Join a support circle

It is vital to have a safe place to make sense of your initiation or re-entry into parenthood.

After becoming a parent, one typically hits the ground running and does not often take the time to acknowledge their metamorphosis. Our groups are like a counterpart to mommy & me classes, which are typically more didactic in nature and focus on the child—their development, sleeping and schedules, etc. These practical matters do come up in our discussions, yet these circles take deep dives into subjects surrounding the drastic transformation from maiden to mother. 

These circles are for any person who is in the throes of Matrescence (the psychological birth of a mother, similar to adolescence, involving hormonal and identity shifting). A person could also benefit from this offering if they are experiencing a Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder (PMAD), however, it is not a psychotherapy group designed to specifically treat a mental health issue such as Postpartum Depression.

Topics in our circles may include, but aren’t limited to:

  • Before Birth

    Body Image Issues
    Fears and Anxieties
    Birth Prep
    Postpartum Planning
    Risk Factors for PMADs
    Breastfeeding Education
    Baby Care 101

  • After Birth

    Birthing Experience
    Sex After Birth
    Body Image Issues
    Identity After Birth
    Breastfeeding Challenges
    Discord with Partner
    Returning to Work

  • Beyond Birth

    Conscious Parenting
    Potty Trining
    Transitioning from Crib to Bed
    Picky Eating
    Preschool Journey
    Family Planning
    Balancing work/marriage/family/social

  • Secondary Infertility

    Pregnancy loss
    Grief over vision of family being incomplete
    Guilt for not being content with current family
    Marital tension
    Risk Factors for PMADs
    Options for fertility support

  • Testimonials

    "This group has been a steady port in the stormy seas of postpartum motherhood. I’m generally the one facilitating and holding space through circles and rituals. Healers need healers, though. This last year has certainly been challenging, and these weekly meetings were invaluable for my growth as a new mother of two. Because my mental, emotional and energetic health holds the whole family together. If you’ve recently had a baby and need support, please consider Life After Birth®. I wish I had with my first and am so grateful I did with my second.

    — Jill Wintersteen
    Founder of Spirit Daughter

  • Testimonials

    "From the bottom of my heart thank you for holding space for us mamas. Knowing I can show up every week and share my anxieties, fears, and mom-wins without being judged has helped me more than you will ever know.

    — Julie, SAHM

  • Testimonials

    "There are people who touch our lives at certain points on our life’s journey and we are forever grateful for having met them. Molly is one of these people. A few months after giving birth I was feeling alone on the path of motherhood. Her group gave me a sense of hope, peace and community and her transparency, humor, genuineness, and empathy gave me strength and courage in my new role as a mother. Thank you so much Molly for being such an important part of my birth into motherhood.”

    — Starlite Randall, LCSW

  • Testimonials

    "Truly a lifeline, I make this a priority for my self care. Molly is wonderful! She has created a safe, nurturing, supportive space for new mothers going through the joys and challenges of the transition to motherhood. It has allowed me to connect with other moms on this journey and to know I am not alone.”

    Ginny

Life After Birth® Founder, Molly Nourmand, LMFT birthed her first After Birth support circle at WMN Space in Culver City in 2017. Then this signature offering was translated into a virtual platform in March 2020. During the pandemic, she added a Beyond Birth group, and we are working on creating a Before Birth, as well as Secondary Infertility Support Circle. It is clear that each phase the reproductive journey is fraught with exquisite ordeals and joys, so our groups reflect those differences.

Support circles

Life After Birth® is included in Little Honey Money’s 2023 round-up of “The New Wave of Virtual Mom Groups You Should Know About.”

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Each support circle has a maximum of 8 members plus a leader who is a Masters-level, Life After Birth® trained Perinatal Psychotherapist.

  • Currently we offer our groups virtually; however, if you have a group of people who want to meet in-person, then can it be arranged—just contact us.

  • They are ongoing for however long you need the support—from pregnancy through parenthood. We request that you make a three-month commitment in order to preserve the intimacy of the group, so that it has more of a more closed feel to it. In-person groups are paid for three-months upfront. Whereas our online groups are a month-to-month financial commitment.

  • Parents re-entering these phases are welcome (e.g. second- or third-time moms).

  • These circles are for any person who is in the throes of Matrescence (the psychological birth of a mother, similar to adolescence, involving hormonal and identity shifting). A person could also benefit from this offering if they are experiencing a Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder (PMAD), however, it is not a psychotherapy group designed to specifically treat a mental health issue such as Postpartum Depression.

  • Once you have made a purchase, you have 24-hours to receive a reimbursement. After that, you can receive a credit with us. If you have a monthly membership, then your card will automatically be charged every month unless you cancel your membership; however, we ask that you give us at least two weeks notice before you cancel so that we have time to fill the spot.

Have another question, need clarification or just want to connect with a human?

You can book a free 20 min. complimentary consultation with one of our therapists.