Mindful Mama Support Group in Fresno, CA
Find Peace During Pregnancy & Postpartum with Expert-Led Support
Pregnancy and postpartum can be overwhelming times filled with unexpected emotions, anxiety, and mood changes that leave you feeling isolated and uncertain.
At Olive Leaf Therapy, we understand that perinatal mental health challenges affect many women, yet finding specialized support in the Central Valley can feel impossible when you need it most.
Our Mindful Mama Support Group, facilitated by PSI-certified therapist Cheryl Hixson, provides a safe, understanding space where pregnant and postpartum women connect with others experiencing similar challenges. Unlike generic support groups, our program specifically addresses perinatal mood and anxiety disorders with evidence-based approaches tailored to the unique needs of motherhood.
Conveniently located in Fresno with multiple locations, our group offers Central Valley families accessible, specialized care that recognizes the specific stressors facing mothers in our community, from family pressures to the challenges of raising children in California's Central Valley.
✔ Laura Slagle, CEO and founder, brings extensive experience in attachment-based and trauma-informed therapy
✔ Established practice serving Fresno families since 2014 with specialized adoption and foster care expertise
✔ Multiple locations throughout Fresno and Clovis for convenient access to specialized care
✔ Collaborative approach with local adoption agencies and foster care organizations
Established practice serving Fresno families since 2014 with specialized adoption and foster care expertise
Our Services
Facilitated by Cheryl Hixson, our Clinical Manager who holds PSI (Postpartum Support International) certification, this group provides expert-led support that goes beyond general counseling.
Our group sessions combine evidence-based therapeutic techniques with peer support, creating a unique healing environment where women can share experiences, learn coping strategies, and develop meaningful connections. Each session incorporates mindfulness practices, psychoeducation about perinatal mental health, and practical tools for managing the emotional challenges of pregnancy and early motherhood.
The group follows a structured yet flexible format that allows for both guided discussion and individual sharing. Participants learn about the normalcy of perinatal mental health struggles, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and build a support network that extends beyond group sessions. We address common concerns like baby blues, postpartum anxiety, birth trauma, breastfeeding challenges, and the identity shifts that come with motherhood.
Our trauma-informed, attachment-based approach ensures that each woman feels heard, validated, and supported in her unique journey. The group provides a confidential, non-judgmental space where mothers can process their experiences while learning from others who understand the complexities of perinatal mental health in a supportive, therapeutic environment designed to promote healing and connection.
The Mindful Mama Support Group is a specialized therapeutic group designed specifically for pregnant women and new mothers experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum depression, anxiety, and adjustment challenges.
Find Peace During Pregnancy & Postpartum
How You Benefit
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Our Mindful Mama Support Group is facilitated by Cheryl Hixson, Clinical Manager and PSI-certified therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health. This certification from Postpartum Support International ensures you receive evidence-based care specifically designed for pregnancy and postpartum challenges, not generic group therapy approaches.
In the Central Valley, finding therapists with specialized perinatal training can be challenging. Cheryl's PSI certification means she understands the unique biological, psychological, and social factors affecting maternal mental health. She's trained in recognizing postpartum depression, anxiety disorders, and other perinatal mood disorders that require specialized intervention.
This expertise translates to group sessions that address the real concerns facing Fresno-area mothers: managing family expectations, dealing with limited local resources, and navigating healthcare systems while experiencing perinatal mental health challenges. You'll receive professional guidance that's both clinically sound and practically relevant to life in our community.
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Our group provides a confidential, judgment-free environment where pregnant and postpartum women can share honestly about their experiences without fear of criticism or misunderstanding. Many Central Valley mothers struggle with cultural or family pressures that make it difficult to discuss mental health challenges openly.
In our Fresno locations, you'll find a welcoming space designed specifically for maternal mental health support. The group setting allows you to connect with other local mothers who understand the unique challenges of raising families in the Central Valley, from extended family dynamics to economic pressures specific to our region.
The therapeutic group environment fosters genuine connections that often extend beyond sessions, creating a lasting support network. Participants regularly report feeling less isolated and more understood after joining our group, as they discover they're not alone in their struggles and can learn from others' experiences and coping strategies.
