My husband and I took Lisa's class this fall. It was great to have a community of parents to talk…read moreout parenting strategies and issues. Much more useful that just reading a book. She is a great resource and we continue to follow up with her. I feel confident now that I have more tools to address parenting struggles.

My husband and I took Lisa's Positive Discipline course together and we both found it to be…read moreinvaluable. I have a four year old son and I had read "Positive Discipline for Preschoolers." The theories resonated with me, but I was having a hard time putting the theory into practice. When I heard about Lisa's class, I was apprehensive about the time commitment (seven 2-hour sessions), but I decided to give it a try. I think that was one of the best decisions I've made as a parent yet. The 7 weeks flew by and by the end, I found myself craving even more. Through role playing and a series of really powerful demonstrations, Lisa taught us about parenting with kindness and firmness (as opposed to being authoritarian or permissive). We covered a wide range of options for non-punitive solutions to common parenting/behavior challenges. We also learned about teaching our kids self discipline, problem solving skills, responsibility, self-reliance and cooperation, among other things. Some of the concepts that most resonated with me: "Asking vs. Telling" ("Where do your shoes belong?" instead of "Put away your shoes."); "Connect before Correct"; and especially the idea that children do better when they feel better. I hate role playing, but it was unbelievably powerful to role play being my child and also to practice different parenting techniques. The classes have transformed the way that my husband and I interact with our son. We all enjoy each other so much more now and there's a lot less conflict. This doesn't mean that we're letting him get away with more. We're just involving him more in problem solving and making him feel like he's a contributing part of the family. Things certainly aren't perfect and we certainly still experience non-compliance and temper tantrums, but we feel more much prepared to deal with these challenges now and we're less likely to get angry. I'm really appreciating the progress we've made and I'm enjoying the journey of parenting much more now.

Marcilie is an exceptional parenting coach. Reading books is useful, but Marcilie helps me see…read morethrough the internal emotional stuff that muddies my vision when it comes to conflict with my kids. She has successfully guided me through a number of really difficult situations and instilled in me a greater confidence in approaching those same types of situations on my own. I highly recommend her.

This class is a must for all educators, parents, counselors, and anyone who is working with…read morechildren. Marcilie class format was engaging and she made two very significant points that as a parent I consistently use. The first point is both people have to be on level headed to engage in a decent conversation where there will be any resolution. Timing is everything! My six year old daughter now tells me "Let's calm down and then talk." Our relationship feels more loving and less tense. Using solution focused problem solving with empathy allows children the capacity to solve their own problems. Don't we all want to have children who grow up and our great problem solvers? Most of all Marcilie's class has been invaluable to my professional career as a marriage and family therapist where I work with many hostile families. Perhaps, the most memorable take away from Marcilie's class is "Kids do better when they feel better." As a therapist, I try and remind frazzled parents to look for other reasons for their kids unwanted behavior. I would highly recommend this class!

The Family Room offers such a welcoming and knowledgeable gathering space for families to create…read morecommunity while navigating the perinatal time and beyond. I'm a Fertility Awareness Educator in the community and have hosted talks and workshops in their group space, and it's been perfect for my needs. The space is comfortable, thoughtfully decorated, and offers all the necessities for my presentations including a projector and large viewing screen as well as ample seating space. The practitioners behind The Family Room are incredibly generous with their time, offering support in marketing efforts and engaging with fellow practitioners using the space. I would highly recommend considering The Family Room for your next workshop, support group, or other meeting space needs.

From the owner: The Family Room on Solano is a new gathering space and a classroom passionately dedicated to…read morenurturing families from preconception to birth and beyond. We offer groups and classes like prenatal yoga, new parents groups, a fertility support group, childbirth education, music for kids and much more!

