Group Therapy
Get Connected: Join a Therapy Group in Santa Barbara
Learn more about our current groups—enrolling now
There is ample research that shows that preventative care for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADS) begins in pregnancy and outlets like support groups can serve as a nurturing ally in preventing or combatting PMADS.
Here at Thrive Therapy we believe in growing through the hard things we go through. And whether you are already in the trenches of this new season or you are wanting to take thoughtful steps to build a team of friends and fellow humans to journey with -- we are here to cultivate that space for you!
Join our group as an act of love and care for the future you. Maybe you are newly pregnant and beginning to emotionally and physically prepare for your new addition. Perhaps you are in the thick of postpartum and feeling the need for a space to explore, find camaraderie and connection to nurture the human parts of yourself that need tending: like friendship, space to explore your feelings and find commonality and connection.
The Details
When: weekly on Tuesdays from 11am-11:50am
Where: virtually from the comfort of your home!
Commitment: We ask for a 8-week commitment to help the cohesion of the group and to create a beautiful bond with participants that can extend beyond the hour of connection. However, the group is designed with you in mind. Perhaps you join the first round and decide that the weekly support is an essential part of this season of life -- enroll for a second round. We customize each round with different topics, themes, questions, and opportunities to hold space for all the multifaceted parts of who you are and the journey you are on.
Investment: This group is $60 a week and billed weekly. Your first session is complimentary to see if it’s a good fit.
We cap the group at 5-8 participants to create ample time and space for each person to share.
*By filling out this form, you are expressing interest in claiming a spot. Before you are officially enrolled, we will reach out once we receive your application and do a quick 20 minute phone call to share more and learn more about your journey of pregnancy and postpartum to ensure it's a good fit.
THRIVING THROUGH PREGNANCY + POSTPARTUM: A WEEKLY VIRTUAL THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT GROUP FOR PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM MOMS
An ongoing group: takes place weekly on Tuesdays from
11am-11:50 am. New members welcome—join at anytime!
This group is a weekly online therapeutic support group created for pregnant and postpartum moms to have a safe place to explore the thorns and roses of pregnancy and postpartum. Led by Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, Annie Dreese.* Try out your first week on us to check it out. Sign up here to learn more.
How This Group Can Support You
This group is for you if you had an experience in childbirth that was challenging, unexpected, or difficult and you want a space to process, grieve, and rewrite it in the company of other women with similar stories. Additionally this group offers:
A supportive community of other women who have experienced similarly challenging birth experiences.
A space to write about, discuss, and process challenging emotions related to your childbirth.
A guided experience to support you on your path to healing and reframing your birth.
The Details
When: weekly on Wednesdays from 11-11:50am
Where: virtually from the comfort of your home!
Commitment: This is a closed 10-week group, including a writing component to process, journal and hold space for your lived experience. Because of the nature of this group and to increase safety, connection and closeness between participants, this sacred space is carefully coordinated to be consistent, composed of the same participants for 10 weeks and will encourage deep bonds of friendship, community and camaraderie.
This group is $60 a week and billed weekly.
We cap the group at 5-8 participants to create ample time and space for each person to share.
*By filling out this form, you are expressing interest in joining this group. Before you are officially enrolled, we will reach out once we receive your application and do a quick 20 minute phone call to share more and learn more about your journey of pregnancy and postpartum to ensure it's a good fit.
Rewriting Your Birth Story: Holding Space for Those Who Have Experienced Challenging or Traumatic Births.
A closed 10 week group: takes place weekly on Wednesdays from 11am-11:50am.
New members welcome — if the group has begun, save your spot in the next round by reaching out today.
This group is a weekly online therapeutic support group for those who need a space to process their birth story.
Even if everything goes according to plans (does it ever though?) giving birth is an intense and transformational experience. Most people are profoundly changed by the experience and many (too many) experience traumatic births that often show up months and even years later in hard ways.
How This Group Can Support You
Meet Your Group Leader
Annie Dreese, MA, AMFT
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Annie is a wife, mama, and Associate of Marriage and Family Therapist* at Thrive Therapy. Annie has both personal and professional experience in motherhood and mental health! Annie is passionate about healing in community and helping mamas find their joy and strength amidst the challenges that come along with motherhood.
