I am so thankful that my friend recommended to me shortly after I gave birth to my son earlier this year. Jennifer facilitates the weekly meetings by providing thoughtful insights, a great deal of compassion and understanding, and has such a tremendously kind demeanor that everyone cannot help but feel heard, supported and truly cared for. In addition to the amazing space that Jennifer creates in the group, it is also so nice to be able to connect with other women who are at the same stage of life. I have found such an incredible community of new moms through this group and can tell we will be connected for years to come. Jennifer's dedication to providing a warm and loving space for women at a particularly vulnerable stage of the human experience is an absolute gift. Thank you for all that you do! I strongly recommend Support Group for Mothers to any pregnant folks in the East Bay! read more

I joined a support group with Jennifer when my baby was 3 months old and it was the single best thing I've done since becoming a mother. I had no idea how much I would appreciate finding such a supportive community of mothers to learn and grow with. Jennifer is compassionate and kind, supportive and non-judgmental, and makes sure everyone feels welcome and accepted. I think of her as the mother of mothers. She's a wealth of knowledge and can be so, so helpful if you have any child-rearing questions. Joining a support group wasn't just good for me as a mom, but has also been wonderful for my daughter who has been growing up in a loving community of mothers, fathers, and babies who all look out for each other and help each other through struggles. I can't say what the future holds, but I believe we have found a circle of friends for life. I would also like to add since I read another reviewer who said she felt alienated for not breastfeeding, that this is FAR from my experience and very hard for me to believe. Jennifer has actively supported many mothers who couldn't breastfeed for different reasons or who struggled with breastfeeding. She supported me when I went through struggles with low-milk supply and was the first person to suggest and make me feel comfortable with supplementing with formula. That was a life-changer for me and my baby and I'm so grateful to Jennifer for helping me to navigate that decision. Much to my disappointment, my baby also weaned from the breast early, and again, it was so helpful to have Jennifer's encouraging words and support through that difficult time. read more

If I could recommend one thing to new Mamas, it would be to join this class with Jennifer. With Covid, I wasn't sure if a Zoom class would meet my expectations of a support group which is typically held in person. That said, if you're looking for community, support, and information, this is the place to find it! The virtual medium was not an impediment at all. Overall, the class really helped me navigate those first few months of motherhood. Our group had so many questions, thoughts, feelings, and Jennifer is an excellent facilitator, has a wealth of knowledge, and is so patient and kind. We continue to keep in touch after the sessions finished. A highly recommended experience! Thanks again, Jennifer! read more

I highly recommend this group for new moms. It gave me a wealth of knowledge and support. It helped me gain confidence and new friends which was much needed following the birth of my child. Jennifer is kind and compassionate and facilitates a non-judgmental conversation on topics relevant to new moms. I didn't always have others in the group that could relate to my particular set of postpartum struggles but I always felt supported and that others outside the group had my same struggles. Jennifer does a great job of pulling in her knowledge and experience working with so many new moms to help you to feel like you are not alone. The facilitated outings were exactly what I needed. I can't recommend this group enough. Now I feel like I have a solid group of mom friends that I can connect with whenever! read more

Five stars alone just for getting me out of the house with the baby ALL BY MYSELF. This was a huge accomplishment for me. 1. I tend to avoid groups 2. I tend to avoid touchy feely groups in particular 3. My little angel screamed her freaking head off the entire drive there 4. I missed it and had to drive all the way around Lake Merritt again with number 3 still in play 5. I went in the back way and coud not get in. Still I managed to walk around the block and in the front door and give it all a wary look over. I was cranky as all Hell and thinking to myself 'this better be worth it'. It was. The group is new and small but miracle of miracles I felt comfortable with them. The facilitator is warm and welcoming without making me cringe and the other gals in the group seem smart, together and like people I want to know. I'm looking forward to next week, even if I do have to endure torturous screams the entire drive there. read more

Jennifer has not returned one phone call or email and has essentially taken my $200 without confirming when the working mommy group will occur. In this, if I do not get my $ back in the next week I'm going to report her to the BBB- better business bureau. The other thing is, I'm a new mom and really do not have time for this, and so... have wasted energy signing up and going to a support group that isn't happening. Again, I have called and emailed her several times, but she has not gotten back to me. This is so unprofessional, and borderline unethical I cannot believe it. Stay clear of this 'mommy group'... what a shame for new moms out there. read more

