Returning to work after having a baby is rarely just a logistical transition. It often brings grief, guilt, anxiety, identity shifts, and pressure to “prove” yourself—at work and at home.

RETURN is a non-therapy support group for moms navigating the emotional and mental load of going back to work after baby. Whether you’re returning full-time, part-time, hybrid, or still figuring out what’s next, this group offers a grounded space to process the transition and build more sustainable ways of coping.

Who This Group Is For

RETURN is a good fit for moms who:

Are preparing to return to work or have recently returned

Feel torn between work and motherhood

Struggle with guilt, anxiety, or imposter syndrome

Feel pressure to “do it all” without burning out

Want support from other working moms in a similar season

What to Expect

This is a non-therapy support group that blends:

Honest, facilitated discussion

Normalization of mixed emotions and ambivalence

Practical tools for boundaries, mental load, and burnout prevention

Topics include:

Mixed feelings about returning to work (and letting that be okay)

Identity shifts and confidence after maternity leave

Guilt, comparison, and the myth of balance

Childcare transitions and separation anxiety

Boundaries at work and at home

The mental load of working motherhood

Burnout, exhaustion, and sustainability

Group Details

Format: 8 week support group

Length: 60 minutes per session (with a group chat for between-meetings support and connection)

Group Size: Limited to support connection and meaningful conversation

Location: Virtual

When: Mondays at 4pm PST, beginning early February 2026

Cost: $325 for the full 8-week series

Facilitator: Dr. Caroline Dickens

This group is not therapy, but it is emotionally meaningful and supportive. Participants may find it to be a helpful bridge into individual therapy or other Palmetto offerings.

Questions? Email Caroline here.