5 Benefits of Group Therapy for Pregnancy and Postpartum in Santa Barbara
Written by Annie Dreese, MA, AMFT
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.
5 Benefits of Joining a California Pregnancy & Postpartum Group:
Written by Annie Dreese, MA, AMFT
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.
Group Therapy: An inclusive space for new moms in California
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 moms, 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.
Join a Postpartum Group in Santa Barbara:
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, 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
About Thrive Therapy
Thrive Therapy Santa Barbara is located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara and offers in person therapy in our mountain view office and telehealth sessions throughout the state of California.
Thrive holds significant meaning for us. To thrive means: to grow through the hard things we go through. And when paired with therapy, we can’t imagine a better way to describe the heart, grit and tenacity it takes to do the brave work of looking inward, gently and kindly unlearn, heal and hold space for the lived experiences we’ve journeyed through.
At Thrive Therapy we specialize in working with pregnancy + postpartum mental health, We support pregnant and postpartum moms and non birthing parents navigating postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADS). Some clients reach out to navigate birth trauma, while others notice they are experiencing postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression or are struggling to synthesize the changes they are navigating and intergrate newfound parenthood into who they are today.
We also support individuals navigating disordered eating and body image, alongside anxiety, depression, grief and trauma.
We believe that therapy should feel inviting, warm and create a container to feel comfortable to open up. Enjoy a cup of a coffee or a la croix from our fridge, make yourself comfortable on our cozy white linen couch and enjoy our fiddle plants and neutral aesthetic as you sink into the moment and engage in your session.
Check out our current group offerings or reach out to schedule a complimentary consultation for individual therapy or group therapy in Santa Barbara, California. | hello@thrivetherapysb.com