Parents Helping Parents

Virtual Parent Support Groups

Always Free & Confidential

Real people. Real connections. Real compassion.

Parents Helping Parents offers free, confidential, peer-led virtual support groups for caregivers at every stage of the parenting journey.

In our Support Groups, you decide what to talk about in a compassionate and supportive space.

The purpose of our support groups is to create safe spaces where group members share experiences about parenting no matter where they are on the parenting journey. Our groups are free, confidential, and open to anyone who identifies as a caregiver. They are run by volunteer facilitators trained in the Parents Helping Parents Mutual Aid Support Group Model.

These groups are for parents looking for support. To protect emotional safety and trust, observers are not permitted.

Organizer

Parents Helping Parents (PHP)

Parents Helping Parents is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening families and supporting caregivers through free, confidential, peer-led mutual-aid support groups. PHP creates compassionate spaces where parents and caregivers can share experiences, reduce isolation, and build emotional resilience at every stage of the parenting journey.

All support groups are facilitated by trained volunteer leaders using the Parents Helping Parents Mutual Aid Support Group Model.

PHP’s virtual groups are open to anyone who identifies as a caregiver and are designed to be emotionally safe, confidential, and accessible.

Provider Website: https://parentshelpingparents.org

https://parentshelpingparents.org/virtual-support-groups

Weekly Online Groups

All times are listed in Pacific Standard Time (PST).

Parents with Children in Foster Care

Mondays 1:30–2:30 PM, Tuesdays 7:00–8:00 AM, Sundays 3:30–4:30 PM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/journey-to-reunification

Mindful Parenting

Wednesdays 7:00–8:00 AM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/mindful-parenting

Parenting Preschoolers

Thursdays 8:00–9:00 AM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/parenting-preschoolers

Parenting Teenagers

Tuesdays 5:00–6:00 PM, Fridays 9:00–10:00 AM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/parenting-teenagers

Parenting Adult Children

Mondays 5:00–6:00 PM, Saturdays 8:00–9:30 AM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/parenting-adult-children

Parenting in Recovery

Wednesdays 5:00–6:00 PM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/parenting-in-recovery

Grupo de Apoyo para Padres (Spanish)

Mondays 9:00–10:00 AM, Fridays 5:30–6:30 PM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/virtual-support-groups

High Conflict Divorce — Father’s Group

Mondays 9:00–10:00 AM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/virtual-support-groups

High Conflict Divorce

Fridays 9:00–10:00 AM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/virtual-support-groups

Single Parents

Wednesdays 4:00–5:00 PM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/virtual-support-groups

Father’s Group

Thursdays 9:30–10:30 AM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/virtual-support-groups

Mom’s Group

Saturdays 3:30–4:30 PM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/virtual-support-groups

Parenting Neurodivergent Children

Tuesdays 4:00–5:00 PM, Thursdays 9:00–10:00 AM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/virtual-support-groups

Parenting Teens with Special Needs

Wednesdays 10:00–11:00 AM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/virtual-support-groups

Parenting Children with Anxiety & Depression

Mondays 4:30–5:30 PM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/virtual-support-groups

Military Parents

Tuesdays 5:30–6:30 PM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/virtual-support-groups

Parenting as a Black Indigenous Person of Color (BIPOC)

Fridays 6:00–7:00 PM PST

Registration Link: https://parentshelpingparents.org/virtual-support-groups

PeerGalaxy Disclaimer

PeerGalaxy lists free, publicly accessible virtual events and peer-support opportunities for informational purposes only. PeerGalaxy does not provide medical, psychological, legal, or clinical advice and does not endorse any specific organization or program. Participation in any listed event is voluntary and at the participant’s own discretion. Always verify details directly with the provider, as schedules, facilitators, and access links may change.

DoD Safe Helpline is the sole secure, confidential, and anonymous crisis support service specially designed for members of the Department of Defense community affected by sexual assault.

Need help?

Call 877-995-5247 to be connected with a trained, confidential
Safe Helpline staff member, 24/7.

DSN users can call Safe Helpline by dialing 877-995-5247.

For those unable to call toll-free or DSN, call 202-540-5962.

OCONUS Service members can call the Telephone Helpline for free from
anywhere in the world by using Voice over IP (VoIP) technology from
theSafe Helpline App.

Online Helpline

Need help?

Visitonline.safehelpline.org or download the Safe Helpline
app to chat one-on-one with a trained Safe Helpline staff member
through an anonymous, secure instant-messaging format 24/7.

How can the Online Helpline help me?

