Counseling & Support Groups

Motherhood is not a fixed role and is constantly being redefined.

Not being able to decide is more complex than external circumstances or what appears on the surface. Women benefit when they explore their own vision of motherhood.   There are few opportunities for women to thoroughly explore motherhood without judgment.

What I know is that many women are in pain over not being able to decide. Women often blame themselves for not knowing. It’s not your fault that you don’t know. You are not alone as many women struggle with this issue. 

I do not have an agenda for you.  I am not invested in whether or not you become a mother/parent. I am invested in assisting you with your own process so that you can make a decision that feels true to you. I do not underestimate this very important decision.

Whether you work with me one on one or in a support group setting, the structure of the program is the same.  The differences between the programs are described below.

The “Motherhood - 
Is it for me?” Program ™ 

Gain clarity in 12 weeks.

Reach a deeper understanding of what the indecision is about so that you can move to the next step. The program is an excellent adjunct if you are already in therapy, as well as providing a wonderful opportunity of exploration if you’re not in therapy.

The program is also appropriate for you even if you have decided one way or the other about being a parent but still want to feel more solid about your decision. 

The program is a series of exercises done over 12-weeks.  We focus on one exercise each week followed by a written home exploration assignment. The sessions are focused and structured. You can expect a combination of experiential & writing exercises with reflective time to help facilitate your own process. The safe & structured environment that I provide offers an excellent opportunity for you to explore and understand the many feelings associated with making this decision.

The 12-weeks is the time it takes for a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the feelings associated with motherhood. It takes that amount of time to tease out the unconscious messages that run in your head that get in the way of your decision making process.

Call me and get the help you deserve.
510-595-4629   

How do I know if this program is for me?

If you’ve made a list of the pros and cons more than twice and still can’t decide, this program is for you!

If you spend anytime thinking about the following, this program is for you!

	“What would my life look like with a baby?”
	“What about my career which is my passion?”
	“My partner wants children and I don’t.”
	“Time is running out.”
	“Everybody says I’d be a good mother but does that mean I have to be one?”
	“I want to be a mom but it scares me so much.”
	“I don’t know if I can be a good enough mother.”
	“What if I regret my decision? How do I get over that?”

You may be single, partnered, married, of any age, culture or sexual orientation. You may be struggling with conceiving. You might be considering adoption, becoming a biological parent, part-time parent, co-parent or stepparent. You may have already decided YES or NO and still want to explore your ambivalence or mixed feelings.  This program can be done in person, over the phone or in a support group setting.

Phone sessions are available.

Only you can know what’s true for you.
I’ll help you get there.
Call me! 510-595-4629

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The ‘Motherhood - Is it for me?’™ Support Group. Gain clarity
in 12-weeks!

This group is offered 3 times a year in February, June & September in Oakland, CA, USA. Call for exact dates: 510-595-4629.

The support group is for women!
Sharing your process with other women can feel comforting. Women find relief in knowing there is a place where they won’t be judged for not knowing.  Women also find validation that they are not the only ones struggling.

This group is also appropriate for you even if you have decided one way or the other and want to feel more solid about your decision. The support group meets the needs of a diverse population. 

The group meets for 12-weeks for 1 ½ hours.  The size of the group is limited to 6 women.  I keep the groups small to allow plenty of processing time for each person.

E-mail me at AnnDavidman@MotherhoodIsItForMe.com or call me to see if this group is for you.
510-595-4629.      

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Individual Counseling -
Gain clarity in 12 structured meetings.

These meetings occur over a 12-week period.  Each week we do one exercise together followed by a written home exploration assignment.

The ‘Motherhood-Is it for Me?’ Program™ is described above.

When working one on one I do customize some of the home exploration assignments to address your personal needs. This does not occur in the support group setting.

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Couples Work

If you are part of a couple having differences in your desires about whether or not to become parents, it is useful for each of you to explore this issue individually. This allows for each person to have a confidential and uncensored experience.

I usually work with the one person in the couple who is the most ambivalent.  I might then work with the other partner if it’s needed.

I say to couples if after you each participate in the 12-week program with me and there is still conflict between the two of you, I can do couples counseling with you. However, I do not start there.