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San Diego Perinatal Support Groups
Finding a safe, supportive space to connect can help you feel less alone during pregnancy and postpartum. We are sharing information about various in-person and online groups run by local providers that offer education, support, and group therapy.
These listings only include local offerings. Other reputable non-profit organizations offer groups, including Postpartum Support International (PSI), RESOLVE, Return to Zero, Hand to Hold and Star Legacy Foundation
If you’re a San Diego provider and would like to advertise your group, please complete this form to request that your group is added.
Just show up! San Diego Lactation offers a welcoming space for new and expecting parents to share your journey, swap tips, and get expert advice from certified lactation consultants. Meetings occur every Friday from 1:30 PM-2:30 PM inside the Escondido Hills Chiropractic office. With free infant feeding resources and a supportive community, it’s the perfect place to build your confidence as a new or expecting parent. Come find your weekly dose of encouragement and connection in this weekly circle. Partners welcome!
Focus Area: Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Support Group
Format: In- Person
Intended Audience: Any individual/parent- All genders
Location: 555 W Country Club Ln H, Escondido, CA 92026 (Inside Escondido Hills Chiropractic)
Fee: FREE
Duration: 10/10/2025- 12/27/2030, Every Friday, 1:30-2:30 PM
Contact Person: Corinne Breshears, Owner San Diego Lactation, RN, IBCLC, Newborn Care Specialist
How to Get In Touch: (760) 383-8509 ,Corinne@sandiegolactation.com
Website: https://www.sandiegolactation.com/
Mom’s Coffee Break
Wherever you are in your postpartum journey, join us for a time of support and connection the first Saturday of each month.
Intended Audience: For all moms
Time: 10am
Location: Intazza Coffee: 38860 Sky Canyon Dr. in Murrieta.
Contact Person: Ashlyn Acikalin
How to Get in Touch: Email
Are you going through a life transition such as a new relationship, the birth of a child, divorce, parenting challenges, medical conditions, menopause, empty nest, or the loss of a loved one? The Transitions Women’s Group aims to create a community of women who support one another while redefining identities, building self-awareness and esteem, taking on new roles, and adjusting to various life stages. This group offers a safe space to work towards preferred ways of living and engaging with the world. Intended Audience: Women navigating life transitions
Location: 3636 Fifth Avenue, Suite 104, San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: 619-786-5850
Fee: $300 (prepaid)
Duration: Ten 90-minute weekly sessions
Contact Person: Mona Klausing, LMFT, Licensed Therapist & Co-Director, NISD Counseling
How to Get In Touch: mona@nisdcounseling.org
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.
Location: 3636 Fifth Avenue, Suite 104, San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: 619-786-5850
Fee: $300 (prepaid)
Duration: Ten 90-minute weekly sessions
Facilitator: Mona Klausing, LMFT, Licensed Therapist & Co-Director, NISD Counseling
Reserve Your Spot, Email: mona@nisdcounseling.orgn Murrita. Contact therapy@ashlynacikalin.com with questions.
The My Brain & My Baby program offers group therapeutic counseling to help parents navigate the emotional challenges of complicated pregnancies and NICU journeys. Sessions are available in both English and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for all families. Additionally, all NICU parents can shop for FREE at the Miracle Babies Baby Boutique.
Contact Person: Marleys Padilla, LCSW, PMH-C
How to Get in Touch: info@miraclebabies.org
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.
Intended Audience: Up to 15 dads.
Location: La Jolla/UTC area. Participants will be notified of the specific location in advance of the class.
Time: Saturday, 9:00 am-noon
Website: My Brain & My Baby
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.
Pregnancy and childbirth classes in San Diego. Classes to help expecting parents get ready for their new arrival, including preparing for labor and delivery.
Intended Audience: All parents
Time: Fridays from 10a-11am.
Fee: Donation Based
Location: San Diego Breastfeeding Center 8325 University Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942.
Contact Person: Bre Booren, IBCLC.
How to Get In Touch: Register Here
Website: SHARP Pregnancy and Childbirth Classes
Grief is a natural process following the death of an important person in someone’s life. While grief is universal, a parent never expects to lose a child, making this type of grief extremely unique and isolating. You don’t have to navigate this alone. Connecting with others who have also experienced a child loss can provide an easier path toward healing.
Total number of sessions: 10
The Grief and Loss group is currently on hold, but any clients interested in attending are welcome to join the waitlist through the page!
