Support Groups in Santa Barbara County

ParentConnect for parents/caregivers of youth, ages 12-25, struggling with a mental health challenge...

• DATE/TIME: MONDAYS • 12PM • weekly • drop-in group
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• LOCATION: Hybrid • attend in-person at YouthWell office, 1528 Chapala St., Suite 203 OR via Zoom 
  **zoom link will be emailed to you after you register for the group**
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• DESCRIPTION: Learn skills to effectively and compassionately support your child struggling with any type of mental health challenge while also setting boundaries, supporting siblings, and managing your own self-care.
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• PARTICIPANTS: parents/caregivers of youth, ages 12-25 are invited to attend
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• LANGUAGE: this is an English speaking group
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• FACILITATOR: Melissa

If you have questions or comments, please email [email protected] or call 805.770.1930 ext 103

2024-2025 CALENDAR • MONDAYS

• SEPT 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

• OCT 6, 13, 20, 27

• NOV 4, 11, 18 (no group Nov 25)

• DEC 2, 9 (no group Dec 16, 23, 30)

• JAN 6, 13, 20, 27 

• FEB 3, 10, 24 (no group Feb 17)

• MARCH 3, 10, 17 (no group Mar 24)

• APRIL 7, 14, 21, 28

• MAY 5, 12, 19, 26

ParentAllies Parents of LGBTQIA+ youth, ages 10-18...

• DATE/TIME: 1st MONDAY • 5PM • monthly • drop-in group
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• LOCATION: Hybrid • attend in-person at YouthWell office, 1528 Chapala St, Suite 203 OR via Zoom 
  **zoom link will be emailed to you after you register for the group**
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• DESCRIPTION: This group focuses on providing gender affirming and sex positive support, while holding an affirming space for parents and care-givers. The group will provide psychoeducational topics about the LGBTQIA+ community and hold open group discussions, plus Q&A, for parents and caregivers who desire an open and empathic group for learning, processing feelings, thoughts and emotions about supporting youth in our community. 
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• PARTICIPANTS: parents/caregivers of youth, ages 10-18 are invited to attend
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• LANGUAGE: this is an English speaking group
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• FACILITATOR: Kai & Jenny

If you have questions or comments, please email [email protected] or call 805.770.1930 ext 103

2024-2025 CALENDAR • GROUPS • MONDAYS

• OCT 7
• NOV 4
• DEC 2
• JAN 6
• FEB 3
• MAR 3
• APR 7
• MAY 5
• JUNE 2

2024-2025 CALENDAR • WORKSHOPS

• NOV 3 [zoom workshop, 5pm] Having conversations about sexuality and gender identity can be challenging. Understanding how to have those conversations from a place of love and acceptance can make all the difference in a young person's journey. Join us to learn about gender, sexuality, and a brief history. REGISTRATION REQUIRED >
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• FEB 2 [zoom workshop, 5pm] My child/teen just came out... now what?: How to support your kid/how to talk to kids about gender and sexuality
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• APRIL 13 [zoom workshop, 5pm] Transgender/Non-binary/Gender spectrum: what are pronouns/social & medical transition/ advocacy in schools and with doctors/importance of gender exploration and validation

Grupo de Padres para padres de jovenes de 10 a 18 anos...

• FECHA/HORA: 1st & 3rd MARTES • 6:00PM-7:30PM • 2x mes • grupo sin cita previa
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• UBICACIÓN: EN PERSONA • asistir en persona • YouthWell office, 1528 Chapala St, Suite 203  
  **registrarse para el grupo**
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• DESCRIPCIÓN: 
  Grupo de apoyo para padres de jóvenes hispanohablantes, de 10 a 18 años, que se lleva a cabo semanalmente en persona en Santa Bárbara.
  Support group for Spanish speaking parents of youth, ages 10-18, held weekly in-person in Santa Barbara.
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  Un grupo de desarrollo de habilidades para que los padres aborden los desafíos diarios de la crianza de los hijos, mejoren la comunicación y fortalezcan las relaciones entre padres e hijos. Aprenda a reconocer sus fortalezas, cómo manejar la crianza de los hijos durante los conflictos y cómo manejar el estrés mientras prioriza su autocuidado.
  A skills-building group for caregivers to address the daily challenges of parenting, improve communication, and strengthen parent-child relationships. Learn to recognize your strengths, how to handle parenting during conflict, and how to manage stress while prioritizing your self-care.
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• PARTICIPANTES: Se invita a asistir a los padres/cuidadores de jóvenes de 5 a 18 años.
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• IDIOMA: Este es un grupo de habla hispana.
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• FACILITADORAS: Florita & Candy

