Southern California Support Groups

There are two different types of support groups in Southern California-- Peer-led Support Groups and Professionally-led Support Groups.

 Peer-led Support Groups

RESOLVE Peer-led Support Groups are informal opportunities for women and men experiencing infertility to connect with one another, to discuss their situations and to receive support from others who have had similar experiences or who are struggling with similar issues. Group moderators are volunteers and are not mental health professionals. Attendance is free. Please contact the group host before attending your first meeting.

Don’t see a support group in your area? Want to start a new group? The first step in the process is to attend a free one-hour TeleSeminar entitled “How to Start a Peer-Led Support Group”. After you attend that training you will be given instructions on next steps in the process. We hope to make this process as simple and straightforward for you as possible, while also ensuring that our hosts have been adequately prepared for their role as group leader.

Los Angeles County

Los Angeles/Eastside General Infertility Support Group
Meets on the first Saturday of the month from 11:30AM-1:00PM
For more information, please contact Amber at amberletter@gmail.com.

Los Angeles/ Santa Monica General Infertility Support Group
Meets on the first and third Thursday of the month from 7:00PM-9:00PM
For more information, please contact Faith at 310.367.0508 or drfaith@faithszalay.com.
Women only.

Hermosa Beach Peer-led Support Group
Meets on the second Saturday of the month from 10:00-11:30AM
For more information, please contact Trish at 818.469.7075 or tishtv@aol.com

Westside General Infertility Support Group
Meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
For more information, please contact Alison at Alison@alison-boyle.com.

Orange County

Hope After Loss Peer-led Support Group
Host: Sandi Sheehan
Meets monthly, dates vary
For those who have become pregnant with the help of fertility treatment but have later gone on to experience a loss or losses, who are considering resuming treatment and are in need of hope and support for possible attempts to come.
Please contact Sandi at sandisheehan@gmail.com before attending your first meeting.

Huntington Beach Adoption Support Group
Meets on the first Thursday of the month
For more information, please contact Cathy at cathdobo@msn.com or 562.644.3563

Irvine Exploring Childfree Support Group
Meets monthly, days vary
For more information, please contact Sharon at shwolfson@sbcglobal.net or 949.275.3595

Irvine General Infertility Support Group
Meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 6:30-8:30PM
Please contact Shelly at steensland1@hotmail.com or 949.305.5024 before attending your first meeting. 

San Diego

San Diego Cookies General Infertility Support Group
Host: Sarah
Meets every other Wednesday from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
Location: The group alternates between two locations. Please contact Sarah to confirm current meeting location before attending your first meeting at sandiegocookies@aol.com.

Ventura

Ventura County General Infertility Peer-led Support Group
Host: Amber McGuire
Meets on the last Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM
Location: Camarillo, CA
Please contact Amber at amcguire07@gmail.com or 805.504.6400 before attending your first meeting to find out location information.

 Professionally-Led support groups

Professionally-Led support groups are led by trained and licensed therapists who specialize in assisting individuals and couples with the special challenges presented by infertility. Participation in professionally-led groups involve fees set by the individual therapist and a commitment to a specific number of sessions.

Los Angeles, CA
Ovum Donation Support Group
Meets every other Wednesday evening from 7:00PM - 8:30PM
Led by Carole Lieber Wilkins, MFT at 310.470.9049 or familybuilding@verizon.net, http://www.lafamilybuilding.com/ (RSVP required)
For individuals and couples at all stages of the ovum donation process, parents and not-yet parents
5 Session Commitment Cost: $300 per couple for the five sessions

Sherman Oaks, CA
Women's General Infertility Support Group
Meets on Wednesday evenings from 7:00PM to 8.30PM
Led by Abigail Glass MFT. Call 818.903.6399 or email Abigail@AbigailGlassMFT.com for more information.
This group provides a safe and nurturing environment to explore all feelings, concerns and questions associated with growing your family through infertility treatment.  It is designed to educate and support you and help you to navigate all of the psychological, medical and spiritual aspects of the journey to your family.
Cost: $45.00 per group

