NEXT GROUP in 2020 - Check website for details * Almost 2/3 of marriages with stepchildren end in divorce. * 50% of children in the U.S. will experience divorce by age 18. Almost half are likely to suffer from depression. YOU CAN BEAT THE ODDS: * Identify the unique dynamics of stepfamilies that drive people apart & how to counteract them. CONTACT morelovinghome@yahoo.com A stepparent since 2009, Edina is trained as a therapeutic foster parent, and has worked with individuals, couples and families for over 20 years as an educator and social worker.
Hosted by Edina C Adler
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, MA, Mediatr
Group meets in Pleasanton, CA 94588
I utilize compassion- and mindfulness-based methods to improve your parenting AND your partnership at the same time, while addressing the underlying causes of conflicts.
I have over 25 years of experience with families of diverse backgrounds & orientations, and have practiced mindfulness/ meditation for years. I have been a Family Court and Divorce Mediator, social worker in the foster care system, and school counselor. I am the proud stepparent of two kids now in college. Complimentary phone consultations are available.
An online process group for moms of children going to college is a supportive, therapist-led space where mothers can openly discuss the emotions and transitions associated with their child leaving home for college. These groups provide a structured yet flexible environment for processing feelings of grief, pride, identity shifts, and adjusting to a new family dynamic.
Hosted by Dr. Jennifer Green
Licensed Professional Counselor, PhD, LPCC
Group meets in Pleasanton, CA 94566
A new mom of a child with a developmental delay wondering if anyone will understand the worry you hold as a parent.
Jen tailors each plan to meet individual needs, helping children and adults feel better and make meaningful behavioral changes. By expressing themselves more effectively, emotionally healthy children navigate challenges, build strong relationships, and adapt to change. Jen is passionate about supporting the well-being of women and children.
Many moms have a hard time after having a baby. Sometimes, it can really help to talk openly with other moms who are going through the same thing. I offer both in-person and virtual supportive therapy groups for moms with babies under one year of age. In these small, judgement-free groups, I introduce a new topic related to motherhood each time we all meet. Please contact me to be pre-screened for the group and to reserve a spot. (Feel free to bring your baby.)
Hosted by Victoria Rutsch
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT, PMH-C
Group meets in Pleasanton, CA 94588
You’re the one everyone relies on—but inside, you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or like something from the past still holds you back. Maybe you’re navigating motherhood, identity shifts, or trauma you’ve carried for years. You want to feel more grounded, emotionally present, and in control. My clients often come to therapy knowing they want change but not sure where to begin—and that’s where we start, together. With advanced training in EMDR, perinatal mental health (PMH-C), and CBT, I help women feel more like themselves again—calm, capable, and connected.
As a mom to a neurodiverse, medically complex child, I understand the challenges that accompany raising these special kiddos. I've created a safe, welcoming space to share our experiences and get support from other moms on this journey. Please reach out if you would like to join!
Hello and welcome, I'm so glad you're here! I applaud and honor you for the strength it takes to reach out for help. I've successfully treated adults and teens with life transitions, anxiety and depression, as well as parents of special needs kids, for over 25 years. Whether it's day to day issues or trauma you've experienced that brings you to therapy, I work to decrease negative thoughts and behaviors. My focus is to put you back in charge of your life.
I specialize in navigating life transitions such as parenthood, workforce reentry, starting college or reclaiming your sense of self. Let's help you feel like yourself again.
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This is a healing space for women navigating the raw, often unseen realities of the postpartum journey. This circle is for new mothers facing perinatal anxiety, depression, or birth trauma—who feel overwhelmed, isolated, or like everyone else seems to have it all together. This is not another playgroup filled with small talk. This is a safe space to bring your whole self: your fears, grief, questions, and truth. Together, we’ll create a supportive, non-judgmental space to connect, share, and heal. Facilitated by Emily Rose Heard, LMFTmother, trauma therapist, and former birth doula.
Perhaps you're feeling stuck in a relationship that has lost its passion, searching for meaning in your career, or overwhelmed as a parent.
I offer holistic, trauma-informed therapy for individuals and couples—including new and expecting parents. Using EMDR, somatic tools, and ketamine-assisted therapy, I support deep healing from anxiety, burnout, and disconnection. I also specialize in psychedelic integration and helping clients reclaim joy and authenticity.