Christina's class has been THE most supportive thing I've done for myself and baby boy. We joined…read moreher playgroup class when he was only 4 months old (over a year ago) and he's thrived so much because of it. Our weekly play group-classes have provided invaluable social skills, bodily coordination development/learning, and parent education; my now one and a half yr. old is thriving, confident, secure & super coordinated! Christina holds a 1.5 hour class, almost all free play, with simple age appropriate objects/toys in a light-filled play space (at Then Comes Baby in Oakland). The RIE principles that she teaches has supported my son's natural development; like letting him roll, crawl, walk, etc, at his own natural pace as opposed to propping him up or helping him in ways that might by-pass his own learning & discovering. It's been such good practice to learn to let them figure things out on their own and resist the temptation to "help" or interrupt their natural curiosity and frustration as they learn new skills and limits. Of course we also get plenty of practice of setting boundaries for and with our children as well. This group has really helped my partner & I have a healthy and balanced parenting style and reduced our stress as new parents. The community of babies and parents has also been super sweet; you don't have to do this alone! Christina is experienced, knowledgable, and very encouraging. I highly recommend working with her!

From the owner: Respectful Caregiving: Balanced Families, Secure Babies…read more Respectful Caregiving is dedicated to supporting families with babies and toddlers throughout the Bay Area. My work is inspired by Magda Gerber's Educaring® Approach (RIE®). This Approach encourages trust in the infant for knowing how and when to develop. We caregivers do not consider it our responsibility to "teach" children how to move, play, or learn. Instead, it is our responsibility to provide a safe environment conducive to self-initiated play and discovery. The Approach places emphasis on the quality of the nurturing relationship between caregiver and child, and has many specific suggestions for how to make that relationship as respectful and cooperative as possible. Parents using the Educaring® Approach report significant a decrease in the perceived burden of parenthood, and a corresponding increases in their confidence and enjoyment as parents. Children raised with this Approach are emotionally aware, confident, graceful, creative, independent, and secure in their sense of selves. I offer RIE® certified classes such as Before Baby™ and Nurturing Nanny. I also offer sleep consulting, parent coaching, nursery design/babyproofing, workshops, and individualized nanny training.

Note: This review is about the Anger Management course. I…read morehave nothing but great things to say about this place! It is a very welcoming and friendly place. If you are like me, Introverted and afraid to share your personal details to complete strangers, don't be. Both the Tuesday Evening 6:30- 7 :30 p.m. Proctor Sabrina and the Wednesday Afternoon 4 p.m- 5 p.m Proctor Roxanne were very attentive, non judge mental and supportive. (Note: Roxannes classes were last on Hold due to Covid.) Your class or group members are also very supportive and friendly. We are all trying to accomplish similar goals. Due to Covid, since April, classes are currently held through zoom. The instruction is just as great as in the in-person meetings. The classes are structured. You will be using a workbook, however there is a lot of group interaction. Your name will be called in every class and you will be expected to give input about a specific topic discussed. What is so great about this class is that what you learn goes beyond just anger related knowledge. You learn a lot of life skills that apply to any age. No matter what your background is you will learn a lot of helpful strategies on how to deal with stress , frustration, anger and how to react positively to challenges that come our way. I must give a shout out to Ellen, who deals with the administrative side of things. She is super warm and friendly. She is also very responsive if you have any questions or needs related to the course you are taking. She's very organized and on top of things. I know the opposite is a complaint of many businesses or programs. You won't find disorganization here. Lastly, if you are hesitant for any reasons to attend, don't be. There are people joining for all sorts of reasons. Some come for court mandate and some just want to improve themselves. It is a very welcoming environment. It was a very positive experience. I believe most people who take this course will be very glad they did.