West Los Angeles, CA
"Healing Infertility" Mind/Body Group
Meets on Mondays from 7:00PM-9:00PM
Led by Robin J Roberts, LCSW, PhD at 310.209.6292, robroblcsw@aol.com
The essence of fertility in women is receptivity, enhanced by the Relaxation Response.  This ten-week Mind Body Group, based on the Harvard model, teaches you the Relaxation Response techniques that counteract the negative effects of stressful treatments, and help you feel whole and receptive again.  Topics include infertility and stress, negative emotions and thoughts, healing the feminine and sexuality, and creating supportive relationships.
Cost: $500 for ten weeks, plus $50 supply fee (manual, CD, biodots, etc)
RSVP is required.

West Los Angeles, CA
Pre-Adoption Support Group
Meets every other Wednesday from 7:00PM - 8:30PM
Led by Carole Lieber Wilkins, MFT at 310.470.9049 or familybuilding@verizon.net (RSVP required)
For individuals and couples waiting to become parents through adoption
Cost: $60 per couple per session, 5 session commitment

Los Angeles, CA
Waiting for Parenthood by Adoption
Meets every other Wednesday from 7:00PM-9:00PM
Led by Carole Lieber Wilkins, MFT at 310.470.9049 or familybuilding@verizon.net (RSVP required)
Discuss the many ups and downs of waiting for your child.  We'll talk about how to endure the wait, how to prepare for a child in your home, how to know when a match is right, how to prepare extended family and more.
6-session commitment; $180 for six weeks

Laguna Hills, CA
General Infertility Support Group for Couples
Meets on Tuesdays from 6:30PM – 8:00PM
Led by Valerie Gelb, MFT 949.751.7380 or valeriegelb@hotmail.com
This group is for couples of all ages and all stages of treatment. The group will provide a confidential, supportive environment to meet other couples who are also experiencing difficulties conceiving a child. Learn to face infertility as a team while you receive the support and understanding of others in a similar situation. Topics of discussion will include: improving marital communication, increasing coping skills, understanding the emotional impact of infertility on you and your partner, how infertility affects sexuality, self-esteem and relationships as well as options including infertility treatments, third party reproduction, adoption and child-free living.
$50/couple per week

Tustin, CA
General Infertility Support Group for Women
Meets on Tuesdays from 7:00PM to 8:30PM
Led by Penny Joss Fletcher, MFT at www.infertility2adoption.com, 714.730.7996 or pennyjf@sbcglobal.net
This group focuses on helping women explore, acknowledge and understand their emotional reactions to infertility. Topics include the impact of infertility on identity, self-esteem, sexuality and relationships. Relaxation and other mind/body coping skills introduced and practiced. Information is also provided to help make decisions regarding various medical treatment options as well as adoption or childfree living.
Requires four week commitment with option to renew. $200 for 4 week commitment and initial interview. RSVP is required.

Laguna Hills, CA
General Infertility Support Group for Women
Meets on Mondays from 7:00PM – 8:30PM
Led by Valerie Gelb, MFT, 949.751.7380 or valeriegelb@hotmail.com
This group is for women who are frustrated and overwhelmed with the roller coaster of feelings connected with the diagnosis of infertility.  This group will provide a safe place to share experiences, express feelings, develop new coping skills and gain support from others who understand. In addition to group discussions, information and handouts will be provided on topics such as the impact of infertility on relationships, tips to improve communication with your partner, how to deal with friends and family, stress management, infertility treatments, adoption, 3rd party reproduction, childfree living and more.
Cost: $35/person per week

Tustin, CA
Pre-Adoption Support Group for Individuals and Couples
Meets on Mondays from 7:00PM - 8:30PM
Led by Penny Joss Fletcher, M.A., LMFT at 714.730.7996, www.infertility2adotion.com, pennyjf@sbcglobal.net
The group will explore various ways of adopting and the emotional issues involved so that you can make a decision that is right for you. We will discuss how to make the transition from medical treatment to adoption planning and explore the options available in open adoption. Enter this new journey toward parenthood with others and with helpful information!
Four week commitment with potential to renew. Cost for 4 weeks is $150/individual, $300/couple. RSVP is required.