Learn the 5 Hand in Hand Listening tools and how to apply them in your own family and in therapy with children in these interactive and small classes. More info here: sfbayplaytherapy.com/ parent-groups.html
Hosted by Sf Bay Play Therapy By Karen Wolfe Lmft
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
We offer child and family play therapy, Hand in Hand Parenting coaching, individual and couples therapy, Brainspotting and trainings.
The natural language of child is play. Whether using therapeutic board games to express anger, puppet and role plays to explore challenging social dynamics, Kimochis to create feelings vocabulary, or working with winning and losing with a game of checkers, your child will gain new tools in understanding himself and others through therapeutic play.
THURSDAYS 10am-11am. Mothers of young children (0-3 yrs) are welcome to join this weekly group to process, vent, grow, and heal postpartum. 5 members per session/ rolling enrollment/ $50/session without insurance.
Whether you're launching, in college, dating, establishing your career, in a relationship, postpartum, parenting, empty nesting, and/or in your next chapter of life, all women need and deserve a safe space to process, heal, and grow.
I am a client-centered therapist and believe that my clients are the experts on their own lives. My goal is to support clients with silencing their inner critic, and empowering their inner voice in order to navigate all of life's stages with grace and confidence.
Backed by decades of research from the Gottman Institute, Bringing Baby Home sessions are filled with information, thought-provoking exercises, and opportunities to strengthen your relationship during parenthood. Research indicates that around two-thirds of parents experience a significant drop in relationship satisfaction within the first three years after the birth of a child. This workshop's goal is to support new and soon-to-be parents in maintaining a fulfilling and resilient relationship during this critical time. Join us to learn how to strengthen the connection between parents to create a loving and harmonious environment for your growing family!
Hosted by Melany Barr-Patz
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, M Ed, NCC
Group meets in Albany, CA 94706
I offer individual therapy for kids and adults, parent consultations, and parenting workshops.
When anxiety takes up too much space in our life, things feel really out of control. We find ourselves worrying about worst case scenarios and stuck in survival strategies like fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. In therapy, we can take a look at what has taken root in your mind and body, and help you make decisions about what to keep and nurture versus what to weed out. My hope is for each of my clients to build the sense of safety and self-acceptance needed for a happy and fulfilling life.
MotherCircle Alameda is a sacred gathering for mothers of all stages who want to have deeper conversations about motherhood in the presence of a supportive community. MotherCircle offers an opportunity to mine the profound wisdom that can emerge through motherhood. It supports you to explore the unseen arc of your motherhood journey, step confidently into your new identity as a mother, and build the village you need along the way. Circling together returns us to an age-old practice: women, sitting in circle, growing together through support, honesty, and courage. Offered 3 times a year. NEW SESSION BEGINS JANUARY 25.
Hosted by Sarah Connolly
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, EMDR
Group meets in Alameda, CA 94501
I specialize in helping parents lessen the pain that can be activated on the parenting path so that you can live with ease in the present moment.
My typical clients are often struggling as parents more than they expected to, and that often shows up as very high functioning anxiety. My clients are eager to find themselves again in early parenthood. They are grieving infertility, a challenging or high-risk pregnancy, a traumatic birth, a miscarriage, a stillbirth or the loss of an infant.
In-person support group for parents of transgender teens and young adults. Come together in all the stages of understanding and acceptance, grief and loss, ally ship and celebration. Share complex feelings, stories and wisdom in an environment of love and support. Next meeting is May 26, 2024.
I specialize in supporting adults and couples with grief and loss, anxiety and depression, relationship challenges—including narcissistic abuse—self-esteem and identity struggles, perinatal mood issues, parenting, and major life transitions.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, or grief? Do you find yourself stuck in patterns of self-doubt or struggling with the pain of a difficult relationship? Seeking support is a courageous step toward healing, and you don’t have to navigate this alone. With curiosity, compassion, and a non-judgmental approach, I help clients find relief, gain clarity, and create a more sustainable, fulfilling path forward. Together, we’ll explore the deeper roots of your challenges, understand the role they’ve played in your life, and work toward lasting healing. You will discover strengths, skills and cultivate greater self mastery.
Exhausted by conflict at home? Struggling with a defiant or aggressive child? Maybe it's time for a powerful new approach that will help restore peace and confidence. Our supportive group sessions will focus on rebuilding trust, managing misbehavior, and creating a calmer, more connected home. This support group is based on the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) and principles of Nonviolent Resistance (NVR). Led in-person in San Francisco over 8 weekly sessions, Mondays 5:30-7PM (April 14-June 2, 2025). Michelle Copley is a California Registered Associate MFT #152407 supervised by Tarrah Wauson, LMFT.