My experience with this organization has been extremely disappointing and, in my opinion, reflects…read morea system that prioritizes billing over meaningful support for families. I was ordered by the court to participate in co-parenting counseling through COPE, which effectively left me with no practical alternative provider. Prior to beginning services, I was informed by Megan that the cost would be approximately $45 per session. I was later surprised to discover that I was being charged approximately $160 per session instead. When I raised this concern, Megan Van Carpels advised me that she would investigate the discrepancy and recommended that I request reimbursement. Despite multiple communications, I never received a follow-up or resolution. I was ultimately directed to contact Headway on my own, leaving me to navigate the issue without any meaningful assistance from the organization. I was equally disappointed with the quality of the counseling services provided. My sessions with Isabel often lacked structure, guidance, and actionable feedback. Rather than facilitating productive communication, identifying areas for improvement, or helping develop effective co-parenting strategies, many sessions consisted primarily of passive observation. As a result, I found myself questioning the value being provided relative to the substantial fees being charged. For a service that is frequently court-ordered and intended to support families during challenging circumstances, I expected greater transparency, accountability, professionalism, and therapeutic value. Instead, I was left frustrated by the billing practices, lack of follow-through, and overall quality of the services received. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend this organization.

TLDR; YES if you're a first time mom considering Kinspace, you need to sign up. It might seem…read moredaunting (another thing I need to do NOW?) but trust me it's worth it. My baby and I started at 2 months postpartum, have done a full year of Kinspace, and just "graduated." We've learned so much! Susan is phenomenal. The community is amazing and supportive. You'll meet local moms with babies of the same age, and together tackle a bunch of parenting "firsts" in the first year. I can't imagine going through it all without Susan and our mom group.

Hands down, this was the #1 best thing I did for myself and my baby postpartum…read more Susan has created such a safe and welcoming place for moms to meet other moms and learn about all things motherhood. Motherhood can be incredibly lonely and isolating and meeting up with the other moms weekly was truly a blessing. We learned so many tips and tricks and Susan always answered all of our questions. I not only came out of the group with so much knowledge but now I have a whole group of mom friends and friends for my son! I am so incredibly happy I joined Susan's group and I encourage every new mom I know to do it too.

Rachel did an amazing job helping our eight year old son adjust to some changing family situations…read more She's kind, thoughtful, and really knows how to connect with kids through play-based therapy. She helped me troubleshoot parenting issues I was having a hard time with and mediated a sticky parenting situation between two households. She's also really efficient and doesn't push for tons of sessions. I've recommended her to other friends because she helped us so much.

Rachel is one of the first colleagues I refer to for child therapy, parent coaching and individual…read moretherapy. As a therapist myself, I have many colleagues to choose from but I find myself referring to Rachel more often because of her unique combination of experience, depth, presence and intelligence. She can handle the most challenging behavior issues with children and gently midwife parents into deeper connection and attachment with their children. She is a gifted therapist and clients of all ages are in expert hands with Rachel.

We've been taking classes from Diana for the past 18 months (both in person and then online during…read morethe pandemic). We can't recommend her enough! She is extremely knowledgeable about early childhood behavior and education. She has been invaluable as we learn to parent!

Now, I have to let you know that I worked at NIAD back in the day and met my husband there. He…read morestill works there and my leaving and time there was brutal! But, boy have times changed! I love coming here for the art, the comraderie of the staff and the clients are full of love, hugs and joy! I have bought art there, I have bought jewelry there, and we went to NYC to be present with one of their artists who had a piece in the Whitney Bienniel! I was hired to be the personal secretary to Dr. Katz who founded Creative Growth in Oakland, Creativity Explored in San Francisco, and Creativity Unlimited in San Jose (I believe they closed a while back). I was at the first conference of Art and Disabilities held at the center with representatives from the four centers and others. Some came as far away as Canada and Minnesota. At that time, Creative Growth was the star of the group and we all aspired to have their success. Well, NIAD has found it. The idea for the center started after the mental health facilities in CA were closed by Ronald Reagan. But before the closure, Florence, his wife and artist, would drive up with art supplies so that the people could create art. A lot of the clients were relocted to the bay area and he opened the center for them to create art. Eli was passionate about the clients and felt that they had a right to create and he created a center where that's possible. I'm sure that he is beaming over everything that NIAD has become - an inclusive, welcoming place where artists get a chance for creative expression and can earn money from what they make. Good job for keeping it up guys!

HOORAY!!! This…read moreproject reached its goal with almost a week to spare. Pat yourselves on the back, you are a mighty fine bunch of Yelpers!