Great support for a new mom! My daughter was born on December 1, 2016 and I knew I would need all the help I could get. This support group was recommended by my neighbor and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Jennifer was an excellent facilitator and kind listener. Having a safe space to hang, talk, cry, laugh, and be with my baby helped me get through the early months of momhood. The babies have grown now and we have grown as a group. Thank you! read more

Jennifer has been so supportive through both of my children's first years. She has so much knowledge and is so kind and supportive. It's been really awesome to find these types of groups and have the support of other new parents. Without some of the relationships I've made, we would've found having a second child so much more challenging. I just can't say enough about how much I've benefitted from attending groups. read more

A quick update on my experience....after writing my Yelp review Jennifer did contact me, in fact several times. I definitely appreciated this since it was what I was wanting all along- to speak my decision over with someone. She said she is still getting used to using her Blackberry for business emails but that she knows this is a problem and is learning how to better navigate this communication channel, as well as considering getting an assistant to ensure more timely responses. So, in a nutshell, I feel better about the overall situation and appreciate Jennifer's desire to show up after a messy exchange. They also DID refund my money which I dearly appreciate. I feel closure around this and will clarify that my main conflict was with the business management of the group, not the content or the bonds created. This may very well be for you, so if you are looking for this type of support, check them out. read more

HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Jennifer is amazing! I initially took her infant care and birthing classes at Alta Bates so I already knew how knowledgeable she was. In addition to her breadth of knowledge, she is incredibly supportive and very thoughtful with her words. I joined her support group for new moms and am so grateful I did. She has created a wonderfully supportive community for us new moms. I really can't sit her praises enough. Thank you Jennifer for making this challenging time as a new mom much easier! PS - I was so sad to see that one star review. I'm sure Jennifer had a legitimate reason for her delay in responding to that woman. Jennifer is very honest and responsible. read more

I'm attending two support groups led by Jennifer. She's amazing, can't describe how helpful hew knowledge and experience is!

I had an all-around amazing experience with Support Group for Mothers. The women in the group, and the facilitator, Jennifer, were my lifeline during a difficult new mom experience. I am still close with the members of my original group, and two years have gone by! There are so many reasons to join a group with Support Group for Mothers: 1) It will force you to get out of the house twice a week (once for group and once for a fun outing), 2) you may (like I have) make lasting friendships, 3) It's hard being a new mom, and the support, resources and camaraderie that you'll find in this group cannot be beat. I recommend this group to every new mom that I know in the area. It's worth your time, money and effort. read more

Jennifer is simply a wonderful and warm resource for new mothers and experienced mothers alike. After having both my sons I participated in her groups which provide a safe and welcoming place to discuss the trials and tribulations of becoming a new parent and then becoming a parent of two. She has been at this trade for many years and has a wealth of information on nearly every topic related to raising young children and the postpartum period. She is able to offer advice and wisdom without judgment, which is essential during such a sensitive time of life. I remain friends with mothers I met in both the first and second time moms groups. Highly recommend! read more

This is just what I needed as a new mom- a great community of fellow mothers (8 of us in the group) and a wonderful facilitator, Jennifer, who offered much support and great advice! She's super experienced and also leads groups at Alta Bates. Very glad I did this. We moms are still in touch daily! I do wish they offered more logistical info about the group upfront- website was bare bones. Ended up meeting in Albany on Tuesday late morning. Not a problem as I live in Berkeley and had a flexible schedule for the most part, but would have been nice to know in advance. Ended up missing a few sessions due to previously- scheduled appointments. Could be though that they can't confirm they have the space until the group starts and based on the group size. read more

I just started to go this as a first time mother at the recommendation of a friend who has gone before me and I can see why my friend was so insistent that it is worth every penny. The director of the group is extremely knowledgeable and supportive. There are two locations for this meeting: one in Oakland Lake Merritt area and the other in Berkeley at Birth Ways. I am glad that I decided to attend and fit it in before I go back to work. read more

I echo everything these most recent reviews have said. Joining a mother's group was the best thing I did during my maternity leave - in fact, I joined three, and Jennifer's was the best! Not only did she weekly send us emails with amazing resources, she listened to every person kindly and compassionately at our weekly support group. Prior to birth, I didn't realize how I was going to need this support network. She even prorated the series because I knew I couldn't attend two sessions. And finally, at the last session, she helped our group set up a system so that we would continue to meet ourselves! If you think you might want to do this, definitely do!!! read more

I feel so lucky to have joined this mother's group. Jennifer, the facilitator of my group, is nonjudgmental, a great resource, great at facilitating conversation, and truly committed to having us moms make strong friendships with one another. If you're at all considering this group, JOIN! It is well worth it. read more

