415-455-4723

Al-Anon support groups are not exclusively for alcohol abuse. In addition, newcomers as well as Al-Anon members may be worried about their teen who has another type of addiction, mental illness, compulsive or problematic behavior.

Al-Anon's principles are applicable to many different situations and concerns.

Sally's notes: "I attended the Saturday morning, 10:00 a.m. Mill Valley Al-Anon meetings and found a highly supportive group that helped teach me important lessons on coping with the situation and "letting go".. The insight I gained helped put me in a better position to play a positive role to deal with my daughter's mental illness.

I was surprised at the number of parents attending who were there for emotional support dealing with teen and adult children with non-alcoholic issues, such as Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, other substance addiction disorders, even one with a gaming addiction disorder. Two words: JUST GO!"

Every 1st and 3rd Mondays, 6:00pm to 7:30pm

240 Tamal Vista Blvd., Suite 160
Corte Madera, CA 94925

Call Katy Tarella, LCSW 415-945-9870

Learn about mental illness and addiction and how to support your loved one.

Multi-Family Group is a group designed to educate and support family members of individuals who are diagnosed with mental health and substance use disorders. Group members will learn about mental illness and addiction, how to support a loved one who is struggling with mental illness and/or addiction, and most importantly, how to take care of oneself in the face of supporting a loved one who is struggling with these issues. Multi-Family Group will focus on teaching skills such as validation, setting limits, effective interpersonal communication skills, and the importance of self-care. This is an open group with ongoing enrollment, and there is no pre-requisite to join other than openness and willingness to learn and grow.

Multi-Family Group is held the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, from 6:00pm-7:30pm at Mind Therapy Clinic in Corte Madera. The cost is $160 per family, whether that is one individual or up to three family members. This group is co-led by Katy Tarella, LCSW and Amelia Howard-Smith, LMFT. Sliding scale also available when you mention Wellify Teen.

Community Action Marin, Mark Solomons
415-473-4182
msolomons@marincounty.org

Family Partner for Youth and Family Services
Michelle Kemp 415.368.5221

Family Partner for Youth and Family Services-Bi-lingual Spanish
Rosa Lopez 415.240.6920

Family Partner for Youth and Family Services
Leticia McCoy 415.473.3649

County of Marins' Family Partnership is a parent support program to assist families who have a child with severe mental illness. A Family Partner can meet with you where you are most comfortable - in your home, coffee shop, their office - and can help you navigate resources, provide emotional support, and help the family think through next steps.

A Family Partner Can Help Families:

Family Partners is comprised of parents and family members who have faced similar challenges in their own lives. They have learned where to find resources and locate services and are here to share this knowledge with other family members. They have also learned the importance of self-care and assist families in assessing their own self-care needs. As members of the Marin County Mental Health System of Care, they work in collaboration with Mental Health, Social Services, Juvenile Justice, Education and many other agencies within the Marin Community in serving families struggling with mental illness. Serving all of Marin County.

800-578-2592

info@matrixparents.org
referral@matrixparents.org
helpline@matrixparents.org

www.matrixparents.org

94 Galli Drive, Suite C
Novato, CA 94949

Matrix is a parent-operated nonprofit organization providing support services to families with special needs. Parent advisors are matched based on type of needs and issues, including mental health, risky behaviors, bullying, and transition to adulthood.

For severe mental health issues that impact a teen's ability to regularly attend school, Matrix can help you advocate to improve school life, for example modifying class work and determining if an IEP (Individualized Education Program) may be appropriate.

In addition to one-on-one support, Matrix often hosts events and workshops, as well as parent support groups.

5000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Woodacre
www.spiritrock.org

Drop-In Programs

Drop-in Programs are a great introduction to Spirit Rock teachings and a source of ongoing inspiration. All programs are suitable for new as well as experienced practitioners.

Monday Night Dharma Talk with Jack Kornfield & Friends
7:15 - 9:15pm with Jack Kornfield, Mark Coleman, Nikki Mirghafori, Matthew Brensilver, Will Kabat-Zinn and other guest teachers. Cost: $15-30 sliding scale.*

This program is also available as a live webcast, Spirit Rock Live: Monday Nights with Jack Kornfield & Friends.

Cost: $0 -108 sliding scale. Online ridesharing bulletin board for the Monday Night Class

Community Welcome, 6:15 - 7:00pm - Are you new to Spirit Rock, interested in learning more about mindfulness and meditation, or want to connect with other new practitioners but aren't sure where to start? Our weekly Community Welcome is a free program where you can give meditation a try, experiment with different postures and techniques, and learn a bit more about how Spirit Rock can support you. It's a wonderful opportunity to ask questions in a relaxed, informal setting with other folks who are new to the Spirit Rock community.