You can chat one-on-one with a Safe Helpline staff member
to access a range of support services including:

• Anonymous, confidential, crisis intervention services
• Emotional support
• Referrals to both military and civilian resources in your area— sexual assault response coordinators (SARCs)/sexual assault prevention and response victim advocates (SAPR VAs), Chaplain, Legal, Medical/Behavioral health care services, military police, Veterans Crisis Line, local civilian sexual assault service providers, and many others.
• Information on military-specific policies, such as reporting options (Restricted and Unrestricted)
• Information for family and friends of survivors
• Information for leadership

Safe Helpline App

What is the Safe Helpline app?

      

The Safe Helpline app is a free mobile resource created to meet the unique needs of members of the Department of Defense community affected by sexual assault. By downloading the app, you can access 24/7 support through Safe Helpline’s Telephone and Online Helplines, get information and resources to help address the short- and long-term effects of sexual assault, as well as practical exercises, to help you manage your self-care. We also recognize that for many survivors stationed outside of the United States (OCONUS) additional limitations may arise when accessing resources, which is why the Safe Helpline app has been designed to give survivors access to a variety of support services and self-care exercises in a free, and convenient way.

How can the Safe Helpline app help me?

We’ve designed the app to give you a way to access any resource within the app directly from the home screen.

Chat: Access one-on-one support through the Online Helpline, 24/7 and chat directly with a Safe Helpline staff member.

Call: Connect directly to a Safe Helpline staff member for one-on-one support through the Telephone Helpline, 24/7. You can choose to make the call using Voice over IP (VoIP) or by using your cellular data. Using VoIP might be a good option for Service members who are OCONUS and may not have access to cellular service in their current location.

Learn: Within this section of the Safe Helpline app, you can access our self-paced educational programs to learn how to address the effects of sexual assault, how to support a survivor and ways Safe Helpline can support you or someone you know. All of these education programs can be completed anonymously by the user. You’ll also be able to access scenarios to give you tangible ways to step-in and support others.

Self-Care: The app allows you to easily create and use a customized self-care plan with specially designed self-care exercises. Once downloaded, you can come back to view your plan and exercises at any time, even without an Internet connection.

How do the self-care plans work?

The self-care plan is created by answering a series of six questions designed to help you focus and identify how you are feeling at that moment. Questions are answered on a sliding scale of zero (never) to five (always), and the app will recommend different exercises based on your responses. There are no “good” or “bad” answers to these questions, and responses can vary from day to day, depending on how you are feeling.

Once you’ve answered the questions on the plan, the app will suggest self-care exercises. The exercises include:

• Guided breathing
• Guided muscle relaxation
• Imagining yourself at the beach
• Focusing on the present
• Soothing sounds, such as sounds of the forest and sounds of rain falling

We recognize the importance of keeping your information safe, so we’ve also set up a security feature that allows you to lock your self-care plans behind a privacy wall using a 6-digit pin of your choosing.

Journaling:

The Safe Helpline app allows you to journal directly in the app with weekly prompts. Taking some time out of your week to journal can give you a moment for reflection and an opportunity for self-care. You can also choose to skip any prompts or just write freely depending on how you are feeling. Some of the questions include:

• When do you feel the most energized?
• What do you want to let go of this week?
• What are three things that you would do if you weren’t afraid?

Like the self-care plans, the journal entries you save are protected by a privacy wall and will allow you to lock your information behind a 6-digit pin of your choosing. You can also access and refer back to your journal without an Internet connection.

Coloring Book:

Sometimes focusing on a mindless activity can help you process difficult emotions and be grounded in the present.  To help with this, another self-care activity available on the app is a collection of six designs, ranging from easy to difficult, that allow you to paint or color your own works of art.

How is the Safe Helpline app secure, and is activity on the app traceable by third parties?

As with all Safe Helpline services, your privacy is of utmost importance, and the technology behind the Safe Helpline app was created by RAINN to protect your safety and anonymity by ensuring that no personally identifiable information (PII) is collected.

The following precautions have been implemented to protect your privacy when using the app:

• The app does not require an email address or any of your contact information when it is initially downloaded.
• You have the ability to set up a pin code to protect the information you record in the self-care plans, the journal, and completed coloring book designs.
• No information on how you use the app is ever collected or shared by Safe Helpline. This includes how often you use the app, who uses the app, or where you use the app.
• If you are concerned that someone may be able to access the app, you can delete all journal entries, self-care plans, and completed coloring books by simply deleting the app.

While Safe Helpline has taken the steps outlined above to help increase the safety and anonymity of Safe Helpline app users, please remember that if you are using the app on a DoD or other work-related device, your employer may be able to track your usage of this app. In addition, similarly to a paper journal, Safe Helpline app journal entries may be admissible during court proceedings.