*Annie Dreese, MA, AMFT #137377 is under the clinical supervision of Claire Blakey, MA, LMFT #119518
Let’s lean in together and hold space for all you’ve journeyed through
Group Therapy: Healing in Community
Group Therapy is a valuable alternative to individual therapy as well as a facilitator in strengthening your support system, equipping you with tools, community, and creating a safe space for you to process in a whole new way whatever challenge you are growing through.
Individual therapy is personalized, strategic, and custom to your experience — whereas group therapy can often provide a comfort, camaraderie, and a community that can aid in accelerated growth. Imagine the impact of hearing others vocalize thoughts, experiences and struggles that you have silently journeyed through. There is strength that grows through practicing vulnerability and courage that wells up when you are inspired by others bravery to show up authentically. Plus, you never know who you’ll be encouraging by sharing your unique life journey, healing and perspective.
$60 a week for 50-minute session
What is group therapy for pregnancy and postpartum?
Group therapy is when several people meet together to share about their challenges and experiences under the guidance of a mental health therapist. Group therapy can be an effective and supportive way to process emotions, and gain tools to combat what you are navigating. Different from a support group, group therapy tends to be more formal and structured, and is always led by a mental health professional.
Benefits of group therapy for parents in Santa Barbara
1. CONNECT WITH A COMMUNITY OF OTHER SANTA BARBARA MOMS
You aren’t alone! Feeling supported by other moms in your community is an essential part of your well-being, especially as you are navigating pregnancy or postpartum. It can be hard to make new friends in postpartum who are going through similar experiences as you and group therapy can foster beautiful friendships and connections in Santa Barbara.
2. LEARN NEW COPING SKILLS
How can you take care of yourself, day to day? What are other Santa Barbara moms doing that helps their mental health? What does the therapist leading the therapy group recommend? Often times group therapy includes psychoeducation, tools, and resources to help you thrive through pregnancy and postpartum.
3. CREATE SPACE TO PROCESS EMOTIONS
It can feel really good to talk about everything that is happening in your heart, mind, and life, and feel seen and heard for these experiences and feelings. We love our husbands and partners, but sometimes, you just need to talk to someone who innately “gets it!” And bonus — they are also covered in spit up, navigating sleep progressions, gaining courage to go in public with their new little one and navigating the puberty-like experience that is matrescence - the journey of becoming a mother: mentally, physically, emotionally and relationally.
4. GAIN CONFIDENCE AND A SENSE OF EMPOWERMENT
It’s a built-in team of empowered friendship! In groups, you will celebrate each others’ littlest wins (did you and your baby both eat today? Success! Did you successfully shower AND go to a coffee shop for a quick cup? Yes girl! These moments deserve celebration from a team who knows how challenging it can be).
5. PREVENT POSTPARTUM MOOD AND ANXIETY DISORDERS (PMADS)
Group support in California is one of the most protective factors against postpartum depression and anxiety. Especially if you have a history of struggling with depression, anxiety or trauma, a group space can be so healing. It can also be helpful to have the support of a licensed therapist or associate therapist to keep an eye on things and help you access additional support if needed.
How effective is group therapy?
While individual therapy is also so useful in this phase of life, group therapy in Santa Barbara provides a unique benefit in the way that it connects you to other mamas, giving you a sense of community that is so often missing in our busy day-to-day lives. There aren’t many places (though there should be!) where your not-brushed-teeth-mom-bun-PJs on-baby-attached-to-you self is welcomed and loved.
How group therapy supports individual growth as a new mom
Does group therapy resonate or feel like a supportive option for your mental health journey? Thrive Therapy Santa Barbara offers support groups for new and expecting moms, both in person and virtually throughout the state of California. If you are pregnant or postpartum and live in Santa Barbara, reach out today.
We host in-person support groups in downtown Santa Barbara. We also offer telehealth therapy and postpartum support groups in California. These are led by a mental health therapist who has advanced training in perinatal mental health. Through community, conversations and a bit of courage, join in on our healing and supportive groups that will nurture your pregnancy and postpartum mental health.
Check out our current group offerings or reach out to schedule a complimentary consultation for individual therapy or group therapy in Santa Barbara. You can email us directly here: hello@thrivetherapysb.com