Intended Audience: Any parent grieving the death of a child (age infant-18). Couples are welcome to attend together.
Time: Wednesdays starting September 18, 2024, 4:30pm-5:30pm
Fee: $350/person for the entire 10 weeks ($35 per week)
Location: In person at FWC (option to switch to virtual if preferred by majority of participants)
2650 Camino del Rio N Suite 305; San Diego, CA 92108
Contact Person: Alex Mers, LPCC #12122
How to Get In Touch: help@freedomwithincenter.com; 619-363-1920
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San Diego Mommy + Me
A 7-week group series for new moms. This is a supportive + educational group series designed to help you navigate your experience, combat information overload, 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 7-week series meets once a week for 90 minutes. Group registration opens monthly. www.sdmommyandme.com
Intended Audience: All new moms with babies 0-12 months
Time: 7-week series meets once a week for 90 minutes.
Contact Person: Renata Cameron
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.
Intended Audience: All new moms
Free prenatal/postpartum Pilates classes, support group & prenatal advocacy for Black moms.
Intended Audience: Black mothers
Contact Person: Contact Michele Schlanbusch
How to Get In Touch: 619-333-0323, tobeboundless@gmail.com
Ocean Beach
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.
Intended Audience: New moms
Time: September 17th – October 22nd, Tuesdays : 9:00-10:30 am, 6 week series
Location: Reunify Yoga outdoor yoga deck 4862 Voltaire St, Ocean Beach
Pricing: Sliding Scale ($20, $30, $40 or $115 for all 6 sessions )
Contact Person: Jackie Kowalik from Yoga Jawn
How to Get In Touch: Registration link and/or contact info:
The Mama Village: Building Bonds in Early Parenthood
My Brain & My Baby
If you’re a mama struggling with perinatal depression or anxiety and you’re looking for a sense of community during these isolating times, I hope you’ll join us for the next Afterglow Support Group in time before the Holidays! I couldn’t find anything like this when I was struggling and it’s profoundly important that we band together to help each other on this rollercoaster ride of motherhood.
We will cover topics related to coping tools, self-care, what to expect, questions to ask your provider when considering medication, communicating with your partner, and attachment with your baby, making meaning out of your motherhood experience, as well as provide a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space to process with each other. If you are experiencing pre-natal depression or anxiety, you are welcome to join!
To sign up, please email me at ashley.s.hanna@gmail.com so that I can send you the outline and weekly articles, and so that you can stay in touch with the other moms in your group and to review the group guidelines and consent form. This will help us save time on the day of and get started. Looking forward to meeting you and your little one!
If you can’t join us for some reason, I encourage you to read all of the Afterglow Handouts, a resource I am happy to share with any mama for free. Postpartum Support International has great information in the meantime, if you haven’t already checked it out. Always remember, you are not alone. There is hope. With treatment, you will be well.
Intended Audience: Any individual identifying as a mother
Focus Area: PMH Specific Treatment Group
Format: in-person
Location: Kate Sessions Park, 5115 Soledad Rd, San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: 661-965-0902
Time: Every Tuesday from 1-2:30 pm for six weeks, starting November 4th through December 16th (skipping Thanksgiving week)
Contact Person: Ashley Hanna-Morgan, LCSW, PMH-C
How to Get In Touch: ashley.s.hanna@gmail.com
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
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
Moderated by: Betsy Muirhead, Associate Marriage Family Therapist (AMFT140900) Supervised by Amber Rukaj, LMFT (CA LMFT No. 47649)
Intended Audience: All expecting moms
Fee: $30 a class, 4 class package for $90
Location: Song Birds Music, 2650 Truxtun Rd #109, San Diego (located in Liberty Station)
Time: Tuesdays 12 pm-1 pm, Sept 19, Sept 26, Oct 3, Oct 10 (4-week program)
Contact Person: Betsy Muirhead
How to Get In Touch: bmuirhead22@gmail.com
My Brain & My Baby
Register Here
This is a FREE virtual postpartum support group for moms in need. To learn more and to access this group, please call 858-939-4133. Groups held on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:00am.
Circle of Security Parenting is an interactive, psychoeducational group that supports and strengthens attachment relationships between parents and their children. Based in decades of attachment research, participants will learn to understand and support their child’s needs, and to better understand their own strengths and struggles in parenting.
