Bay Area or California Virtual Pregnancy, Postpartum, and New Parent Support Groups
Virtual:
Lots of FREE Online Support Groups through Postpartum Support International
Therapist-Led Virtual New Parent Support Group
Starting August 24th, 2026
Join us online to share experiences, find encouragement, and build community among fellow parents.
What: Therapist-Led Virtual Support Group for New Parents
When: Mondays 2:00PM – 3:30PM on 8/24, 8/31, Tue 9/8 (makeup for Labor Day), 9/14, 9/21, and 9/28
Where: Virtual
Cost: $125 for 6 sessions or FREE for Partnership HealthPlan Members
Contact: rachael@biglifechangetherapy.com
Big Life Change Therapy
Group lead by Rachael Silard, AMFT, APCC
Registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist #160063
Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor #21338
Supervised by Ali Vogt, LMFT #47693
A group for processing birth experiences
Facilitated by Leah Chalofsky, LMFT (#83622), PMH-CThis group is a supportive space for anyone who has been through a birth that was unexpected or traumatic (whether recently or years ago). Heal, reflect, and connect with others who have had similar experiences. You'll be able to:
Share your story and process emotions in a safe, understanding space.
Learn tools to support your healing journey.
Engage with art invitations to process and find peace.
This group is for you if you are:
Processing the emotional and physical aftermath of childbirth.
Feeling unsettled, overwhelmed, or isolated after your birth experience.
Wanting to reflect on your birth story in a supportive, empowering environment.
Healing from a traumatic birth experience (e.g., medical complications, unexpected interventions, feelings of powerlessness, etc.).
Interested in gaining insight, coping strategies, and emotional tools to move forward.
Details:
When: Fridays, 10:30-12:00 PM, starting September 18 (or a later date depending on when a minimum of 4 participants sign up)
Where: Online, via video
Cost: $60-$80 per session, sliding scale
Duration: 5 sessions total, 1.5 hours each
** Babies in arms are welcome during the sessions
To sign up or learn more, contact Leah Chalofsky at:
415-305-1228
leah.chalofsky@gmail.com
Leahchalofsky.com
Becoming Fathers, a 10-week online support group for men navigating the transition into fatherhood.
Being a father is one of life's greatest joys, but the process of becoming a father involves some of the biggest challenges that men can experience in their adult lives. Few of us go into fatherhood prepared for what's in front of us as we try to meet the conflicting needs of our partners, children, and jobs. At the same time, our own experiences and needs can often get pushed down or go unseen. Friendships that we have relied on earlier in our adult lives can feel distant or inaccessible, and the emotional support that we previously received from our partners can disappear because of the constant need to care for a baby. We are alone precisely at the moment when we need the most help. By facing these challenges with courage and support, we can grow into men capable of being mature fathers and leaders.
When: weekly on Mondays from 6:15-7:30 p.m., September 28-December 7, 2026.
Cost: $550 for 10 session
Who Can Join? The group will include 10 men and the leader. It is open to all men who have a child less than 2 years old or are about to have a baby. Group members should have a willingness to examine their interpersonal behaviors, to share parts of their private lives, and to give and receive supportive feedback from a small supportive group.
The intention of this group is to create and foster a community where expecting fathers can explore the transition to parenthood. We will begin by getting to know one another, establishing our intentions for the group, and creating a foundation of trust. Throughout the group, members will have opportunities to reflect on their hopes, fears, expectations, and experiences of preparing for fatherhood while exploring how their own relationships and family histories shape the fathers they hope to become.
Through guided discussion and reflection, members will deepen their understanding of themselves, strengthen their capacity to navigate the changing responsibilities that accompany becoming a father, and cultivate a more intentional vision for fatherhood.
The group will emphasize connection, recognizing that many men experience this transition in isolation and benefit from having their experiences witnessed, validated, and normalized within a community of peers.
The group is intended for 5–8 people who share a commitment to attending consistently and engaging openly throughout the course of the group.
