to parenting, Baby Blues, or pregnancy or postpartum depression/anxiety, our groups are here for you.
Our online groups are here to help you connect with other parents, talk about your experience, and learn about helpful tools and resources. Whether you are going through stress, adjustment to parenting, Baby Blues, or pregnancy depression/anxiety, our groups are here for you.Groups are led by experienced support group leaders who understand the emotional challenges of expecting and new parents. Please let us know if you have any questions, and join us this week for a supportive and informative group.
Led by trained PSI facilitators, our online NICU group is intended for parents of babies who are currently or formerly in the NICU. Connecting with others who have experienced the uniquely stressful environment of a NICU will provide parents with understanding, as well as helpful tools and resources. Whether your baby is currently in the NICU or you have finally returned home, our NICU parents support group is here for you.
Our online groups are here to help you connect with other parents, talk about your experience, and learn about helpful tools and resources. Whether you are going through stress, adjustment to parenting, Baby Blues, or pregnancy or postpartum depression/anxiety, our groups are here for you. Military spouses, active duty personnel and veteran moms are welcome to attend. Our trained facilitators are military spouses and understand the unique stress of the military family life. Please let us know if you have any questions, and join us this week for a supportive and informative group.
Psycho-Educational/ Self Help Courses
An online educational course around perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and how to prevent them. Find a self-paced program with readings, guided journaling, a private community, and videos. Psychotherapist and perinatal mental health expert Abby (Abigail Burd, LCSW, BDC, PMH-C, LCS 26867). provides evidence-based skills and strategies you will normally find only in therapy to prevent postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. You can take this course from your own home when pregnant, or any time after becoming a parent. Don't just survive the fourth trimester and transition to parenthood, but thrive! Visit: www.PreventPPD.com
Two thirds of couples report their relationship satisfaction tanks after the birth of a child. Naturally, we shift our focus to caring for a newborn. But maintaining a strong and supportive relationship with our partner is one of the most important foundations we can provide our children. So how do we take care of our romantic relationship as we make the transition to becoming parents and a family? Make a commitment to your relationship by enrolling in the online course "Relationships After Baby." You can take it alone or with your partner, before baby comes, or at any point after becoming parents. In this inclusive, online course, you'll find seven videos, 20+ lectures combining readings, a private discussion forum, and questions for guided journaling and/or discussion with your partner. As a bonus, there are over 12 free handouts and worksheets to download on getting sleep for the whole family, sex postpartum, anger and how to structure communication!
"Lift the Shame" is the first web-based support group of its kind offering support and resources to pregnant women and moms with eating disorders. Topics we discuss as a group include navigating pregnancy/postpartum, maternal mental health, raising intuitive eaters, feeding children, intuitive eating and body image changes. This virtual support group is for moms and moms-to-be who are recovering from eating disorders or who might be needing more support around food/body image issues in their motherhood journeys. For questions/registration, contact Crystal Karges, crystal@crystalkarges.com
https://www.crystalkarges.com/lift-the-shame-online-support-group
This group is for new and returning women who want to learn how to manage their emotions more effectively, improve mindfulness and build interpersonal skills.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) consists of learning principles and skills paired with practice through “homework.” Learning is an interactive process, and women share insights, challenges, and give encouragement in a supportive group environment.
Session begins April 14, 2023.
The group registration deadline is April 7, 2023.
Time: Fridays from 12:00 - 1:30 pm (Virtual)
Date: Starting 4/14/23 for eight weeks
Cost: $390 (includes phone screening)
To register: Phone: 760-489-1092, Ext. 5 or
Email: catherine@inpsychcenter.com or
Contact us here: https://inpsychcenter.com/
Online - For Residents of California only!
Are you a deeply feeling or Highly Sensitive mom looking to connect with others with similar experiences?
- You identify as an Empath or Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
- You struggle with some of the sensory aspects of parenthood - clutter, loud noises, whining, etc.
- Your empathy and deep emotional processing can be a gift, but can also be draining and leave you feeling depleted and not yourself
- You feel a lot of pressure to be a perfect parent, and feel lots of guilt when you don’t live up to society’s (or your own) expectations
- You are wanting to reconnect with your identity - body and mind - outside of being a mom
Your investment for this therapy group is $40 per session, for a total upfront cost of $320 for all eight sessions. It is okay to miss one or two sessions, but you’ll be required to pay the full amount to hold your spot in the group. Payment plans available upon request!
Questions? Ready to Register? Email me directly at amy@innernaturetherapy to connect or confirm your spot!
Military Parents
If you are active military duty, please reach out to your Family Readiness Officer to get connected to the New Parent Support Program on your base.