Si tiene preguntas o comentarios, envíe un correo electrónico [email protected] o llamar 805.770.1930 ext 103

CALENDARIO 2024-2025 • MARTES/Tuesdays

• OCTUBRE 15, 22
• NOVIEMBRE 5, 19
• DICIEMBRE 3
• ENERO 7, 21
• FEBRERO 4, 18
• MARZO 4, 18
• ABRIL 1, 15
• MAYO 6, 20

FamilyTools+ for parents/caregivers of youth, ages 5-18, with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, Tourette's, and uniquely-wired brains...

• DATE/TIME: THURSDAYS • 12PM • weekly • drop-in group
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• LOCATION: Hybrid • attend in-person at SBCC Wake Center, 300 N Turnpike OR via Zoom 
  **zoom link will be emailed to you after you register for the group**
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• DESCRIPTION: Address the day to day challenges of parenting, ideas for strengthening family connections, and how to prioritize your own self-care and wellness while learning tips from other parents. *Focus on specific needs of parents raising neurodiverse youth: emotional regulation, time management, building relationships with teachers/schools.
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• PARTICIPANTS: parents/caregivers of youth, ages 5-18 are invited to attend
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• LANGUAGE: this is an English speaking group
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• FACILITATOR: Kara

If you have questions or comments, please email [email protected] or call 805.770.1930 ext 103

TOPIC MEETING • 1st Thurs of the month

• SEPT 5
  Basics of ADHD+ & Executive Function
• OCT 3 
  School Communication & Advocacy
• NOV 7
  Focus Strategies & Family Routines
• DEC 5 
  Prepping for Holidays w/ ADHD+ Households
• JAN 9
  Setting SMART Goals in the ADHD+ Home
• FEB 6
  Basics of ADHD+ and Executive Functions
• MAR 6
  School Communication & Advocacy
• APR 3
  Focus Strategies & Family Routines
• MAY 1
  The ADHD+ End-of-School Wrap-Up & Summer Prep
• JUN 5
  Strengthening Connections with your Child/Teen
• JUL 3
  Life Skills Practice
• AUG 7
  Kicking Off the School Year on the Right Foot

2024-2025 CALENDAR • THURSDAYS

• SEPT 5, 12, 19, 26
• OCT 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• NOV 7, 14, 21 (no group Nov 28)
• DEC 5, 12 (no group Dec 19 & 26)
• JAN 9, 16, 23, 30 (no group Jan 2)
• FEB 6, 13, 20, 27
• MARCH 3, 13, 20 (no group Mar 27)
• APRIL 3, 10, 17, 24
• MAY 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

TeachWell for teachers in Santa Barbara County...

• DATE/TIME: 1st & 3rd THURSDAYS • 3:30PM • 2x/month • drop-in group
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• LOCATION: Hybrid • attend in-person at YouthWell office, 1528 Chapala St, #203 OR via Zoom 
  **zoom link will be emailed to you after you register for the group**
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• DESCRIPTION: Peer support group for teachers of tweens & teens to connect, share challenges, and learn strategies for building trusting relationships with students and get support. Teachers will explore strategies for motivating students, handling difficult conversations, reducing stress, and maintaining positive relationships without engaging in power struggles. 
  We know that students learn best in relationship with others, and we also know that as they hit the teen years, they begin to pull away from family in favor of peers. They still need adult role models in their lives, so how can we as educators build trust with them and create connections that will enhance their learning environment? Join us to explore how to capitalize on the attributes of the adolescent brain to create trusting relationships.
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• PARTICIPANTS: teachers in Santa Barbara County are invited to attend
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• LANGUAGE: this is an English speaking group
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• FACILITATOR: Kari

If you have questions or comments, please email [email protected] or call 805.770.1930 ext 103

2024-2025 CALENDAR • Thursdays

• OCT 3, 17
• NOV 7, 21
• DEC 5 [no group Dec 19]
• JAN 9, 23 [skipping 1st week of Jan] -- Managing Stress: Educator edition
• FEB 6, 20 -- The difference between punishment and consequences
• MAR 6, 20 -- Having difficult conversations with tweens and teens
• APR 3, 17 -- Teens, Tweens, and Technology
• MAY 1, 15 -- Developing Self-Awareness and Critical Thinking in Students

TOPIC BREAKDOWN...