Wednesday Morning Meditation Group
10am - 12pm with Sylvia Boorstein or Donald Rothberg or other guest teachers

This sitting and practice-oriented discussion group is suitable for beginners, as well as engaged practitioners. Cost: $15-30 sliding scale.*

Thursday Women's Group
10am - 12pm with Grace Fisher or other guest teachers

This drop-in group offers women a place to come together in community to share our wisdom and strengthen our sense of belonging in the world. Each week there will be time for silent meditation, teachings and group discussion. Beginning and experienced meditators welcome. Cost: $15-30 sliding scale.

Dharma & Recovery
2nd Friday of each month, 7:15 - 9:15pm with Kevin Griffin or other teachers This group explores the intersection of recovery with Buddhist Teachings and practices. We welcome all people who identify with any of the full range of addictions, from substances, to behaviors, to habitual thought and emotional patterns. This is not a 12 Step group, but we look to ways that members of that community can support each other on the path of recovery. Each gathering begins with a period of guided meditation and new meditators are welcome. There is time for discussion about meditation practice and each month a recovery/dharma theme will be discussed. Cost: $15-30 sliding scale.*

*No one is turned away for lack of funds. If you are interested in volunteering to support a program, contact Volunteering@spiritrock.org.

Mental and Emotional Health Classes - Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente offers health education classes in San Rafael, including:

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (9 sessions)
Next session starts September 25, 2019, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
$125 members, $250 non-members
Call 415-444-2811

Managing Your Stress (6 sessions)
Next 4:00 - 6:00m pm sessions start July 10 and Oct. 2, 2019
Next 6:30 - 8:30 pm sessions start August 20
No charge for members, $100 non-members
Call 415-444-2173

Latino Parent Support - Promotores Program

A volunteer program through North Marin Community Services, this program model is a powerful way to bridge the English- and Spanish-speaking communities by:

For program information, please contact Brenda Campos-Anicetti 415-897-4147 ext. 131
bcampos@northmarincs.org

For emotional support referrals, please contact Sylvia Albuja 415-897-4147 ext. 119
salbuja@northmarinincs.org

More Latino Parent Support - Marin Health & Human Services

All classes are held at 3240 Kerner Blvd., San Rafaelv
For more info, call Doctora Marisol (Marisol Munoz-Kiehne, PhD)
415-473-6787

Free Parenting Classes (year round except in August)
Wednesdays 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Call 415-473-7594

Free Yoga Classes
Thursdays 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Free Zumba Classes
Thursdays 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Also Novato Zumba at North Marin Community Services (680 Wilson)
Tuesdays 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Free Group Therapy for Women
Wednesdays 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
On the second floor of the building

Free NAMI Latino Group Support
1st and 3rd Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Call 415-473-2261

Bipolar Depression Support Group

With Ona Weizmann, Ph.D.

Community Action Marin

Wednesdays from 6 - 8 PM

Enterprise Resource Center
3270 Kerner Blvd., Suite C
San Rafael, CA 94901

Call: 415-342-2097
FREE

Sally's note: This is primarily an adult group. Teens are welcome to check it out and see if it's a fit for them.

Raising Transgender Teens

The Spahr Center offers a parent support group for parents/caregivers raising transgender, gender expansive or gender questioning children. Does your teen:

Consistently want to dress in clothes of the opposite gender?
Insist that you call them by the opposite pronoun?
Tells you they are the opposite gender, both, or neither?

Come share your experiences in a place where you can speak openly and be heard. Find and give support to others. Express feelings and get information. Explore how to best support your teen.

Two groups in Marin:

Tuesday Group
2nd Tuesday every month
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Spahr Center
150 Nellen Ave.
Corte Madera, CA 94901

Wednesday Group
3rd Wednesday every month
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Mill Valley Recreation Center
180 Camino Alto
Mill Valley, CA 94941

For more info, call 415-457-2487
Or Janna Barkin 415-250-3194

Marin Autism Collaborative

Parent support group serving teens on the autism spectrum.
Monthly parent support group at Autistry Studio resumes September 1, 2019.
Call 415-472-2373

ADHD Parent Support Group - CHADD
For parents and guardians of all aged children who have challenges with attention. A relaxed, supportive and informative time for parents to share questions, concerns and resources to benefit parenting.
WHEN: Last Monday of the month
TIME: 12:30 - 2:30 pm
WHERE: Westminister Presbyterian Church Library, 240 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon
CALL: Volunteer Ellen Nicosia 415-927-2442

Organizations

Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships
MHYP works collaboratively to reshape community norms that drive youth substance use. They partner with young people, families, schools and other community organizations to promote a thriving environment.
415-533-8366

NAMI Marin
415-444-0480

Rx Safe Marin
Rx Safe Marin is a coalition of community members and experts collaborating to tackle the local prescription drug misuse and abuse epidemic.
415-473-6731