Del Mar/Carmel Valley, CA
Mind/Body for Infertility Support Group
Meets every other Tuesday from 6:00PM to 7:30PM
Led by Karen Hall, PhD, 760.443.5425 or karenhallphd@aol.com. 
Develop skills to ease the process of infertility treatments and feel more in control.  Based on the Harvard School of M/B Medicine Infertility Program.
6 Session Commitment--Cost: $60 per couple per session/$50 for individuals.

Escondido, CA
Women’s General Infertility Support Group
Meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 6:00PM to 7:30PM.
Led by Rachael Stracka, LCSW 760.489.1092 or email through website at http://www.CreateMyBestLife.com
There are times when you may feel alone and overwhelmed in wanting to be pregnant, have a baby, start or grow your family. This group is for any woman at any point in her infertility journey. We provide a safe place for you to share the impact of infertility on your life, and for you to learn coping strategies for the emotional, physical and relational stresses of reproductive difficulties. You will learn and practice techniques for relaxation and focus based on mind/body work. You will also get information and support in the areas of self-esteem, decision-making, relationship difficulties, and all types of family-building options, including child-free.
Cost is $40/week. RSVP required. There is a 4 week commitment with options to extend.

San Diego, CA
Mind/Body Infertility Support Group
Meets every other Tuesday
Led by Karen Hall, PhD at 760.443.5425 or karenhallphd@gmail.com or visit her website at http://www.infertilitycounselingandsupport.com
This mindfulness based stress reduction group will seek to increase your sense of control and overall well-being, increase your support and decrease feelings of isolation and develop skills to ease the difficulties associated with infertility/treatment cycles.
The cost is $40 per individual and $50 per couple.  The initial phone consult is free and I ask members to commit to 6 group sessions. RSVP is required.

Ventura County, Thousand Oaks, CA
General Infertility Support Group
Meets on Mondays from 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Led by Sara Rector, MFT and Vicky Skelton MFTI, 805.494.1414 or sararectormft@gmail.com  (RSVP required)
This group offers hope, understanding and support with  problem solving, treatment and family building options, when to transition to IUI, IVF, Donor, adoption  or surrogacy. Mind Body connection and use of positive intention to create most optimal treatment cycles is utilized. Led by Sara Rector, MFT and Vicky Skelton MFTI
Cost: for 6 sessions - $300 for individuals

Ventura, CA
General Infertility Support Group
Meets the first Wednesday of each month from 7:00PM - 8:00PM Led by Sara Rector, MFT RSVP is required.
Topics include: Coping with the Challenges of Infertility; The emotional Roller coaster of treatment; How to manage Stress from fertility issues with Mind Body Techniques; Learn effective coping skills/problem solving; Issues of Disclosure; and Dealing with friends and family. This free group is open to everyone, and hosted by Southern California Reproductive Center at 4080 Loma Vista Suite P, Ventura, CA 93003. To reserve space: Tina Reynoso 805 658-9112 email treynoso@scrcivf.com Group Questions:  Sara Rector MFT 805 494-1414 email sararectormft@gmail.com www.fertilitypsychotherapy.com

For general information about support groups, please contact Penny Joss Fletcher, MFT, the Support Group Coordinator, at 714.730.7996 or pennyjf@sbcglobal.net

Attention Media: If you would like to talk to RESOLVE support members or leaders, please contact Andy Schwarz, Media Relations, at 703.556.7172 or aschwarz@resolve.org.