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 GROUPS@youthwell.org or call 805.770.1930 ext 103

2025-2026 CALENDAR • MONDAYS

• JUN 9, 16, 23, 30
• JUL 7, 14, 21, 28
• AUG 4, 11, 18, 25
• SEPT 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• OCT 6, 13, 20, 27
• NOV 3, 10, 17 [no group Nov 24]
• DEC 1, 8, 15 [no group Dec 22 & 29]
• JAN 5, 12, 19, 26
• FEB 2, 9, 16, 23

Grupo de Padres para padres de jóvenes de 10 a 18 años...

• FECHA/HORA: 1st & 3rd MARTES • 6:00PM-7:30PM • 2x mes • grupo sin cita previa
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• UBICACIÓN: Virtual • asistir vía Zoom
  **El enlace de Zoom se le enviará por correo electrónico después de 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 los padres/cuidadores de jóvenes de 5 a 18 años a asistir.
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• IDIOMA: Este es un grupo de habla hispana.
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• FACILITADORAS: Florita 

Si tiene preguntas o comentarios, envíe un correo electrónico GROUPS@youthwell.org o texto 805.770.1239

CALENDARIO 2025-2026 • MARTES/Tuesdays

• JUNIO 17, 24 [modificado para honrar las graduaciones escolares]
• JULIO 1, 15
• AGOSTO 5, 19
• SEPTIEMBRE 2, 16
• OCTUBRE 7, 21
• NOVIEMBRE 4, 18
• DICIEMBRE 2, 16
• ENERO 6, 20
• FEBRERO 3, 17

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**
  **All January 2025 meetings virtual**
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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 the specific needs of parents raising neurodiverse youth: emotional regulation, time management, and 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 GROUPS@youthwell.org or call 805.770.1930 ext 103

TOPIC MEETING • 1st Thurs of the month

• JUL 10
  Life Skills Practice
• AUG 7
  Kicking Off the School Year on the Right Foot
• SEPT 4
  Basics of ADHD+ & Executive Function
• OCT 2 
  School Communication & Advocacy
• NOV 6
  Focus Strategies & Family Routines
• DEC 4 
  Prepping for Holidays w/ ADHD+ Households
• JAN 8
  Setting SMART Goals in the ADHD+ Home
• FEB 5
  Basics of ADHD+ and Executive Functions
• MAR 5
  School Communication & Advocacy
• APR 2
  Focus Strategies & Family Routines
• MAY 7
  The ADHD+ End-of-School Wrap-Up & Summer Prep
• JUNE 4
  Summer Prep for Neurodiverse Families

2025-2026 CALENDAR • THURSDAYS

• JUNE 5, 19, 26 (all June meetings virtual)
• JULY 10, 17, 24, 31 (no group Jul 3)
• AUG 7, 14, 21, 28
• SEPT 4, 11, 18, 25
• OCT 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• NOV 6, 13, 20 [no group Nov 27]
• DEC 4, 11, 18 [no group Dec 25]
• JAN 8, 15, 22, 29
• FEB 5, 12, 19, 26

TeachWell for Teachers and School Staff in Santa Barbara County...

• DATE/TIME: TBD - groups require a minimum of 6 regular participants. if you are interested, please register and/or email groups@youthwell.org • 2x month • drop-in group
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• LOCATION: VIRTUAL 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 & school staff of tweens & teens to connect, share challenges, and learn strategies for building trusting relationships with students, and get support. We 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 a relationship with others, and we also know that as they enter the teen years, they begin to pull away from their family in favor of their 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 & school staff 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 GROUPS@youthwell.org or call 805.770.1930 ext 103

2025-2026 CALENDAR • Thursdays

• Postponed through Dec 2025

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 truly 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 productive exchanges about the challenges they're facing in the classroom.
   Understand the difference between conflict and disagreement, and how to maintain a connection with students when challenges arise 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 - groups require minimum 6 regular participants. if you are interested, please register and/or email groups@youthwell.org • 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 GROUPS@youthwell.org or call 805.770.1930 ext 103

CALENDAR

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

• DATE/TIME: TBD - groups require a minimum of 6 regular participants. If you are interested, please register and/or email groups@youthwell.org • monthly • drop-in group
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• LOCATION: Hybrid • attend in-person at YouthWell office, 1528 Chapala St, Suite 203 OR via Zoom 
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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: TBD

If you have questions or comments, please email GROUPS@youthwell.org or call 805.770.1930 ext 103

2025-2026 CALENDAR • GROUPS • MONDAYS

• TBD

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.
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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

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

Groups are a safe space to discuss your circumstances with others who understand how you feel and can offer their perspective. Groups help participants feel less alone, provide a sense of hope, and offer 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 prioritize their own self-care to build resilience.

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.