Some decisions don’t have a simple right or wrong answer.
For many women, deciding whether to become a parent can bring uncertainty, grief, hope, excitement, fear, and pressure - all at once. Yet it’s a conversation that often happens quietly, leaving many people feeling isolated in their indecision.
Our new therapy group, The Parenthood Question, is designed for women who genuinely feel undecided about whether to have children.
Using evidence-based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), this 6-week virtual group offers a thoughtful, supportive space to explore one of life’s biggest decisions.
Does this sound familiar?
You keep going back and forth about whether you want children.
Some days, you can picture a life with a child. Other days, you feel relieved imagining a life without one.
You worry that no matter what you choose, you might regret it.
You feel pressure from family, your partner, social media, or the sense that time is running out.
You wonder whether your hesitation means you do not want children, or whether you are simply afraid of such a permanent decision.
You find yourself comparing your life to friends who seem completely certain.
You feel guilty for not having a clear answer by now.
You are trying to separate what you want from what you have been taught you are supposed to want.
You keep searching for certainty, but every answer seems to bring up another question.
You wish you had a space to talk openly without being judged, rushed, or pushed toward a particular choice.
If you’re nodding along, you’re exactly who this group is for.
Why does this decision feel so overwhelming?
Because you’re trying to answer one of life’s biggest questions, often while navigating uncertainty, pressure, and conflicting emotions.
Wondering what kind of future will feel most meaningful to you
Balancing your own desires with expectations from family, friends, culture, or society
Feeling the pressure of a biological timeline or relationship decisions
Grieving the life you might not choose, regardless of your decision
Searching for certainty when certainty simply doesn’t exist
Comparing yourself to people who seem completely sure of what they want
Questioning whether your fears are telling you something important—or simply making the decision harder
Of course this feels overwhelming. It is overwhelming.
This isn’t a decision that can be solved by making another pros-and-cons list or waiting until you feel 100% certain.
What often helps is having a space to slow down, explore your values, make room for uncertainty, and discover what matters most to you—without judgment or pressure to choose one path over another.
What to expect
This is not a group that encourages one path over another. Instead, we will help you:
- Clarify what truly matters to you
- Separate your own values from family, cultural, or societal expectations
- Build skills to navigate uncertainty with greater confidence and self-compassion
- Connect with other women asking the same deeply personal questions
- Practice between sessions through brief reflective writing exercises that deepen your self-understanding.
- Each 90-minute session will include:
- 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
- Clarifying your personal values
- Understanding the difference between fear and desire
- Navigating uncertainty without needing immediate certainty
- Untangling family, cultural, societal, and relationship expectations
- Exploring grief for the life paths not chosen
- Identifying barriers that keep you feeling "stuck"
- Making decisions that align with who you are—not who you think you should be
- Cultivating self-compassion throughout the decision-making process
Because each group is unique, discussions may naturally evolve based on the needs and experiences of members.
What makes this different?
This isn’t a group where you’ll be told what the “right” decision is. It isn’t about convincing you to have children, or convincing you not to.
Instead, you’ll get:
- A nonjudgmental space where every path is respected
- Evidence-based tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Guidance in separating your own values from outside expectations
- Skills for tolerating uncertainty instead of waiting for perfect certainty
- Honest conversations with women navigating the same questions
- A structured, decision-focused process that supports clarity, not pressure
- A compassionate environment where you can explore your thoughts without having to defend or justify them
Our goal isn’t to give you the answer. Our goal is to help you discover your answer.
FAQs
Who is this group for?
This group is for women who are genuinely undecided about whether to have children.
You may be questioning whether parenthood aligns with your values, feeling torn between different possibilities, or finding it difficult to separate your own desires from outside expectations. Whether you’ve been thinking about this decision for months or years, you’ll find a supportive space to explore it with others who understand.
To participate, you should:
- Be a woman, age 21 or older
- Reside in California
- Feel genuinely undecided about whether to have children
- Be connected to—or willing to engage with—an individual therapist outside of group
This group is not a good fit for women who have already made a firm decision about parenthood or who are currently pregnant.
What if I’m leaning one way but I’m still unsure?
That’s okay. This group is designed for women who genuinely feel they are still exploring the decision. You don’t have to be exactly “50/50”—just open to better understanding yourself.
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.
Will the group try to convince me to have children or remain child-free?
No. The purpose of this group is not to steer you toward a particular decision. Instead, we’ll help you clarify your own values, navigate uncertainty, and make a decision that feels authentic to you.
Do I need to share my personal story?
Only what feels comfortable. While many members find it meaningful to share their experiences, there is never pressure to disclose more than you’re ready for.
What if I miss a session?
We know life with a baby is unpredictable. While we encourage attending all six sessions to get the most from the group, we understand that illnesses, family 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.
Get on the waitlist
If you’re interested in joining The Parenthood Question, please add your information below and Meghan will be in touch!
Questions? Email Meghan here!