We offer FREE specialized peer support groups to meet you exactly where you are. Our group facilitators are either mental health professionals or peers who have also experienced loss.
PLEASE NOTE THAT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WE ARE OFFERING ALL GROUPS REMOTELY. YOU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US FROM ANYWHERE, YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE LOCAL TO CALGARY. EMAIL US TO LEARN MORE at info@pilsc.org
Groups Calendar
(NOTE: All times shown are Mountain Standard Time)
(To register for a group… scroll down)
Next Steps After Loss OPEN group
Ideal for: Families considering or trying for a child following loss
This group is for families considering or trying for a child following a loss. Parents may be considering fertility treatment, pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy. Parents may be, actively trying to conceive (naturally or through assisted fertility treatment), in the process of adoption or surrogacy. The group will cover topics such as acknowledging our stories, grief & loss, fears & anxiety, and creating healthy boundaries. This group is for both partners, couples and individuals are encouraged to attend. This group is affirming and trauma-informed.
NOTE: The group is running this summer on the 2nd Monday of June, July and August. It is an OPEN Next Steps After Loss group, so that you can try the group out before the 6-week series that will be starting in the fall.
Strength💜Support💜Together💜
Upcoming dates: June 14th, July 12th and August 9th from 6-7:30PM MST
Difficult Decisions Peer Support Group
Ideal for: Parents facing (or already made) the decision to terminate a Pregnancy for medical reasons (T.F.M.R)
We are a peer support group providing a safe, non-judgmental space for parents who are faced with or have had to make the difficult decision to terminate a pregnancy for medical reasons (T.F.M.R).
What is this group about?
Having to make the decision to end a wanted pregnancy is extremely difficult and comes with complex emotions. This group provides a space of you to freely share your journey with others who have also been there.
When We Meet: The 4th Wednesday of each month
NOTE: There will be no meetup on the 4th Wednesday in August
Time We Meet: 7:30pm-9:30pm (MST)
Where We Meet: Online
Please note that this group requires registration! Registration is FREE.
Difficult Decisions: 6-Week Closed Peer Support Group
Ideal for: Parents facing (or already made) the decision to terminate a Pregnancy for medical reasons (T.F.M.R)
We are a peer support group providing a safe, non-judgemental space for parents who are faced with, or have had to make the difficult decision to release a pregnancy for medical reasons.
What is this group about?
This group will cover topics such as acknowledging your grief, acknowledging your feelings and emotions, coping with making the decision and unanswered questions, creating and communicating healthy boundaries, and receiving support from others. Both partners, couples and individuals are encouraged to attend. We are an affirming and trauma-informed space.
When We Meet: Monday evenings for 6 weeks starting Sept 13, 2021 (see “Book Now” for upcoming group dates)
Time We Meet: We have two group time offerings: 5:30-7:30pm (MST) and 8:00-10:00pm (MST)
Where We Meet: Online
Please note that this group requires registration! Registration is FREE.
Next Steps After Loss Peer Support Group
Ideal for: Families Considering or Trying for a child following loss
This 6 week, closed group is for families considering or trying for a child following loss. Parents may be considering fertility treatment, pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy. Parents may also be actively trying to conceive (naturally or through assisted fertility treatment), in process of adoption or surrogacy.
What is this group about?
The group will cover topics such as acknowledging our stories, grief & loss, fears & anxiety, and creating healthy boundaries. Both partners, couples and individuals are encouraged to attend. We are an affirming and trauma-informed space.
When We Meet: Monday evenings for 6 weeks (see “Book Now” for upcoming group dates)
Time We Meet: 5:30-7:30pm (MST)
Where We Meet: Online
Please note that this group requires registration! Registration is FREE.
Fertility 6-Week Closed Peer Support Group
Ideal for: Those who are entering into or currently navigating the fertility journey (including secondary infertility, the surrogacy route and those using donor eggs, donor sperm, freezing eggs, etc.), open to birthing and non-birthing individuals.
We are a peer group that allows people who are going through the fertility journey to connect in a non-judgmental setting. This group is about a space to acknowledge, support, and walk with each other through our fertility experiences, to discuss the many emotions we are faced with, to learn ways to cope with the cloud of confusion, anxiety and to gain self-awareness and self-direction. Both partners and individuals are encouraged to register and attend. We are an affirming and trauma-informed space.
When We Meet: Friday evenings for 6 weeks starting Sept 10, 2021 (see “Book Now” for upcoming group dates).
Time We Meet: Fridays, 6:00-8:00pm (MST)
Where We Meet: Online
Please note that this group requires registration! Registration is FREE.
LGBTQ2S+ Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group
Ideal for: Persons in the LGBTQ2S+ community who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss (birthing persons, non-birthing persons, partners, surrogates, donors, etc.)
We are a peer support group providing a safe, non-judgmental space for those who identify as someone in the queer community who has experienced some form of pregnancy or infant loss (open to birthing persons, non-birthing persons, partners, surrogates, donors, etc.). We are an affirming and trauma-informed space.
