The Science and Art of Playful Parenting

Are you struggling with your child’s meltdowns or emotional outbursts? Join Karen Wolfe, LMFT and Certified Hand in Hand Parenting Instructor, for a practical and inspiring webinar on how to turn tears and tantrums into connection and healing — through the power of play.

This playful workshop explores the science and art of playful parenting, offering tools to:

- Reduce behavioral challenges through connection-based play

- Use Playlistening to invite healing laughter and emotional release

- Shift power dynamics with role reversal games that foster resilience

- Reclaim your own joy in parenting — even during tough moments

- Learn effective games like “A Million Kisses,” “Sitting Duck,” and “The Officious Adult”

- Understand how physical, somatic play supports nervous system regulation

- Explore the value of Listening Partnerships to receive the support you need

This event is for parents, caregivers, and therapists looking to cultivate emotional intelligence, trust, and ease at home — all while having fun.

Thinking about diving deeper into the Hand in Hand Parenting approach?

This workshop is the perfect warm-up to see if Karen’s 6-week Hand in Hand Parenting Foundations Course is the right next step for you.

Saturday, September 27th

10:30-12pm

Location: EBTC - 251 Lafayette Circle Suite 330

Cost: FREE

To register: send an email to eastbaytherapistcommunity@gmail.com

Gottman Workshop for New & Expecting Parents

Welcoming a new baby is a joyful and life-changing experience— but it can also bring unexpected stress and strain to even the strongest relationships.  The Brining Baby Home workshop, developed by Drs John and Julie Gottman, is a researched-based program designed to help parents strengthen their partnership and create a nurturing environment for their child.  

In this 3-part interactive workshop, you’ll:

- Stay emotionally connected and deepen intimacy

- Navigate conflict with care and trust

- Build teamwork for co-parenting

- Understand your baby’s emotional cues and development

Details:

Dates: October 18, 25 & November 1st

Time: 2:30–6:30 pm

Location: EBTC, 251 Lafayette Circle, Suite 330, Lafayette

Cost: $475 per couple.  Early bird discount if you register by September 30

Register Now

Led by Laura Matthews, LCSW and certified Gottman Bringing Baby Home educator. Laura Matthews, LCSW is a therapist and group facilitator based in the East Bay.  She primarily works with new parents and those impacted by chronic or serious illness.  She has been facilitating a new moms support group for several years and listening to attendees realized how many families could benefit from learning skills to navigate common problems that arise in the postpartum period.  Laura is a mother of two and an avid reader in her free time.  For more information, visit https://www.lauramatthewslcsw.com/

Led by Pam Lozoff, LCSW

Through these deep dive group sessions, you will be able to:

* Bring your lived experience and the conversation about suicide out of the shadows and out of hiding 

* Be guided through somatic & expressive arts- based practices to encounter suicidality and the contemplation of death, which are experiences that often transgress the verbal and cerebral

* Connect to others with shared and unique lived experiences, in a skillfully held container, around content that can be taboo and shrouded by shame, even in the therapy room

Commitment:

- Attend all 4 - 1.75 hr long sessions : Oct 18th (BE HERE) Nov 1st (DESCEND) Nov 8th (DECOMPOSE), Nov 22nd (LIVE), all in person in Lafayette

- $480 (pay upfront for all 4 @ $400,  or per session @ $120)

- Be in ongoing therapy or other healing work while participating in this group 

- Sign group agreements

Bio: Pam Lozoff is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a somatic therapist, facilitator, and writer based in Oakland, CA. She enjoys working with teens and adults who are neurodivergent, creatives, sensitive ones, as well as fellow grief walkers. Pam is also the survivor of a suicide attempt --her experience of coming back from the edge and other experiences in the liminal spaces between life and death have guided her to create this group offering for others.This group is not appropriate for those who are in acute crisis, but is open to folks who are looking to integrate the self-desctructive/ self-harming part of themselves into their whole being.