This group was heavily promoted by Kaiser, so I figured what the heck and joined a group in spring 2016. Something I wish I had realized sooner - because the group is held at a lactation support center, the slant is super pro-breastfeeding. Fair enough, but for those of us who struggle with breastfeeding, or don't want to, or anything else like that, expect to feel alienated and alone at this group. Something to know before you join. read more

The Support Group for Mothers was a life-saver for me. My little one was 3 weeks when I joined and it was essential for me in those first months of motherhood. I hadn't been a part of a support group or therapy before, so I was tentative about what outcomes might result. But I knew I needed some companionship and advice and I found more - shoulders to cry on, practical strategies, and belly laughter. It's a must for any new momma! read more

I cannot say enough positive things about Jennifer. She is warm, open, knowledgable and a complete savior for me in the early days of parenting. If there was a toddler support group, I'd be the first to sign-up. Some of the moms that I met in group 2.5 years ago have become some of my closest friends and my strongest parenting support. Joining this group is one of the most important things you can do for yourself as a new mom. read more

I have always been attracted to babies and have a lot of experience holding them and taking care of them (including as a labor and delivery nurse). I chose a pediatrician while I was pregnant, and planned for my mom to come help us after the birth. I thought I was prepared for parenting, and the actual experience was mind boggling to me. I didn't realize how much physical support I would need after the birth (so grateful my mom was here to help), but I also didn't know how much social support I would need after the birth. I am an introvert and have enjoyed living by myself in the past, but becoming a mother brought up a need in me to have others around that I haven't felt before. I also feel like our society doesn't support us to help meet our needs as new mothers, but Jennifer and this group was like a beacon of light amidst the cultural darkness. Jennifer is a fountain of knowledge and experience, and we all benefitted from her wisdom. She is also an excellent teacher in the sense that she clearly is an expert in her field yet she also clearly remembers what it's like to not know all of her knowledge and therefore she can connect with and relate to us as new moms. She facilitates the group in such a way that you can easily become friends and hang out with other new moms which is very supportive. My best friend gave birth 2 years ago, and she attended a different new moms group and felt it was a depressing experience because people talked about how hard it was for them and the facilitator didn't offer any positive suggestions. Jennifer is so full of warmth and wisdom that we all came away from our group meetings feeling heard and supported, and she educated us and gave us tips that made a world of difference. Five stars is not enough for this group - I would recommend it to anyone!! read more

I can't thank Jennifer enough for her support group (I was part of the March 2013 Berkeley group). My son is doing wonderfully, and people keep telling me his good nature is because of my laid-back parenting. I owe so much of my attitude to her support group. She helped me realize that I can deal with anything that comes my way as a new mommy (and that I'm the "boss" of the best parenting solution that works for me). read more

I started attending when my daughter was 6 weeks old. The other moms in my group are really amazing and supportive. One thing I actually really appreciate about the group is there were a lot of women who I might never otherwise have met because we are a bit different and it gave me a chance to form really strong friendships with them. We continued to meet once or twice a week for the first six months after the group. As more of us went back to work then we began having monthly get together, and are now planning our first annual overnight away. I know that this group was so important for me to feel connected to other moms and to see that we all struggle at times. Every single woman in my group I consider a friends. Jennifer who runs the organization and often facilitates is amazing. (She also ran my breastfeeding and baby care class at Alta Bates). She has an ability to really listen and hear where people are coming from and support in a very nonjudgmental and helpful way. She was always patient with our concerns and questions, and never made any moms feel bad for having a concern or problem. read more

Jennifer Subasic-Marks was our group facillitator and this was an experience I will never forget. Before I had children, I often wanted to be part of a community of nurturing and empathic women, and this is precisely the kind of experience Jennifer provided for my group. My group stlll meets twice a month (after 2 years since its formation) and we share our pains/joys/tips about parenthood. I feel like my group members are my sisters and Jennifer was the warm, wise, nurturing, and knowledgeable mother that helped us get through the rough first 6 months of baby's life. Jennifer has gone further to teach me more about myself, and I've had many revelations thanks to her. She is like a second mother to me. Thank you and hope first-time moms can experience the group that has given me friendship, camaraderie, compassion, and wisdom. read more

