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Return

8-week support group for moms going back to work

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Format

8-week support group

Length

60 minutes per session

When

Fridays at 10am PST

Cost

$425 for the full 8-week series

Location

Virtual

Led by

Dr. Caroline Dickens

Get compassionate, practical support for the back-to-work transition

Going back to work wasn’t supposed to feel this hard.

You prepared the perfect coverage plan for maternity leave. You meticulously researched childcare options. You bought the right pump and have been working on your freezer stash. You mapped out your commute so you could be home for the bedtime routine.

But no one prepared you for the emotional toll of leaving your baby, carrying the mental load of two full-time jobs, or wondering whether you’ll ever feel like yourself again.

RETURN is an 8-week psychologist-led support group for mothers navigating the transition back to work.

You’ll get practical tools, honest conversations, and a powerful community of other women who truly get it.

Does this sound familiar?

You're dreading your first day back more than you expected.
You cry every Sunday night before the work week starts.
You feel guilty at work...and guilty at home.
You wonder if you're still good at your job.
You miss your baby all day — and then feel touched out when you get home.
You feel like you're failing in every role.
You're carrying the invisible mental load of work, childcare, meals, appointments, and remembering everything.
Everyone keeps asking how the baby is, but nobody asks how you're doing.

If you’re nodding along, you’re exactly who this group is for.

Why does returning to work feel so overwhelming?

Because you’re navigating multiple major life transitions simultaneously. You’re:

grieving the end of maternity leave
adjusting to new childcare plans
(still!) healing physically and emotionally
functioning on less sleep than ever before
rebuilding confidence at work after some time away
learning who you are as both a professional and a mother

Of course it feels hard. It is hard!

You don’t need to “be stronger” or “more disciplined.” You need compassionate, practical support that actually understands this stage of life.

What to expect

This is a non-therapy support group series that blends honest discussion, community support, and practical tools to help you tackle the most common challenges associated with this transition, from mom guilt to mental load to burnout prevention.

Each 60-minute session will include:

a guided check-in
an opportunity to ask specific questions or seek support from the group
introduction of a new topic, concept, or skill
facilitated discussion about the week’s topic
tangible reflection questions or exercises to bring with you between each meeting

Topics may include:

Managing the guilt that shows up whether you're at work or at home
Setting realistic expectations instead of chasing impossible standards
Rebuilding confidence after time away
Navigating pumping, childcare stress, and the constant logistical juggle
Setting boundaries at work
Letting go of perfectionism & redefining success after becoming a mom

What makes this different?

This isn’t about enhancing performance and productivity. You won’t leave with another color-coded planner, morning routine, or life hacks.

Instead you’ll get:

evidence-based strategies to manage the emotional impacts of this transition (from a licensed psychologist and working mom of 2)
honest, empowering conversations about the real and under-discussed challenges that come with this phase
100% judgment-free support from women in the exact same season of life
practical tools you can use immediately to help you cope with the highs and lows
a space that's about you, not just your baby

What people who have done it say

The return to work group hosted by Caroline single handedly got me through my return to work as a first time mom.
What a gift! Thank you, Caroline, for cultivating this space. I highly recommend this group for working moms, especially if you identify as a perfectionist/high achiever.
Return was the best thing I could've done for myself and the most priceless investment postpartum. It made a challenging transition so much less lonely. I will always cherish having had this precious resource for this time in my life!
It truly helped me mentally prepare for the transition.
The combination of support from other women, frameworks provided by Caroline, and special topics covered by guests made for such a comforting addition to my week and made a hard adjustment so much more manageable.
I felt more equipped to manage this monumental life shift thanks to this group, and continue to find joy and comfort in it even after returning to work.
It's such a comfort being able to speak openly to a group of women who just get it. I'm especially grateful for the connection we've developed offline via the WhatsApp group. Whenever I have a question, or need to vent, or am looking for encouragement, the women of this group show up.
Caroline expertly guides our conversation to connect the dots between what we're experiencing during each session, and her feedback/tips are always helpful. She can efficiently summarize an emotional word salad and provide a roadmap for how to work through whatever feeling or challenge we share…you leave each session feeling better than when you came.
Not only does Caroline provide a framework for managing the multitude of emotions that come with going back to work, but she also fosters a community of openness and sharing with other moms in similar positions. The other moms have become a sounding board for all things breastfeeding, pumping, starting solids, sleep, etc.

From participants in previous rounds, shared with their permission.

Questions about Return

Who is this group for?

This group is for mothers who are preparing to return to work after maternity leave or who have recently returned and are finding the transition more challenging than expected.

Whether you're returning full-time, part-time, remotely, or in a hybrid role, you'll find support from other moms navigating a similar season.

When is the best time to join?

Ideally, you'll join a few weeks before returning to work so you can build coping strategies and a support system before the transition begins.

That said, many moms join after they've already returned and realize they're struggling. We've even had toddler moms who have been back for a year or more join us and benefit from the group!

You're welcome either way.

Is this a therapy group?

No. RETURN is a psychologist-led support group that combines education, practical tools, reflection, and community.

It isn't a substitute for individual therapy if you're experiencing significant depression, anxiety, OCD, or another mental health condition.

What if I'm worried about sharing in a group?

That's completely normal. There's never pressure to share more than you're comfortable with. Many participants begin by listening, and as trust builds, they naturally become more comfortable opening up.

This is a warm, supportive space where you don't have to pretend you're doing it all perfectly.

Why does everyone but me have work-life balance figured out?

They don't. We tend to compare what we feel internally to what we see externally, and it's a false comparison.

One of the most powerful parts of this group is realizing how many other mothers are quietly carrying the exact same worries (and supporting each other along the way).

Will this help if I've already gone back to work?

Yes. Whether you're preparing to return or you've already been back for several weeks or months, the emotional and practical challenges of balancing work and motherhood often continue well beyond your first day back.

What if I miss a session?

We know life with a baby is unpredictable. While we encourage attending all eight sessions to get the most from the group, we understand that illnesses, childcare issues, and work demands happen. If you need to miss a session, we'll make sure you receive any handouts or resources that were shared.

Is the group confidential?

Yes. Creating a safe and supportive space is a top priority. While we can't guarantee what participants do outside the group, everyone is expected to respect one another's privacy and keep personal stories shared in the group confidential.

Will this help if I'm questioning whether I want to keep working?

Absolutely. Whether you're excited to return, considering a career change, wondering if you should stay home, or simply trying to figure out what comes next, this group is a place to explore those questions without judgment.

The goal isn't to tell you what you should do. It's to help you make choices that align with your values, your family, and the life you want to build (and it will give you frameworks to explore those questions).

Other groups, and one-to-one therapy

Groups aren't right for everyone, and we'll say so if individual therapy is the better start.

See all groups →

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