REPORT RETALIATION

Military Feedback Form

If you have questions, comments, or complaints about the services on your installation/base or provided by a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), victim advocate or other military staff or personnel, please use this feedback form. You can submit the form anonymously if you prefer. The information you provide on this form will be forwarded to the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO).

Retaliation

If you believe you have experienced or witnessed retaliation in any form from a peer, supervisor, or someone in your chain of command following a report of sexual assault, you can share the retaliation allegations with SAPRO using this form.

If you would like to submit a retaliation report, please report directly to the Department of Defense Inspector General (DoD IG) here.

For members of the Coast Guard who have experienced retaliation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) IG will accept retaliation complaints as falling within the scope of their responsibilities for Whistleblower protection. Coast Guard Members who have experienced retaliation can contact the DHS IG by calling 1-800-323-8603 (toll-free) or access the Allegation Form online.

Retaliation Reporting Options to learn more about how to report relation and your options : https://www.safehelpline.org/reporting-option

RESOURCE LINKS

 

For Responders

For Leadership

For Supporters of Survivors

For Service Members Leaving the Military

For Survivors

 

Online Caregiver Support Groups & Resources

AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group (Facebook)

Private Facebook community with 15,000+ members providing 24/7 support.

When: Ongoing 24/7 | Cost: FREE

Contact: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/

Seniors At Home – Caregiver Support Groups

Weekly virtual peer support groups (JFCS).

When: Mondays 8:15-9:45 PM PT · Thursdays lunchtime | Cost: FREE

Register: https://seniorsathome.jfcs.org/series/caregiver-support-group/

Contact: [email protected]

Alzheimer’s Association Monthly Caregiver Support Group

Monthly support groups, second Wednesday of each month.

When: Feb 11, Mar 11 | Cost: FREE

Zoom: https://alz-org.zoom.us/j/92681159179 · Phone: 312-626-6799 · ID: 926 8115 9179

Register: 800-272-3900 | Contact: https://www.alz.org/orswwa

VITAS Grief Support Groups

Weekly groups for parents, LGBTQ+, Spanish-speakers, and men.

When: Parents: Mon 12 PM PT | LGBTQ+: Tue 3:30 PM PT | Spanish: Wed 5 PM PT | Men: 1st/3rd Fri 10 AM PT

Cost: FREE | Contact: 800-582-9533

Register: VITAS Grief Support Groups

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Support Groups

Weekly telephone groups for caregivers and spouses/partners.

When: General: Tue 4-5 PM PT | Spouses: Mon 4-5 PM PT | Cost: FREE

Contact: 866-232-8484 · https://alzfdn.org

HopeHealth Caregiver Support Groups

Twice monthly virtual support groups.

When: 2nd & 4th Wed 9-10:30 AM PT | Cost: FREE

Contact: (401) 415-4664 · [email protected]

Family Caregiver Alliance Support Groups

Groups for African American, LGBTQ, and young adult caregivers.

When: African American: Tue 4 PM PT | LGBTQ: 3rd Wed 4 PM PT | Young Adult: 1st/3rd Thu 6 PM PT

Cost: FREE | Contact: 800-445-8106 · https://www.caregiver.org

COPSA/Care2Caregivers Support Groups

Multiple virtual groups for caregivers of individuals with memory issues.

When: Various schedules | Cost: FREE

Contact: 800-424-2494 · [email protected]

24/7 ONLINE COMMUNITIES

Family Caregiver Alliance – Online Support Groups

24/7 email-based groups for general caregivers and LGBTQ+ caregivers.

Cost: FREE | Contact: 800-445-8106

Register: https://www.caregiver.org/connecting-caregivers/support-groups/

Senior Planet Caregivers Assemble Community

Free online platform for caregivers to connect 24/7.

Cost: FREE | Contact: 888-713-3495

Register: https://seniorplanet.org/caregiving-for-caregivers/

HELPLINES & RESOURCES

Caregiver Action Network – National Help Desk

When: M-F 8 AM-7 PM ET | Cost: FREE

Contact: (855) 227-3640 · https://www.caregiveraction.org/helpdesk/

MyElderSource Virtual Caregiver Support

Virtual caregiver support group sessions. Contact for schedules.

Contact: (904) 391-6647 · [email protected]

Multnomah County Family Caregiver Support Program

Free trainings, support groups, Memory Café. Contact for schedules.