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Unlike general therapy groups, our Mindful Mama Support Group specifically addresses the complex mental health challenges unique to pregnancy and postpartum periods. We focus on conditions like postpartum depression, perinatal anxiety, postpartum OCD, and adjustment disorders that specifically affect maternal mental health.
Our group curriculum addresses the real challenges facing Central Valley mothers: hormone fluctuations, sleep deprivation, breastfeeding difficulties, relationship changes, and the transition to motherhood. We provide practical tools for managing anxiety, depression symptoms, and overwhelming thoughts while caring for your baby and family.
The group format allows for peer learning alongside professional guidance, creating a comprehensive support system. You'll learn evidence-based techniques for managing symptoms while hearing how other local mothers have successfully navigated similar challenges, providing both professional expertise and practical, community-specific insights.
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With multiple locations throughout Fresno and Clovis, accessing our Mindful Mama Support Group doesn't add stress to your already overwhelming schedule. Our offices on 1st Street, 11th Street, and Shaw Avenue provide convenient options whether you're coming from downtown Fresno, north Fresno, or the Clovis area.
We understand that transportation and logistics can be major barriers for pregnant and postpartum women seeking mental health support. Our strategically located offices ensure you can find a convenient option that works with your schedule, childcare arrangements, and family responsibilities without extensive travel through Central Valley traffic.
Each location provides comfortable, private group therapy spaces designed specifically for maternal mental health support. Ample parking and accessible facilities mean you can focus on your healing and connection with the group rather than worrying about practical barriers to attendance.
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Our group accommodates the varied needs of pregnant and postpartum women, understanding that no two maternal mental health journeys are identical. Whether you're dealing with pregnancy anxiety, postpartum depression, or adjustment challenges, our group provides relevant support tailored to your specific stage and needs.
The group format allows for flexibility in participation levels, understanding that some days may be more challenging than others. We accommodate the realities of maternal life, including unpredictable schedules, childcare challenges, and varying energy levels that come with pregnancy and new motherhood.
Our trauma-informed approach ensures that your individual experiences and triggers are respected within the group setting. Whether you're dealing with birth trauma, breastfeeding challenges, or family dynamics, the group provides supportive space for processing these experiences alongside other Central Valley mothers who understand the local context and cultural factors.
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As part of Olive Leaf Therapy's comprehensive mental health services, our Mindful Mama Support Group connects you to additional resources and support as needed. Our family-centered, attachment-based approach means we understand how maternal mental health impacts entire family systems and relationships.
When appropriate, we can coordinate care with our individual therapists, couples counselors, and family therapy specialists to provide comprehensive support that addresses all aspects of your mental health and family relationships. This integrated approach ensures you receive consistent, coordinated care throughout your healing journey.
Our Central Valley practice has established relationships with local healthcare providers, pediatricians, and community resources, enabling us to provide referrals and connections that support your overall health and family well-being beyond group therapy sessions.
Our Service Categories
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Specialized one-on-one support for pregnant and postpartum women experiencing mood and anxiety disorders. Our therapists provide personalized treatment plans addressing your specific challenges, whether pregnancy-related anxiety, postpartum depression, or birth trauma. Individual therapy complements group support by offering deeper exploration of personal triggers and coping strategies tailored to your unique circumstances and Central Valley lifestyle.
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Support that recognizes how perinatal mental health affects entire family systems, including partners, children, and extended family relationships. We help families understand perinatal mood disorders, improve communication, and develop supportive dynamics that promote maternal mental health and family connection throughout pregnancy and postpartum transitions.
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Specialized approach addressing birth trauma, pregnancy loss, fertility struggles, and other traumatic experiences related to reproductive and maternal health. Our trauma-informed methods ensure safe processing of difficult experiences while building resilience and healthy coping mechanisms for both current and future pregnancy and parenting experiences.
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Relationship-focused therapy helps couples navigate the challenges and changes that accompany pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. We address communication breakdowns, intimacy changes, parenting disagreements, and role transitions that commonly impact relationships during perinatal periods, strengthening partnerships during vulnerable times.