1. Adolescent Brain & Social Development Basics
   Understand how to assess different learning styles and help students use that knowledge to be more effective in their school experience, share ideas about how to motivate students to stay engaged in the classroom with the material you're teaching, and brainstorm how to prioritize process (learning) over outcomes.
2. Learning Styles: Differences and how to support them
3. Mindfulness: Ideas and Activities for Students
4. Managing Stress: Student edition
5. Managing Stress: Educator edition
6. The difference between punishment and consequences
7. Having difficult conversations with tweens and teens
   Identify the most common barriers to communicating with adolescents and learn ways to really listen to kids when they come to you with concerns or frustrations, brainstorm ways to help calm students' nervous systems so that you can have exchanges about challenges they're facing in the classroom.
   Understand the difference between conflict and disagreement and how to maintain a connection with students when there are challenges without getting locked in a power struggle, help students examine the stories they tell themselves about what they're capable of and dismantle them.
8. Teens, Tweens, and Technology
9. Developing Self-Awareness and Critical Thinking in Students
   Learn how to help students assess their own stories and triggers so that they can begin to challenge some of the habits and behaviors they have that are making things more challenging for them.

Please fill out this MTG TIME PREFERENCE FORM >

LaunchWell is a monthly virtual drop-in for parents of youth, ages 18-25...

• DATE/TIME: TBD - this group will start up in January • 2x month • drop-in group
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• LOCATION: Hybrid • attend in-person at YouthWell, 1528 Chapala St, suite 203 or via Zoom
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• DESCRIPTION: For parents/caregivers of young adults who are navigating the college/early adult years as well as this time of transition as a parent. Discuss topics related to launching young adults to college, vocational programs, jobs, and independent living. Focused on strengthening parent-child relationships,​ setting boundaries, and improving communication. 
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• PARTICIPANTS: parents/caregivers of youth, ages 18-25 are invited to attend
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• LANGUAGE: this is an English speaking group
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• FACILITATOR: TBD

If you have questions or comments, please email [email protected] or call 805.770.1930 ext 103

CALENDAR

Please fill out this MTG TIME PREFERENCE FORM >

FamilyTools for parents/caregivers of youth, ages 10-18...

• DATE/TIME: TBD - this group will start up in January • weekly • drop-in group
  -
• LOCATION: Hybrid • attend in-person at YouthWell, 1528 Chapala St, suite 203 OR via Zoom
  -
• DESCRIPTION: A skills-building group for parents/caregivers to address the daily challenges of parenting, improve communication, and strengthen parent-child relationships. Learn to recognize your strengths, how to handle parenting during conflict, and how to manage stress while prioritizing your self-care. 
  -
• PARTICIPANTS: parents/caregivers of youth, ages 10-18 are invited to attend
  -
• LANGUAGE: this is an English speaking group
  -
• FACILITATOR: TBD

If you have questions or comments, please email [email protected] or call 805.770.1930 ext 103

CALENDAR • TBD

WELLNESS WORKSHOPS via ZOOM > 

NOV 3, 5:00-6:30pm - Meaningful Ways to Volunteer for high school students

• [zoom workshop] Non-Profit Panel of 20+ SB County organizations will share about how students can create meaningful ways to volunteer. Completing community service hours is more than checking a box off the to-do list... it’s learning about the joy of volunteering, learning new skills, and an opportunity to grow and discover new passions. Find which areas (animals, arts & culture, homelessness, environment & science, education, camps, elderly) are meaningful to you. Volunteering helps people manage stress, feel connected, and increase self-confidence.