Contact: (503) 988-8210 · [email protected]

Additional Resources

Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/event-search?category=Support+Groups&format=Virtual

AARP Caregiving: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving

Disclaimer: PeerGalaxy curates peer support, wellness, and community resources. Offerings subject to change – contact providers to confirm. For crisis support, call or text 988, or call 211. In emergency, call 911.

VETERAN SPOUSE NETWORK

Virtual Peer Support Programs — Free, Confidential, Nationally Available

“Facilitating a network of support for military and veteran spouses and families.”

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Platform: Online · Virtual · Phone

Who Can Join: Military and veteran spouses, partners, and family members ages 18+ residing in the United States · Individuals divorced from a service member or veteran are also eligible · Some programs open to all military/veteran-connected individuals

Cost: FREE

Registration: View upcoming sessions and register: https://veteranspousenetwork.org/events/

The Veteran Spouse Network (VSN) offers a suite of free virtual peer support programs built by and for the military and veteran spouse community. From one-on-one peer check-ins to curriculum-driven support groups, social clubs, educational webinars, and a monthly podcast, every program is peer-led, trauma-informed, and designed around your schedule. No clinical referral is required — come as you are.

PEER 2 PEER CONNECT — One-on-One Virtual Peer Support

Day & Time: Flexible — scheduled individually based on your availability

Platform: Online · Virtual

Cost: FREE

Connect directly with a trained VSN Peer Leader for a private, one-on-one virtual session tailored to your needs. After submitting the sign-up form, program staff match you with the leader best suited to support you. Sessions provide a listening ear, validation, and referrals to other programs — completely free and confidential.

Sign Up: https://utexas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eeVR2T4mqQkhgOi

Program Page: https://veteranspousenetwork.org/peer2peer-connect/

VSN SOCIAL CLUB — Peer-Led Virtual Social Groups

Day & Time: Multiple sessions weekly — new clubs added regularly · See Events Calendar

Platform: Online · Virtual (national) · Some in-person options in Texas

Cost: FREE

VSN Social Clubs are flexible, peer-led virtual meet-ups covering topics that matter to the military and veteran spouse community. Recent topics include nutrition and wellness, PTSD and relationships, morning meditation, coffee chats, and community introductions. New clubs are added weekly.

View & Register: https://veteranspousenetwork.org/vsn-social-club/

VETERAN SPOUSE RESILIENCY GROUP (V-SRG) — Curriculum-Driven Peer Support

Day & Time: Ongoing — virtual sessions offered nationally · Sessions run approximately 2 hours · See Events Calendar

Platform: Online · Virtual (national) · In-Person (Texas only)

Cost: FREE

The V-SRG is a structured, peer-led support group built on a six-topic curriculum for military and veteran spouses and partners. Available as a 6-week mini-series, standalone solo sessions, or a wellness series — all virtual offerings are open nationally.

Session Topics: Sharing Our Stories · Taking Care of Ourselves · Invisible Wounds & Suicide Prevention · Compassion Fatigue & Boundary Setting · Love & Relationships · Moving Forward

Register: https://veteranspousenetwork.org/programs/veteran-spouse-resiliency-group/

EMPOWERED — Educational Webinars & Seminars

Day & Time: Ongoing — virtual sessions throughout the year · See Events Calendar

Platform: Online · Virtual

Who Can Join: All military- and veteran-connected individuals ages 18+ in the United States

Cost: FREE

EmpowerEd brings professional educators and speakers to you on topics that matter to military and veteran families — including trauma-informed parenting, PTSD, mental health, career transition, and advocacy.

Register: https://veteranspousenetwork.org/empowered/

VSN PODCAST — On-Demand · Free · Available Anytime

Platform: Online · On-Demand · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify · All major podcast apps

Cost: FREE

The VSN Podcast, hosted by Program Director Hannah O’Brien, features monthly episodes sharing real stories from the military and veteran spouse community. Topics include PTSD, relationships, caregiving, career development, and more. New episodes drop the second Friday of every month. The full archive is available anytime — no login required.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK8F1rvjhLYPaHHerKpzcKY-Ml_SknWFi

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veteran-spouse-network/id1711437721

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5r7q0A67QxFgKv0BdOJth6

HOW TO REACH US

Events Calendar & Registration: https://veteranspousenetwork.org/events/

Peer 2 Peer Connect Sign-Up: https://utexas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eeVR2T4mqQkhgOi

Main Website: https://veteranspousenetwork.org/

Contact: https://veteranspousenetwork.org/contact-us/

Join Mailing List: https://veteranspousenetwork.org/join-our-mailing-list/

WHO WE HELP

• Spouses and committed partners of active-duty service members or veterans
• Family members and caregivers of active-duty service members or veterans
• Individuals divorced from a service member or veteran · Widow/widowers of service members or veterans
• All eligible participants must be ages 18 and up residing in the United States
• EmpowerEd webinars are open to all military- and veteran-connected individuals including providers and supporters

