Support Groups in Santa Barbara County
If you are interested in participating in a support group, please fill out inquiry form. We will follow up with you and provide you will all of the information you need to participate. Below are days/times we are considering but you will have the opportunity on the inquiry form to suggest others that you think would be better. View our blog to learn about the benefits of participating in a support group.
Groups are held at either the SBCC Wake Center [RM 15] on Turnpike or Inclusive Arts Clubhouse in La Cumbre Plaza [view Map]. Some groups may have hybrid option. Most youth groups are held at Rose Wellness.
Contact us at [email protected] with questions and comments.
View community calendar for a full schedule of community groups throughout Santa Barbara County.
Groups are FREE to ATTEND. DONATIONS are encouraged to help sustain groups. Any amount is appreciated.
ParentConnect group
HOSTED BY YOUTHWELL • view calendar for schedule
A weekly drop-in, peer support group for parents and caregivers of a tween, teen, or young adult struggling with a mental health challenge.
Connect with other parents, practice skills to effectively and compassionately support your child, your family, and yourself, and learn tools to help regulate your emotions.
Sundays, 4:30pm-6:00pm [starts in July]
Location: La Cumbre Plaza
LaunchWell parent group
HOSTED BY YOUTHWELL • view calendar for schedule
A monthly drop-in, peer support group for parents of young adults who are navigating the college years as well as this time of transition as a parent.
1st Wed of the month 6-7:00pm [Sept 6, Oct 4, Nov 1, Dec 6, Jan 10, Feb 7, Mar 6, Apr 3, May 1]
Fall: Starts in September
Location: La Cumbre Plaza
ParentWell groups
HOSTED BY YOUTHWELL • view calendar for schedule
A 3-week skills building support group for parents to learn strategies to help navigate the tween, teen, and young adult years. Focused on strengthening parent-child relationships, improving communication, and promoting family resiliency. *Contact us if you'd like to put together your own group of parents.
Tentative Schedule...
SERIES 1: July 10, 17, 24 [9-10:30am]
SERIES 2: Aug 14, 21, 28 [9-10:30am]
SERIES 3: Sept 11/12, 18/19, 25/26 [5-6:30pm/6:30-8pm]
SERIES 4: Oct 2/3, 9/10, 16/17 [5-6:30pm/6:30-8pm]
SERIES 5: Nov 6/7, 13/14, 27/28 [5-6:30pm/6:30-8pm]
Location: SBCC Wake Center
[Group is not part of, nor endorsed by Santa Barbara City College.]
New topics offered in each 3 week series...
[3 weeks]
UNDERSTANDING 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.
[3 weeks]
STRENGTHENING 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.
[3 weeks]
NAVIGATING TWEEN/TEEN SOCIAL WORLD
[DIGITAL & IN-PERSON]
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.
[3 weeks]
NAVIGATING 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.
TeachWell group
HOSTED BY YOUTHWELL • view calendar for schedule
Peer support group for teachers of tweens & teens to connect, share challenges, and learn strategies for building trusting relationships with students and get support.
We know that students learn best in relationship, 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.
Summer: July 10, 17, 24 [TBD: 10:30am OR 4:30]
Fall: Monthly [Sept-May, day/time TBD]
Location: SBCC Wake Center
[Group is not part of, nor endorsed by Santa Barbara City College.]
TeenWell: 9th-12th grade
HOSTED BY ROSE WELLNESS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUTHWELL • view calendar for schedule
8 week series - Rose Wellness DBT group for incoming 9th-12th graders focused on skill building in areas of regulating emotions, tolerating stress, and improving relationships!
Summer: 4pm - June 12-Aug 7 (no group July 3)
Fall: Starts in September
YouthConnect: ages 14-25
HOSTED BY YOUTHWELL • view calendar for schedule
[starts in September - day/time TBD] weekly drop-in peer support group for teens and young adults (14-17 & 18-25) after treatment to support reintegration into normal life. Connect with others who have experienced similar challenges and get support in the recovery process in a non-judgmental environment. Students commit to attending a minimum of 1 time a month in order to focus on their wellness and recovery.
community groups, education, workshops
There are many opportunities to connect and learn. Many of our community organizations offer support groups for parents and youth as well as parent education. View the Community Calendar for a schedule of community groups, trainings, and workshops
Facilitators
If you are interested in being a LEAD Facilitator or a CO-LEAD, please fill out our facilitator application.