Location: EBTC - 251 Lafayette Circle Suite 330

Registration: https://embodiedwaywithpam.com/groups

Step into a compassionate space by joining Nes Pinar, LMFT, a Certified Grief-Informed Counselor. Together, we'll navigate the intricacies of grief and loss, fostering a safe and supportive environment for healing and understanding.

If you've experienced the profound loss of someone who ended their own life, and find yourself grappling with complex emotions and unanswered questions, this group offers a space to connect with others on a similar path.

If you resonate with these experiences:

Someone you loved ended their own life.

- You keep searching for answers, trying to understand “why”.

- You keep re-playing all the “what if” scenarios in your head.

- You keep looking for someone to blame (including yourself) and hope you will feel better once you know.

- No matter how hard you try, you cannot have “closure,” whatever that is!

- Your grief feels so complicated and so heavy you are struggling in your daily life.

- You’re tired of hearing your friends and family saying all the cliches, no matter how well-intentioned they are.

This is an opportunity to try something different. Let’s come together with others who are on the same path and find the support you need.

EVENT DETAILS:

Wednesdays, 6 pm to 7:30 pm.

Investment: $100 per session with strong encouragement for weekly attendance.

Limited to 6 people each week; advance registration is required.

Facilitator: Nes Pinar, LMFT

Location: EBTC - 251 Lafayette Circle Suite 330

To register or learn more, send an email to nespinar@gmail.com.

This group provides a space for shared understanding and support as you navigate the complexities of grief.

Embark on a transformative journey with Nes Pinar, LMFT, in our exclusive group sessions designed for individuals seeking growth and self-discovery.

If you resonate with at least three of the following statements:

You feel like whatever you do, it is neverenough.

You tend to be anxious about letting people down.

It is hard for you to sit down and just relax or have fun.

You tend to overextend yourself, but you often don’t realize this until after the fact.

You tend to focus on what you are failing to do versus what you accomplish in your life.

Other people tend to disappoint you, OR it seems like everyone else seems to be “better” than you.

Your life is full of “supposed to’s” that you apply to yourself and others.

You hate ambiguity, you want to know “What, When, and How,” and you want to know it “Now!”

This group is tailor-made for you!

Take the first step towards positive change. If not now, when?

EVENT DETAILS:

For 10-weeks on Mondays from 12:30 pm to 2 pm (additional evening group possible with sufficient interest).

Investment: $85 per session ($50 off in total, if paid in full by the first session)

Advance registration is required.

Facilitator: Nes Pinar, LMFT ( A perfectionist in-recovery)

Location: EBTC - 251 Lafayette Circle Suite 330

To register or learn more, send an email to nespinar@gmail.com.

Led by Fiona Fletcher Tavernier, MA, Reiki Master, BBS Certified Integrative Trauma Practitioner, Specialist in the Trait of the Highly Sensitive Person. 

Many of us grew up experiencing the pain of feeling like our caregivers did not understand our emotional needs. This lack of "emotional attunement" can cause us to feel shame around our needs and disengage from our emotional experiences, resulting in feeling easily thrown out of emotional balance. This repeated “emotional dysregulation” can make us feel unsafe in our own bodies and cause us to experience conflict or dissatisfaction in our intimate relationships.

Understanding what we need emotionally is critical for our ability to self-regulate, live our lives in a state of relative emotional safety and widening our window of tolerance for managing stress and upset.   

In this workshop Fiona uses her unconventional combination of Counseling Psychology, Somatic Experiencing and Astrology to guide you through a gentle process of learning about your unique set of emotional needs according to your Astrological Birth Chart. Having access to this empowering information about your unique self can help you release past trauma, begin the process of forgiveness, learn to meet your own emotional needs and learn to communicate your emotional needs to those closest to you. At the end of the workshop you will be guided through a beautiful ritual to support feelings of closure and empower you with new tools to use going forward in your relationships. You will be invited to share your birth information during registration so that I can view your personal Astrological Birth Chart before the workshop date. 