Facilitated by: Jillian Early, LCSW, PMH-C. Contact Jillian for information and to register today.
www.jillianearlylcsw.com/circleofsecurity
A personalized live online video support group facilitated in San Diego, CA by a mental health 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 760-489-1092 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)
When: 1st and 3rd Monday of Every Month @ 12pm-12:40pm (First session August 5th)
Why: Because #momlife is hard and we need each other
Who: California Based Moms (all moms welcome, working moms, young moms, stay-at-home moms, expecting moms, new moms, moms of young children, moms of teens and everything in between)
What: Rejuvenating midday mom’s only drop in group. Mom life can feel isolating at times so jump on the call and get a little extra support, care, and maybe even a good laugh.
Grounded in Postpartum is a 10 week virtual support group meeting via Zoom starting Thursday, September 12th at 3pm, or the second option is Wednesday, September 18th at 7:30pm. The groups will be capped at 8 participants (babies are welcome!). Cost is $30 per session (sliding scale available. Facilitated by Johanna Lee, Licensed, Latina Thera-Mom. For questions, contact Johanna at mtm@jleebre.com.
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
This is a free virtual postpartum support group for moms in need. Group is held on Mondays, 2:30 – 3:30pm. Click on the link provided to learn more and register. For more details on registration contact Lori Alford. lori.alford@sharp.com or 619 740 3483.
Virtual, weekly DBT-informed skills group for pregnant and postpartum mamas. This group combines the healing power of a community of other moms that “just get it” with evidence-based skills and support from licensed therapists AND moms. No diagnosis is required and no diagnosis is too severe! Facilitated by Meghan Adamson, LMFT & Dre Bolinger, AMFT. For more information, contact Meghan Adamson, hello@houseofhealingsd.com, or 442-224-2495, or visit www.houseofhealingsd.com.
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
This group is led by Rachel Rabinor, psychotherapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and is for anyone with one or more living children who is struggling to have another child. This group meets virtually via Zoom and is open to women throughout California.
The journey to build a family can be lonely, scary and isolating when things aren’t going as you’d anticipated. Maybe you’ve lost touch with some of your friends or they just don’t understand what you’re going through. Even family, while well-meaning, often don’t get it.
The anxiety and stress of struggling to conceive, or maintain a pregnancy can feel overwhelming and the challenges of day to day life can make this time even more difficult. Perhaps you’re not sure what your next step is and how to navigate this stage of your life- this stage you never imagined having to go through in the first place. You don’t have to wrestle with all of this on your own! Please join us.
This 8-week group is for those struggling with:
- Anxiety, stress and/or overwhelm
- Feelings of isolation, loneliness or depression
- Relationship strains with your partner or other important people in your life
Benefits of a therapy group for infertility include:
- Support from other people who get it
- Learning mind-body practices that reduce stress
- Developing and practicing new coping strategies
- Reduced feelings of isolation
- Practice sharing thoughts and feelings about infertility experience
Cost: $85 per group session; 8-week commitment required. Groups will begin in January, March, May, August, and October of 2025. Please reach out to inquire about exact start dates.
Please email Rachel to for more information or to schedule your intake appointment.
TGN Therapy is offering two different loss support groups:
Virtual 1st Trimester Loss Group
- 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
- 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.
Free + virtual mental health support for parents enduring pregnancy or infant loss. Facilitated by Kirsteen Payne, ASW + PSI trained. For more information, visit www.unionfamilycounseling.com or email marelys@unionfamilycounseling.com.
This group will extend over 6 weekly sessions in which we openly discuss the challenging dynamics of relationships under stress, explore actionable and research-based strategies to strengthen relationships, and build community with other couples in a similar phase of life. The ultimate goal is to enhance the couple’s ability to both support and be supported by each other while connecting with others who understand the strain of repeated treatments, loss, pregnancy complications, money worries, and feelings of loneliness. Please find details on the website.
This group is run by Grayson Wallen, Certified Gottman Therapist and Dr. Danielle Eldred, PhD, LCSW. Both have experience and backgrounds in treating relationships with loss and navigating the effects of infertility struggles in their private practices
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
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!
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 offers over 50 FREE online support groups for various needs. View and register HERE.
Examples of past and current perinatal group offerings include:
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!
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.
Reach out for details on the next group start date:
Laura Rascon, ASW at
760-489-1092, Ext. 3, Laura@inpsychcenter.com or go to https://inpsychcenter.com/
“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