Hosted by Michelle Copley
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, JD, AMFT
Group meets in San Francisco, CA 94114
Parent coaching online or in person.
I'm a child and teen therapist and parenting coach. I specialize in behavioral challenges, adolescence, parenting, and women’s issues. Whether addressing family dynamics, strengthening parent-child bonds, or supporting individual clients through times of difficulty, I provide tools to navigate challenges and create meaningful change.
Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for teens includes a weekly multi-family group, key to our family-centered teen treatment approach. These sessions unite families, teens, and therapists in a supportive setting for shared learning. The group focuses on psychoeducation, giving families vital knowledge about mental health, addiction, and effective coping skills. Participants find comfort in peer support, realizing they're not alone. Families learn from others facing similar challenges, building a sense of community. This approach boosts treatment engagement, enhances communication skills, and strengthens family dynamics. These elements are crucial in supporting teens through recovery.
Hosted by Evolve Teen Mental Health Outpatient Programs
Treatment Center
Group meets in San Jose, CA 95126
Through individual, family, and group therapy, psychiatry, parent support, and experiential therapies (including art, music, yoga, fitness and more), your child will learn ways to manage stress, communicate appropriately, and lead a more fulfilled, productive life.
Children and teens at Evolve San Jose live at home and attend treatment in our centrally located space 3-5 days a week. We offer two program options. Our Intensive Outpatient Program offers a half day of programming 3-4 days a week. Our Partial Hospitalization Program offers a full day of programming, 5 days a week. In both programs, kids and teens receive one psychiatric evaluation weekly as well as 1-2 individual therapy sessions per week with our licensed, full-time clinicians. Daily, adolescents participate in groups on DBT Skills, Anger Management, Life Skills, Relapse Prevention, Mindfulness, 12-Step recovery, and Seeking Safety (for post-traumatic stress disorder and co-occurring substance use). Teens also receive daily academic support to help them stay on track with school. To determine which level of care is right for your child or teen, we offer a free assessment and referral services by our Clinical Program Director. Since we believe treatment is most successful when the entire family is involved, we offer Parent Support Groups and Multifamily Support Groups weekly as well. At Evolve, our goal is genuine growth that lasts long after your child leaves treatment.
We provide specialized counseling services to children and teens ages 6 to 18. We aim to help children and teens develop coping skills and navigate through difficult changes within the family. Specialties include: anxiety, anger management, depression, low self esteem, bullying, conflict with parents, and school concerns. As child therapists we can help you and your child unlock solutions and discover strengths that improve emotional functioning, promote healing and build stronger relationships. We look forward to starting this journey with you-please go to our website for more information about our therapists.
Hosted by Honeycomb Wellness Group
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Group meets in San Francisco, CA 94102
Our therapists have a variety of helpful certifications including and not limited to play therapy, parent child interactive therapy, EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, family systems, psychodynamic.
We believe that the value of your health goes beyond just your physical health. Emotional, psychological and social health are important in creating overall health and well being. It is our goal at Honeycomb Group to help you become the person, couple or family you want to be, and uncover your full potential.
This is an online group to help new and not-so-new moms with parenthood struggles. The group provides a safe space to connect with other moms while making art. Don't worry--you don't have to be Van Gogh to do art therapy. In fact, you don't need to have any artistic skills at all. Art therapy is all about organizing your inner experience through creative expression, whatever the result looks like. Each group includes a meditation, art prompt based on the topic of the day (with a menu of 2-3 variations), and processing discussion.
Hosted by Ruthie Ayzenberg
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, LPCC, PMH-C, RYT500
Group meets in Los Altos, CA 94022
So if you're a new parent, I'd be happy to help you navigate the beginning of parenthood.
I am a very practical person and strive to provide therapy that is focused and effective and at the same time compassionate and engaging. We generally use several approaches, including Experiential Therapy, Mindfulness, CBT & DBT (for practical skills), IFS, Brainspotting, and Yoga methods, depending on your needs and personality.
In this ongoing mindfulness-based group for moms, mothers (who have kids of all ages from infancy to young adulthood) come together to practice mindfulness meditation, gentle yoga and authentic sharing to support each other on the all-important journey of motherhood.