Bio: Fiona holds an MA in Counseling Psychology and is BBS Certified as an Integrative Trauma Practitioner. Fiona is a Reiki Master and has a Reiki practice in Downtown Lafayette where she sees clients for energy therapy supported by counseling. She also practices remote Reiki with clients via Zoom.

THIS EVENT WILL BE RESCHEDULED.

THE NEW DATE WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON.

EBTC - 251 Lafayette Circle Suite 330

Fee: $55 per person

To register, please visit https://www.reiki-for-healing.com/offerings/p/oracle-cards-for-self-healing-live-event

Led by Erica Thomas, LMFT.

You’ve promised yourself it won’t happen again, but there you are, standing in front of the fridge at midnight or nursing a stomachache after another sugar binge, wondering why you keep doing this. This workshop offers a new way to understand what’s really going on. Rather than trying to control or shame yourself into change, you’ll learn how binge eating can be a response to emotional pain, and how self-compassion can gently interrupt that cycle. Through simple, powerful practices grounded in both research and real-life experience, you’ll begin to relate to yourself with more understanding and less judgment. Whether you're supporting others in healing or navigating this struggle yourself, you’ll leave with insight, a guided self-compassion practice, and a take-home tool to help you respond more kindly and effectively the next time the urge to binge arises.

Bio: Erica Thomas is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. She has a Master’s Degree in Integral Counseling Psychology. She has over 15 years of experience supporting individuals and families navigating trauma, addiction, neurodivergence, and disordered eating. Erica now specializes in helping clients heal emotional and binge eating through the lens of self-compassion. Drawing from training with Dr. Kristin Neff as well as training in Mindfulness Based stress Reduction and her training in eating disorder treatment. She leads workshops for both clients and professionals, blending clinical expertise with warmth, clarity, and presence. To learn more about Erica, please visit https://ericathomaslmft.com.

Saturday, June 21, 2025

2 PM - 4 PM

EBTC - 251 Lafayette Circle Suite 330

Fee: Free

To register: send an email to eastbaytherapistcommunity@gmail.com

Working with Oracle Cards can be a potent tool for renewing trust in your own internal guidance system, your most powerful tool for self-healing.

Led by Fiona Fletcher Tavernier, MA, Reiki Master, BBS Certified Integrative Trauma Practitioner, Specialist in the trait of The Highly Sensitive Person.

In this workshop I will share with you both my secular and spiritual practices of working with Oracle Cards to connect to your Higher Self. You will learn how to connect to the energy of Oracle Cards as apractice to look at your unconscious/subconscious belief systems.

Bio: Fiona holds an MA in Counseling Psychology and is BBS Certified as an Integrative Trauma Practitioner. Fiona is a Reiki Master and has a Reiki practice in Downtown Lafayette where she sees clients for energy therapy supported by counseling. She also practices remote Reiki with clients via Zoom. Please visit https://www.reiki-for-healing.com/ to learn more about Fiona.

Saturday, June 14, 2025

2:00 PM 4:00 PM

EBTC - 251 Lafayette Circle Suite 330

Fee: $55 per person

To register: please visit https://www.reiki-for-healing.com/offerings/p/oracle-cards-for-self-healing-live-event

Please join us for our ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate our one-year anniversary in our new location and being a member of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. We are also celebrating the 10-year anniversary of our Lafayette practice!  

Our office provides psychotherapy and neurofeedback for children, teens, and adults. We also host the East Bay Therapists Community (EBTC), which is a social and educational hub for mental health therapists.

We hope to get to know each other at our event through some fun & simple group games. 

Please visit www.nespinar.com by the event date to subscribe to our e-mail list for a chance to win a wellness basket.

To register:
https://cca.lafayettechamber.org/EvtListing.aspx?dbid2=CALAF&evtid=122353&class=E

Led by Fiona Fletcher Tavernier, MA, Reiki Master, Certified Integrative Trauma Practitioner, Specialist in the trait of The Highly Sensitive Person.