Schedule: Tuesdays, 7:00–8:30pm. In September, October, November (dependent on availability of those interested)
Format: Zoom or in-person in Berkeley, depending on group preference
Fee: Sliding scale, $30–$120/week
Marin/North Bay:
6-Week Pregnancy Education, Support & Therapy Series
Designed for moms due between late October 2026 - February 2027. Join a small group of women preparing not just for birth, but for the emotional transition into postpartum.
Located at Acorn Chiropractic Club in Petaluma
$330($55/group)
September 10th – October 15th
Thursdays: 5:30–7:00 PM
Facilitated by
DANA LEVANDOSKI, LCSW #104760, PMH-C
Perinatal Mental Health Therapist
www.danalevandoski.comThe group focuses on building…
Develop practical tools to navigate birth, matrescence and the unexpected with greater flexibility
Prepare for the 4th trimester by creating a personalized plan for support and communication
Addressing common perinatal mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts.
“Pathways: A Support Group for Postpartum Moms,” meeting from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm on Tuesdays from August 11th - September 15th, in-person in Greenbrae. Costs $150 for 6 sessions.
In This Group, Moms Will:
Learn about postpartum mood issues, from “baby blues” to worry, irritability, sadness, anxiety, and other emotional challenges
Examine identity shifts from pre- to post-baby life
Explore changes in marital/partner relationships when a new baby arrives
Develop relaxation and self-care tools
Cultivate healthy, realistic expectations for yourself
Explore childcare and/or return to work concerns
Tiny Humans, Tired Parents is a free, facilitated support group for new parents with babies under 12 months who are looking for connection rather than perfection. This is a space to slow down, exhale, and be with other parents who understand what this season can feel like.
This is an initiative sponsored by Mothers Care, and facilitated by licensed perinatal therapist Dana Levandoski, LCSW #104760, PMH-C.
You might be sleep-deprived, overwhelmed, unsure of yourself, or simply craving real conversation with other parents who get it. You don’t need to have the right words, or have it all together to be here.
When: Thursdays 10:30am-12pm
Where: UCC 825 Middlefield Drive, Petaluma, CA 94952
East Bay:
Postpartum support group in Oakland
When: Tuesdays 10am - 11:30am, August 25 - October 13
Who: Moms/birthing parents and babies ages 0-6 months
Where: Temple Sinai Family Center. Participants do not need to be affiliated with the synagogue or identify as Jewish to sign up.
Cost: $200 for 8 sessions
Sign up here and see below for additional details.
The Holding Place: A Postpartum Support Group:
Becoming a parent is a profound shift unlike any other and is often filled with more
complexity than expected. This 8-week group offers a warm, supportive space to
connect, share the full range of experiences and emotions that come with these first few
months, and feel held as you navigate life with your new baby. Open to moms/birthing
parents and babies ages 0-6 months.
Who: Mothers with babies ages 0–9 months (babies welcome)
When: Mondays, 1:00–3:00 PM
Where: 264 Arlington Ave, Kensington (North Berkeley)
Cost: $75/session
Format: Weekly 2-hour therapy group
Length: 3 months
Chime Postpartum is now enrolling for both a 1st time moms group starting September 2nd and a group for 2nd and 3rd timers starting September 21st.
Both groups are 9 week postpartum support programs for women/birthing or adopting parents who are approximately 3 weeks- 6 months postpartum/ or who have a baby who is 3 weeks- 6 months old when the program begins. Chime Postpartum is ideal for 2nd or 3rd time parents OR 1st time parents who are more interested in tools and guidance for their minds and hearts (rather than baby-care instruction- swaddling, breastfeeding, etc.)
Cost: $150 per week, sliding scale is available
Chime Postpartum consists of 3 distinct parts:
1) a two hour weekly group meeting in-person in Oakland. Sample of mtg:
time for mamas & babies to chat informally with each other/ get settled with tea and snacks
ice breaker/ thought-provoking check-in prompt
a 10-20 minute powerful but simple/accessible teaching on a mindfulness concept relevant to the postpartum phase complete with illustrative real-life examples that may make you laugh or cry or possibly both at the same time ;)
small group reflection time (sometimes on the previous week’s teaching as experienced by each mama/parent with her/their own particular mind/life/baby)
sharing with the larger group/ time for thoughts or questions
an uplifting ‘check-out’ prompt
2) optional one-on-one weekly supportive consultation
(a check-in call with me that is focused just on you and your current postpartum/ new baby experience/how you are experiencing the teachings as applied to your particular life/mind/body and family situation)
3) a forum for guided daily text-check-ins/support within small groups that helps to integrate the material and provide an additional optional layer of support- (There is no requirement to participate in the texting aspect of the program.)
