Pregnancy and Postpartum Stress Support Groups

** Note: Groups are paused for the time being. We will be starting another round of groups sometime in mid-Spring. Please check back in.

Are you overwhelmed? Anxious? Feeling alone and lonely? Looking to connect with others who might understand you?

Coping With Pregnancy Support Group

If you're here, you've likely been thinking that you need a bit more support in dealing with your pregnancy and are interested in connecting with other similarly-minded mamas-to-be. At various times of the year, I offer a pregnancy support group, "Coping with Pregnancy," in the Washington, DC metro area. Group size will be limited to 10 members. Sessions are held once a week and typically run for eight consecutive weeks depending on the cycle.

The trials and tribulations of pregnancy are often a very unique experience and can lead to a feeling of being alone or isolated. I've heard from a lot of pregnant mamas that they're looking to connect with other women who really understand what it's like to be growing a little human inside their bodies. Pregnancy can bring with it feelings of anxiety, depression, identity confusion, partner struggles, etc. Not to mention physical body changes and the stress of having to figure out how to best care for an infant and nurture a child. Group support can impart a level of comfort in knowing that others are having or have had similar experiences. The compassion, honesty, and wisdom of the group can become a tremendous source of strength and support. My role as the therapist is to promote a safe and supportive environment, gently guide the group, and highlight patterns of thinking and behavior that may be getting in the way of living your life. I'll also teach and encourage the use of movement and mindfulness meditation as a means towards coping with and reducing stress as well as manage anxiety.

A few of the things we'll be covering in group include:

• What pregnancy is supposed to look like vs. what it actually looks like

• Mood swings/Anxiety/Fears

• Methods for Stress Reduction

• Plans for Labor and Delivery

• Partner/Family Support and Mother-Baby Attachment

• What to expect in the 1st week with Baby

Postpartum Stress Support Group

This is a drop-in bimonthly mom support group (mom and baby group) that focuses on emotional support, learning skills for coping, and managing the stress related to the transition to parenthood. You will have a safe and non-judgmental space to share and learn from one another, while developing wellness strategies, social support, community, and reframing the challenges of parenthood as opportunities for personal and emotional growth. On occasion, we'll invite members of the community who are experts in their field to answer any questions the group may have around such things as medications during pregnancy/breastfeeding, the function of doulas and postpartum doulas, complementary therapies such as massage, yoga, and mindfulness meditation, etc. Babies are always welcome.

You might be asking yourself, "Is this group right for someone like me?" If you find pregnancy or parenting to be challenging, then yes, this group is right for you! Whether you're dealing with stress, depression, anxiety, birth trauma, fractures in your relationship(s), feeling overwhelmed by changes to your body and/or identity, a sleepless baby, a colicky baby, complicated in-laws (and parents), not feeling like you're a Mother Earth Goddess, feeling like your house is a mess all the time and it's making you crazy, or just looking to connect with some other women who really get what you mean by exhausted, then this group is right for "someone like you." You are not alone. 

Groups are facilitated by Cindy Kim, MSW, LICSW