NOV 3, 5:00-7:00pm - SUPPORTING OUR LGBTQIA+ YOUTH for parents of LGBTQIA+ students

• [zoom workshop] Having conversations about sexuality and gender identity can be challenging. Understanding how to have those conversations from a place of love and acceptance can make all the difference in a young person's journey. Join us to learn about gender, sexuality, and a brief history. REGISTRATION REQUIRED >

NOV 11, 4:30-6:30pm - Talking to Kids about Mental Health for parents of tweens & teens 

• [zoom workshop] It can be really hard to figure out how to have a conversation with your adolescent about stress, anxiety, and depression, but with more and more young people feeling overwhelmed and burned out, it's important for us to open up those lines of communication. Join us to get some talking points, learn about ways to talk about suicide and mental health challenges, and finding support for your tween/teen and the whole family.

FEB 2, 5:00-7:00pm - SUPPORTING OUR LGBTQIA+ YOUTHfor parents of LGBTQIA+ students

• [zoom workshop] My child/teen just came out... now what?: How to support your kid/how to talk to kids about gender and sexuality

APRIL 13, 5:00-7:00pm - SUPPORTING OUR LGBTQIA+ YOUTH for parents of LGBTQIA+ students

• [zoom workshop] Transgender/Non-binary/Gender spectrum: what are pronouns/social & medical transition/ advocacy in schools and with doctors/importance of gender exploration and validation

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID & QPR CERTIFICATION for parents, students, community members

• ONGOING TRAININGS • Certification course teaches teens & adults to recognize, understand & respond to signs of a mental health challenge. VIEW UPCOMING TRAININGS >

OTHER TOPICS • DATES TBD

• UNDERSTAND THE TEEN BRAIN
  WHAT TO EXPECT: Learn about teen brain development, why teens act the way they do, and why identity development is so crucial during these years. Learn about the continuum of mental health,  common mental health challenges, what is typical behavior and when to be concerned. Learn tips for helping teens manage their stress and anxiety. Participants will leave with new ideas and a deeper understanding of how to navigate and support their child during the tween, teen, and young adult years.
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• STRENGTHEN PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS
  WHAT TO EXPECT: Changes in a teen's development come with big changes in their relationships with parents and family. Learn to strengthen these relationships through active listening and constructive responding. Learn to resolve conflicts in a way that is positive and nurturing. Explore the concept of developmental relationships, and learn  how to begin to share power with your teen so they can acquire decision-making skills and accountability for their choices. Learn how to validate your teen while setting and maintaining limits.
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• NAVIGATE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS
  WHAT TO EXPECT: As youth become more independent, it can be difficult to navigate outside influences, peer pressure, substance use, risk taking behaviors, and romantic relationships. Learn to be curious and a little uncomfortable in order to engage in your teens world by creating a safe space for them to open up and talk about the things that are important to them.
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• NAVIGATE TWEEN/TEEN [DIGITAL & IN-PERSON] SOCIAL WORLD
  WHAT TO EXPECT: Peer relationships are a vital part of the teen years. The people around them influence their social identities and the way they feel about themselves. Navigating the pressures of social media, lack of face to face connection, peer pressure,  toxic friendships, and bullying can create added stress for teens and cause social isolation. Learn how to support your teen in setting boundaries in their friendships, navigating screen time and unplugging from their devices.

A support group is a group of people facing similar challenges who share experiences and extend and receive support.

Groups are a safe place to talk about your circumstances with others who understand how you feel and can share their perspective. Groups help participants feel less alone, provide a sense of hope, and are an opportunity to gain valuable insight from those who are in different stages of their journey. Participants grow through shared experiences and get information that’s practical and constructive. Participants learn coping strategies, how to set boundaries, manage challenges and stress, strengthen relationships, and focus on their own self-care in order to build resiliency.

All groups stress confidentiality. Everything shared stays within the group. The format can be in-person, drop-in, virtual, ongoing, or run for a series of weeks. Some are educational and others are opportunities to share and learn from peers.

Support groups differ from group therapy... Support groups can be peer-led or led by mental health professionals. Facilitators have training and guide the process to create a safe space, but don’t provide therapy.

You will get the most out of a group if you attend regularly. It helps you get to know other group members and feel more comfortable. Participate in discussions - people are there to support, not judge. Be sensitive to others in the group. Recognize when a group isn’t the right fit and know you can always try a different group.