WHAT VSN PROVIDES

• One-on-One Peer Support: Private, confidential virtual sessions matched to your needs
• Virtual Social Groups: Weekly peer-led clubs on wellness, PTSD, relationships, meditation, and more
• Curriculum-Driven Groups: Structured resiliency groups in 6-week, solo-session, and wellness series formats
• Educational Webinars: Professional speakers on mental health, parenting, transitions, and advocacy
• On-Demand Podcast: Monthly episodes — full archive available anytime, no login required
• Peer Leader Network: All programs led by trained fellow military and veteran spouses

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

All Programs: https://veteranspousenetwork.org/programs/

Peer Leader Opportunities: https://veteranspousenetwork.org/peer-leaders/

Suicide Prevention: https://veteranspousenetwork.org/suicideprevention/

Community Resources: https://veteranspousenetwork.org/resources/

ABOUT VETERAN SPOUSE NETWORK

The Veteran Spouse Network (VSN) was founded in January 2015 and is housed within the Institute for Military & Veteran Family Wellness at the University of Texas at Austin, in partnership with the Steve Hicks School of Social Work and the Dell Medical School. VSN facilitates a research-informed, peer-led community of support for military and veteran spouses, partners, and families nationwide.

DISCLAIMER

Information is shared solely as a courtesy. All VSN programs are free and confidential. VSN Peer Leaders are not licensed counselors, therapists, or medical professionals — peer support is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment, legal advice, or emergency services. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For mental health emergencies, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).

AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group

Private Facebook community providing 24/7 peer support and connection for family caregivers. Over 15,000 members sharing experiences, resources, and strategies for caring for loved ones.

When: Ongoing 24/7 access | Cost: FREE

Format: Online Facebook community | Who: Family caregivers of all types

Contact: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/

About This Community:

The AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group is a private, supportive Facebook community for anyone providing care to a family member or loved one. Whether you’re caring for aging parents, a spouse with chronic illness, or other family members, this community offers 24/7 access to peer support from others who understand the caregiving journey.

What Members Share:

• Practical caregiving tips and strategies
• Emotional support and encouragement
• Resources and recommendations
• Personal experiences and solutions
• Questions and answers from fellow caregivers
• Information about community resources

Who Should Join:

This community welcomes all family caregivers, including those caring for individuals with:

• Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
• Chronic illnesses
• Disabilities
• Age-related conditions
• Recovery from surgery or illness
• Any other caregiving situations

How to Join:

Visit https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/ to learn more about AARP’s caregiving resources and find the link to request to join the Facebook community. The group is private, so you’ll need to request membership.

Disclaimer: PeerGalaxy curates peer support and community resources. Offerings subject to change – contact providers to confirm. Online communities are not a substitute for professional medical advice or care. For crisis support, call or text 988, or call 211. In emergency, call 911.

Families Anonymous Virtual Groups

Different Times, Days & Special Topics

Meetings Directory including Virtual Meetings in the USA & International & Niche

Visit this link to review offerings: https://familiesanonymous.org/meetings/meeting-directories/

What is Families Anonymous?

Families Anonymous celebrated our 50th Anniversary in 2021. We were formed in 1971 by a group of concerned parents in California who were seeking ways of dealing with the problem of substance abuse and addiction in their children. Our members include parents, grandparents, siblings, spouses, significant others, other family members and friends of those with a current, suspected or former drug problem. We have been one of the best kept secrets in the recovery community, even though we have groups throughout the world.

Families Anonymous is a 12 Step fellowship for the families and friends who have known a feeling of desperation concerning the destructive behavior of someone very near to them, whether caused by drugs, alcohol, or related behavioral problems. When you come into our rooms you are no longer alone, but among friends who have experienced similar problems. Any concerned person is encouraged to attend our meetings, even if there is only a suspicion of a problem.

Your identity is protected in our meetings. We know each other by our first names only. Anonymity of our members is paramount to the success of our program. Not only is anonymity an underlying principle of the program, but it is so important that it is part of our name.

You have nothing to lose but your pain and anger. Read on if you are ready to find the peace and serenity that our members have found through the working of the FA program.

The Fentanyl Fight

(Poisoning and Overdose Awareness, Prevention and Support)

Families and Friends Fighting Against Fentanyl

Use the Link Below To Join

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Group rules from the admins

1. Be kind and courteous

2. No hate speech or bullying

3. No promotions or spam

4. Respect everyone’s Privacy