I offer couples counseling, parenting support and therapy for children & teens who are struggling with worry, stress, anxiety, defiance, depression and overwhelm.
My specialities include supporting children, teens & adults with anxiety / worry / stress / overwhelm. I also enjoy working with new mothers and supporting women with perinatal issues - from infertility to conception, from pregnancy to postpartum, from infancy through young adulthood. I enjoy supporting mothers with the important job of motherhood.
Get support, make new friends, and build community by joining a parent group. Share and discuss the unique challenges faced by parents of gifted, highly sensitive, and exceptional children. Parent groups are based on the SENG model, which is the most widely used system for parenting gifted children. I offer small groups that are both informational and practical, where you will learn specific skills and strategies designed to help with the needs of intense, gifted children. For details, see the Parent Groups page at: www.therathrive.com
Hosted by TheraThrive Counseling & Assessment
Counselor, PhD, LPCC, BC-TMH
Group meets in Lafayette, CA 94549
If you feel overwhelmed by anxiety, emotional intensity, high sensitivity, loneliness, insomnia, or relationship problems, or if your child or teen struggles with excessive worry, moodiness or sadness, you don't need to manage alone. We are a group of authentic and interactive therapists who are strengths-based in our approach. Let us help you (or your child, teen, family member) gain insight and understanding, learn emotional regulation, improve your relationships, alleviate stress and anxiety, improve satisfaction at work/school, and experience well-being and empowerment. www.TheraThrive.com
Parents' Turn is a six session, skill building and support group for parents of adolescents and young adults. Offered in a small group, private practice setting , this program offers practical tools, support and professional consultation. Next session begins on 10/29/2015. For more information, please visit margolevi.com/ parent-group.html
I have a particular interest in the enhanced opportunity for change and growth that come from big developmental transitions such as adolescence, becoming an adult and becoming a parent.
Whether teens are facing the most serious threats of depression, self harm, running away and family conflict, or simply dealing with the normal but rocky road through adolescence, I can help.
Hosted by Thrive: Healing Adults, Teens & Children
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Group meets in Campbell, CA 95008
Struggling with your teen? You’re not alone! We are Bay Area licensed therapists, Jillian Ma, LCSW & Dr. Staysha Veal, DMFT, with extensive experience with adolescents in middle and high schools, as well as private practice. Join us in sharing wisdom, hardships, and wins. We offer guidance, a supportive community, practical tools, and a safe space. If you are curious, take a look at our PARENT GROUP SURVEY here (copy and paste, not a live link) ---> https://bit.ly/3TBGkEm and let us know what interests you. There is no obligation to sign up. We hope to hear from you!
My areas of expertise include working with adolescents, parenting, and young adults.
I have a deep understanding of the unique set of challenges facing today’s adolescents. These might include relationships, academic pressure, and family stressors. In addition to working with teens in the general education setting, have worked extensively with neurodiverse students, students with developmental disabilities, and those with IEPs.
See more therapy options for Pleasanton
Parenting Support Groups
What does therapy for parenting look like?
Therapists may work with parents individually, together, or include the whole family to find solutions for the problems a parent faces. Many parent-based therapies work on a parent’s relationship with their children, problem-solving within the family, and analysis of family dynamics. Therapy conducted remotely by video may be helpful in allowing a therapist to observe how families interact in their own homes.
When should a parent seek therapy?
When behavioral problems begin to disrupt the healthy functioning of a family, it may be a good time to look into therapy. If parents find that children are acting out in school, have started using drugs or alcohol, have developed eating disorders, or other similar red flags, a therapist may be able to help.
How long does therapy take for parenting problems?
Depending on the severity of a family’s challenges and the type of treatment utilized, therapy for parenting can last from weeks to months. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a pragmatic therapy type that can be brief, most often ranging from between 5 and 20 sessions. Structural family therapy, which inspects family dynamics, often takes several months. Parent-child interaction therapy is typically shorter-term, lasting between 10 and 20 sessions. For any therapy, the duration will depend on the progress made and results realized.
Can therapy help parents dealing with burnout or stress?
Parenting is difficult. Parents may dismiss or conceal feelings of exhaustion, overwhelm, or escape ideation—imagining withdrawing from their parental obligations altogether. but left unattended, these feelings can have negative effects on the whole family. A therapist can help parents work on the skills they might need to better cope with the burdens of parenting and help them be the best parents they can be.