A healthy organic brunch is served at every group meeting
What: This is an experiential and participatory workshop for birthing people who want to process a difficult birth, pregnancy, or postpartum period with the support of knowledgeable therapists and a compassionate community. We provide education and support, and share resourcing practices – including a healing-birth-trauma-specific bilateral stimulation model, designed to reduce triggers and alleviate suffering. We will also share journaling prompts, guided meditations, and expressive art exercises. We hope participants will leave the workshop understanding their journey more deeply and be able to hold the impacts of difficult childbirth(s) in the mind, body and soul with more ease and self compassion. This workshop is designed to continually resource participants to feel safe, supported and grounded as challenging emotions arise. This model was originally developed by Gena McCarthy, RN and LMFT #32708 and Perinatal Ceremonialist.
**While bilateral stimulation models do not provide the same scope as EMDR, this model makes use of some of the same methods.
When: Saturday September 19th 10am-4:00pm.
Where: East Bay Birth Collective, 6333 Telegraph Ave #103, Oakland, CA 94609
Cost: $250
For who: Birthing people who feel they need support processing difficult childbirth(s), labor and delivery experiences, and challenging beginnings to parenthood. This workshop is designed to be attended without children. Those who are currently pregnant are welcome.
By who: Sarah Connolly AMFT #145129 (Supervised by Macy Schoenthaler, LMFT #86214) and Meredith Isaksen AMFT #151125 (Supervised by Laura Rose LMFT #83808)
Contact us:
Sarah Connolly: (510) 696-0504 sconnolly@axismunditherapy.org
Meredith Isaksen: (510) 296-9293 meredithisaksen@gmail.com
Registration: Please follow the link below to begin the registration process. The cost is $250 for the six-hour circle. Before you attend the workshop, you will receive a 20 minute call to let you know what happens in the circle, learn more about what is calling you to the circle, and answer any other questions you might have. Your registration will be confirmed and you will be billed via Venmo after the pre-workshop phone call.
Queer Parents Support Group is a six-week, in-person support circle for LGBTQ+ parents and caregivers of babies ages 0–6 months.
When: We meet Thursdays 1pm - 3pm.
Cost: $295 for 6 weeks
Babies are welcome and encouraged!
The group is designed to help new queer parents build community during what can be a pretty isolating season. There will be a weekly facilitated session (led by myself) and a weekly meet-up (peer-led) every week. I'm an LCSW and primarily work with perinatal populations in my private practice, as well as a queer mom of two donor-conceived kids.
The intention of this group is to create and foster a community where expecting fathers can explore the transition to parenthood. We will begin by getting to know one another, establishing our intentions for the group, and creating a foundation of trust. Throughout the group, members will have opportunities to reflect on their hopes, fears, expectations, and experiences of preparing for fatherhood while exploring how their own relationships and family histories shape the fathers they hope to become.
Through guided discussion and reflection, members will deepen their understanding of themselves, strengthen their capacity to navigate the changing responsibilities that accompany becoming a father, and cultivate a more intentional vision for fatherhood.
The group will emphasize connection, recognizing that many men experience this transition in isolation and benefit from having their experiences witnessed, validated, and normalized within a community of peers.
The group is intended for 5–8 people who share a commitment to attending consistently and engaging openly throughout the course of the group.
Schedule: Tuesdays, 7:00–8:30pm. In September, October, November (dependent on availability of those interested)
Format: Zoom or in-person in Berkeley, depending on group preference
Fee: Sliding scale, $30–$120/week
These are resources that I’ve found or have been shared with me — I do not have any involvement in these groups. A listing does not indicate endorsement or experience with any of these resources. I try to keep the information updated, but I encourage you to reach out to the groups to verify the info.