I joined Jennifer's drop-in support group at Alta Bates shortly after my daughter was born. I quickly became a regular, and looked forward to those Thursday meetings each week. Looking back, I wish I had also joined the smaller support group too! I'm sure I would've enjoyed it. Jennifer is a true star in her field. She is compassionate, open to hearing all opinions, and has a talent for putting new moms at ease. She always had great suggestions to whatever baby problems I was facing, and I'd always leave group feeling like I had the tools to be a better parent. As a facilitator she's excellent at steering the group's discussion, but doing so without being overbearing. And to top it all off, I made friends with some other new parents through her group and we still get together with our now 1 1/2 year olds on a regular basis! read more

My experience with Support Group for Mothers was great! Of course, it is always going to depend on how you mesh with your particular group, but the facilitator (we had Elisa) was great and the topics were right on course. They were even really good at ensuring the cohesiveness of the group stayed on past the 8 weeks with great follow-up and helping us to set up more meetings. This is a really great way to get out of the house with your new little one and enter into a community of people who are just as sleep-deprived, excited, a little frightened and as information-overloaded as you. It helped me sort out many things and become more confident as a new mom. read more

I joined the group in 2010, and me and the other moms in my group are still meeting every month today -- over 4 years later! Jennifer is great at getting people to open up and to provide a safe space to be vulnerable. We continue many of the traditions that she started for us, such as giving each person their own time to open up and talk about anything they want with no interruptions. She is not always the most organized, which may be the source of some of the negative reviews I see on Yelp, but overall I am so glad I joined this group after the birth of my baby! read more

Talked to Jennifer and got my refund! The group did not work out as I wanted, but if the meetings are at set times, I know moms can benefit from this time and space to get together. read more

Every now and then I meet new moms at the playground who are talking about how isolated they feel, and how much they would appreciate some buddy support. I always refer them to the supportgroupformothers.com. and I believe every new mom should know about this great resource. When I first contacted them I wasn't so sure if I wanted to pay money for an informal group, but I found that these moms were so dedicated to this group, and it turned out to be the best support I could have imagined in the early weeks and months of motherhood. Having a group facilitator is a huge help in providing a safe environment for discussing potentially difficult topics and allowing each member the space to participate. The biggest eye opener: 13 perfect strangers with vastly different backgrounds bonded in a very short time. We were and still are sources of information for each other, as well as the people to turn to for consolation or humor in stress situations. I am proud to say that we still meet on a regular basis, and that our group is always the first source to go to for anything child related, may that be daily issues with child rearing or even bigger crises. Still grateful! read more

As a first-time new mother two years ago, I didn't know which end was up. I was sad, scared, anxious, lonely ... None of my friends had newborns. My husband went back to work. It was tough. Thank God for this group. It was the highlight of my week. Everyone's in the same boat, and Jennifer's been there too. Everyone understands and helps each other out. It doesn't matter if your kid is colicky or sleeps the whole time--anything goes. Same goes for the information we shared. Issues with siblings, partners, friends, childcare, food, weight loss, sex--whatever was on our minds we shared in a non-judgmental space. My particular group really clicked for awhile. We met weekly/monthly for at least a year. Things have fizzled out now with the group dynamic, but that's just the way life goes. Nonetheless, I'm still quite close with several women in the group, and they've been invaluable to me as I navigate this Motherhood Stuff. Please join Jennifer's group. It's really a lifesaver. read more

While I didn't sign up for one of Jennifer's Support Group for Mothers sessions, I did experience her weekly drop in support group through Alta Bates. I tell people all the time that the SINGLE BEST THING I've done since becoming a mom (now 2+ years ago) was joining that support group. Jennifer was a major major factor in me not falling into a deep depression since I had severe sleep issues with my son until he was about a year old. I came to that group religiously each week and cried, laughed, relaxed, felt better about myself, and received the support from her and the other moms there that I so desperately needed as a first-time mom. Jennifer was so compassionate, a great listener, has a knack for remembering the strengths/challenges with each mom and baby (despite there being 20+ moms in the room sometimes), and just reassured me SO MUCH that I was doing a great job, and that babies are really hard. I also learned so much from the other moms, espeically those with babies slightly older than mine about what to expect, tricks for overcoming issues, recommendations for various things, etc. Most of all, a handful of the women that I really clicked with in her group are still really close and we meet up weekly at parks with our kids - I practically love their kids as much as mine (more on the bad days, ha!) and since we've known each other's kids since they were 8 weeks old I think we all be friends for a long time, maybe for life. Anyway, Jennifer is amazing and I would recommend her without any reservations for any new mom, whether you are struggling or not, whether you have a big community of support or don't, whether you are the touchy-feely kind of person or not. She's the best! read more