When we meet: 2nd Wednesday of the month from 8:00-9:30 pm MST
Start date: September 8th, 2021
Where we meet: Online
Please note that this group requires registration. Registration is FREE.
Pregnant After Loss Meet Up
Ideal for: Individuals who are Pregnant again after Previous Pregnancy or Infant loss
We are a peer support group providing a safe, non-judgemental space for individuals who are pregnant again after previous pregnancy or infant loss.
What is this group about?
This group is about connecting to others who are in a similar phase of the journey while covering topics related to pregnancy after loss.
When We Meet: The 3rd Wednesday of Each Month
Time We Meet: 8pm-10pm (MST) until end of July. New timings to be announced soon (for September).
NOTE: There will be no meetups in August
Where We Meet: Online
Please note that this group requires registration! Registration is FREE.
PUNJABI speaking Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group (for the South Asian community)
Ideal for: Punjabi speaking Individuals and Parents who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss
Description: We are a peer group that allows individuals and parents in the South Asian community who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss to connect in a non-judgmental and safe setting. Open to birthing and non-birthing partners.
Date and Time: Thursdays, October 7 and 14, 2021 at 5:00-7:00 pm
Register by calling Punjabi Community Health Services Main line number: 587-999-9312 or by email: info@pchscalgary.com
Grieving Without living Children Peer Support Group
Ideal for: Parents who do not have any living children currently
We are a peer support group that provides individuals and parents who do not have any living children after previous pregnancy and infant loss, to connect in a non-judgmental setting.
Who is this group for?
This group is for parents who do not have any living children currently. This is an adult’s only group; no pregnant people or babies/children in attendance please. Partners are welcome.
What is the group about?
This group is about connecting with other people who can relate to the complexities of not having children that others can see. The group addresses the unique challenges that parents of angel babies face.
When We Meet:
The 2nd Thursday of each month
NOTE: There will be no meetups in August
Time We Meet:
7pm-9pm (MST)
Where We Meet: Online
Please note that this group requires registration! Registration is FREE.
Grieving With Living Children Peer Support Group
Ideal for: Those who are parenting living children after loss
We are a peer group that allows individuals and parents who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss and also have living children (at any age) to connect in a non-judgmental setting.
Who is this group for?
This group is for those who are parenting living children after loss. Members can have children after or before loss. Partners are welcome.
What is the group about?
This group is about finding ways to grieve our children who are not with us, while also managing the responsibilities of parenting living children.
No babes in arms.
When We Meet: The 3rd Tuesday of each month
Time We Meet: 7:30pm-9:30pm (MST)
Where We Meet: Online
Please note that this group requires registration! Registration is FREE.
Parent and Baby Peer Support Group
Ideal for: Parents that Welcomed a new baby after a Previous Loss
We are a peer support group for parents with a living baby (0-12 months old) born after a previous pregnancy, infant or child loss.
Who is this group for?
This group is for any parent who has welcomed a new baby after a previous loss.
What is this group about?
This group is about honouring the joy and grief of parenting after loss. We will give parents the tools to address the unique anxiety, worries, disconnection, and fears with your new baby.
When We Meet: Wednesday mornings for 6 weeks starting Sept 15, 2021 (see “Book Now” for upcoming group dates)
Time We Meet: 9:30-10:30am (MST)
Where We Meet: Online
Please note that this group requires registration! Registration is FREE.
Partners in Loss Peer Support Group
Ideal for: Partners (the non-birthing person) who have also experienced loss
We are a casual peer group for partners to discuss their unique journey of loss, grief and healing in a safe and inclusive space.
Who is this group for?
This group is for all partners (the non-birthing person) who have also experienced the loss of a pregnancy or infant. Please note that we appreciate diversity–partners of same sex and non-binary folks are welcome.
What is the group about?
This group is about the acknowledgement of the unique and often disenfranchised grief that partners experience in their journey of pregnancy and infant loss. The group is an affirming place for those who are navigating loss as a partner.
When We Meet: The First Thursday of each month
NOTE: There will be no meetups in August
What Time We Meet: 8:00-10:00pm (MST)
Where We Meet: Online
Please note that this group requires registration! Registration is FREE.
Grieving with Living Children: 5-Week Closed Peer Support Group
Ideal for: Those who are parenting living children after loss. Members can have children before or after loss. Partners are welcome.
We are a peer group that allows individuals and parents who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss and also have living children (at any age) to connect in a nonjudgmental setting. This group is about finding ways to grieve our children who are not with us, while also managing the responsibilities of parenting living children.
Who is this group for?
Those who are parenting living children after loss. Members can have children before or after loss. Partners are welcome.
What is the group about?
This group is about finding ways to grieve our children who are not with us, while also managing the responsibilities of parenting living children.
When We Meet: Thursday evenings for 5 weeks starting Sept 16, 2021 (see “Book Now” for upcoming group dates)
What Time We Meet: 5:30 pm-7:00 pm
Where We Meet: Online
Please note that this group requires registration! Registration is FREE.