In this 90 minute class you will be introduced to Reiki, a non-religious form of Energy Healing. You will be guided through the use of hand placements and gentle touch on the Seven Chakra areas of your body. You will learn what aspects of your inner world are governed by each Chakra and how to bring more energy into those areas of your body using touch, breath and visualization. In Eastern Medicine, Chakra Energy areas govern: Safety, Creativity, Self-Esteem, Love, Communication, Intuition and Connection to The Divine. 

Event Details: Saturday, February 22nd, 3-4:30pm. 

$22 per person. 

To Register: Send an email to fiona@reiki-for-healing.com

More information about the facilitator can be found at www.reiki-for-healing.com

Do you ever feel like you're navigating a world designed for a different kind of kid? You're not alone. Being a caregiver of a neurodiverse child can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with unique challenges and emotions. This therapy group is a safe and supportive space for you to connect with other caregivers who understand exactly what you're going through.

This group is for caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Twice Exceptionality, ADHD, Dyslexia, Sensory Processing Disorder, and other neurodiversities; Moms who are feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or alone in their parenting journey; Parents who are seeking validation, understanding, and practical tools for managing daily life. Your child does not have to have a diagnosis for you to join. If you relate to the description, you are welcome.

We will share experiences and challenges, gain insight and perspective from other moms who “get it”, celebrate your victories, and find strength in shared experiences. You will develop a sense of community and belonging.

6+ Week Group Therapy Program:

Virtual Program: $330 / $50 per session

Thursdays - 3/14 - 4/25 (No session 4/4)

Time: 12 PM -1:30 PM (feel free to bring your lunch)

It's 6+ because it can be ongoing beyond 6 weeks if enough group members would like to continue!

Email Deb@debshell.com to get signed up.

Deb Shell, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, supervised by Nes Pinar, LMFT

Discover valuable insights and support as a parent, caregiver, or teacher of a neurodiverse child in this thoughtfully crafted workshop.

While acknowledging the challenges, we recognize the profound rewards that come with guiding neurodiverse children towards happiness and well-being.

Key Topics Include:

Understanding neurodiversity and its significance.

Exploring common neurodiverse conditions and their impact on children.

Nurturing the development of your neurodiverse child at home and in school.

Creating an inclusive environment that supports your child's needs.

Strategies for navigating the challenges of parenting a neurodiverse child.

Benefits of Participation:

Gain a deeper understanding of neurodiversity.

Receive practical insights into supporting your child's development.

Learn to foster inclusivity in your child's environment.

Navigate the parenting journey with valuable coping strategies.

This is an opportunity to connect with Deb Shell, AMFT, and fellow parents, sharing experiences and gaining valuable knowledge. Join us on this journey towards fostering happiness and health in neurodiverse children.

EVENT DETAILS:

Dates: TBD

Location: TBD

Email Deb@debshell.com to get signed up.

Navigate the complexities of living in a family with anxiety through our carefully curated workshop. In the face of the challenges that anxiety poses, it can be uncertain how to support your loved ones and address its impact on yourself and the family as a whole.

Key Workshop Topics:

Understanding anxiety and its impact on families.

Strategies for supporting a loved one dealing with anxiety.

Coping mechanisms for managing the effects of anxiety on yourself and the family.

Creating a nurturing and empathetic home environment.

Exploring available resources to aid your family's journey.

What to Expect:

Gain insights into the nature of anxiety and its family dynamics.

Learn effective ways to support loved ones with anxiety.

Discover coping strategies for the family's well-being.

Foster a home environment that promotes understanding and support.

Connect with Deb Shell and fellow participants to share experiences and glean wisdom from others who have walked a similar path. Join us in this workshop as we explore ways to live with anxiety and cultivate resilience within families.

EVENT DETAILS:

Facilitator: Deb Shell, AMFT

Dates: TBD

Location: TBD

Email Deb@debshell.com to get signed up.