Our Process
Step 1: Initial Contact and Assessment
Contact our office to discuss your needs and determine if our Mindful Mama Support Group is the right fit for your situation. We'll conduct a brief assessment to understand your current challenges, support needs, and any safety concerns. This typically takes 15-20 minutes and helps us ensure the group setting will be beneficial and appropriate for your mental health needs.
Step 2: Group Orientation and Introduction
Attend an orientation session where you'll meet Cheryl, learn about group guidelines and expectations, and connect with other group members in a structured, supportive introduction. This session helps you feel comfortable and prepared for ongoing group participation while establishing the safe, confidential environment essential for therapeutic group work.
Step 3: Regular Group Participation
Engage in weekly group sessions that combine psychoeducation, mindfulness practices, peer support, and therapeutic processing. Each session follows a structured format while allowing flexibility for addressing current concerns and challenges. You'll develop coping strategies, build connections, and work through perinatal mental health challenges with professional guidance and peer support.
Step 4: Progress Monitoring and Continued Support
Work with Cheryl to monitor your progress, adjust participation as needed, and plan for continued support as your needs evolve. We provide resources for maintaining mental health gains and connections to additional services when beneficial for your ongoing wellness and family stability.
Our Approach
Our approach to maternal mental health support centers on creating authentic connections within a professionally guided, therapeutic environment.
We believe that healing happens through both expert clinical intervention and meaningful peer relationships with other women experiencing similar challenges. The Mindful Mama Support Group combines evidence-based therapeutic techniques with the powerful healing that comes from shared understanding and community support.
We utilize trauma-informed care principles that recognize how pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood can trigger or compound existing mental health challenges. Our PSI-certified facilitation ensures that group sessions address the specific biological, psychological, and social factors affecting perinatal mental health, moving beyond generic mental health approaches to focus on the unique needs of pregnant and postpartum women.
The group format allows for both structured learning and organic peer support, creating space for psychoeducation about perinatal mood disorders alongside personal sharing and mutual support. We incorporate mindfulness practices, attachment-based concepts, and family-centered perspectives that recognize how maternal mental health impacts entire family systems and relationships.
Our Central Valley focus means understanding the cultural, economic, and social factors specific to our community that impact maternal mental health. We address the real challenges facing local mothers while building on the strengths and support systems available within our Fresno-Clovis community, creating sustainable healing and connection that extends beyond group sessions.
FAQs
Olive Leaf Therapy has served Central Valley families since 2014, providing specialized trauma-informed, attachment-based mental health services throughout Fresno and Clovis. Our experienced team combines evidence-based therapeutic approaches with deep understanding of local community needs and family dynamics.
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The group is designed for pregnant women and new mothers experiencing mood and anxiety challenges related to pregnancy, birth, or early parenthood. If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, or isolated during pregnancy or postpartum, our group can provide valuable support. Contact us for a brief consultation to discuss your specific needs and determine if group support aligns with your current mental health goals.
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Our group is facilitated by a PSI-certified therapist specializing in perinatal mental health, ensuring evidence-based approaches specifically designed for maternal mental health challenges. Unlike general support groups, we focus exclusively on pregnancy and postpartum mental health with professional therapeutic guidance, structured sessions, and specialized knowledge of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
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Our group welcomes both pregnant women and postpartum mothers, recognizing that perinatal mental health challenges can begin during pregnancy and continue postpartum. The mixed group format allows for shared learning and support across different stages of the maternal journey, with content relevant to both pregnancy and postpartum experiences.
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We can coordinate group participation with individual therapy when beneficial for your mental health goals. Our practice offers individual perinatal mental health therapy, and we can help you determine the best combination of services to support your healing and wellness throughout your maternal mental health journey.
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All group members agree to strict confidentiality guidelines, and our PSI-certified facilitator maintains professional therapeutic boundaries and safety protocols. We establish clear group guidelines during orientation and continuously monitor group dynamics to ensure a safe, supportive environment where all participants feel comfortable sharing and receiving support.