Workshops

In an intimate and comfortable home environment, you will learn all you need to support pregnant and postpartum parents. If you walked into the Institute with any discomfort about the topic, you’ll leave feeling at ease! You’ll enjoy discussions in a completely non-judgmental and open atmosphere. We’ll provide suggestions and have plenty of Q and A about how to approach new parents and what you want to avoid. What to ask, watch and listen for as you interact with them, the nuances you can recognize (not taught anywhere else) will be gleaned through presentation of various scenarios and role play. You will gain new insights and ideas about how to bring this new understanding into your lives and workplaces. Whatever you’d like to bring to your community or into your practice will be focused on in depth, and we’ll end the Institute with these exciting action steps.

One of the unique benefits to participants of our institute is getting together for this wonderful event in person. We encourage all who can to meet in Jane’s living room for this special weekend. Never before have we offered PAI virtually, but because of the times, we decided to make this an option. We look forward to welcoming you whether in person or virtually!

As a graduate of the Parental Action Institute, you’ll also be eligible to join our follow-up calls. We’ll announce when the calls will be at the end of our time together on Sunday.

Most PAI workshops will be held in Santa Barbara. However, individuals are encouraged to invite the Institute to be held in their own communities. Certain criteria apply. Please ask the faculty if you’re interested in this option.

Interested in attending a workshop? Register now!

“PAI was wonderful, informative, interesting, and fun! As a doula and postpartum educator preparing for an MSW, PAI was a perfect combination of relevant educational and motivational that helped me to put into action a more concise plan for my future! Highly recommended!”

Kimberly Zuleger
PPD group leader, doula, graduate student in social work

Our Vision

PAI’s vision is to motivate every community to create a support network for new families through grassroots action.

Workshop Goals:

  • Explore the fundamentals of PPD and how to feel comfortable with the topic.
  • Be able to empower parents to help themselves by creating personalized wellness plans.
  • Understand why the old, traditional therapy guidelines often do not apply when working with new parents.
  • Learn out-of-the-box questions to ask new parents which can determine if they are depressed.
  • Know what to do/not do, say/not say to the partners and other close family and friends.
  • Learn to listen and see nuanced expressions from both the new mom and dad that will help you provide more effective support.
  • Gain insight into the often unrevealed self-talk of new parents.
  • Learn how to build a supportive community for new families.
  • Acquire the most effective treatments and expose those that often make depression and anxiety worse.
  • Receive individual consultation, if requested.

Individuals who should attend include, but are not limited to:

  • Mental health professionals beginning to focus their practices on perinatal mental health
  • Community leaders and activists
  • New parent group leaders
  • Seasoned professionals
  • Pregnancy and postpartum depression group leaders
  • Parent advocates interested in developing community support
  • Lactation consultants
  • Neonatal care professionals
  • Doulas
  • Midwives
  • Faith community leaders
  • Child development and daycare professionals
  • Labor and delivery nurses and all related medical professionals
  • Students and recent graduates

Availability is limited, please register now to attend!

Upcoming Workshops

Parental Action Institute is now a ONE DAY Workshop from 9 AM to 4 PM

Gather a group and set a custom date for your workshop. Fully customizable and hybrid options are available. Please contact Jane for more details.

March 9, 2024

Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Learn more and sign up!


All workshops are held in a private home located between the mountains and the ocean in Goleta (near the University of California and airport) west of downtown Santa Barbara. Nursing babies are welcome. Please note that lodging is not included. If you prefer, you can attend the workshop through Zoom.

For questions, contact Jane at [email protected] or Shoshana at [email protected].

What our graduates say

  • "The Institute was wonderful and I had a great time meeting other maternal mental health advocates. It was comfortable and welcoming and I was glad I got a chance to participate!"

    -Lisa A., Executive Coach

  • "Thank you Jane and Dr. Shoshana, the PAI training is incredibly informative in an relaxed, safe and intimate setting. I believe this training is truly unique."

    -S. Jensen, Marriage and Family Therapist

  • "I left the PAI workshop feeling empowered to make positive change in my community. Having continued access to Jane and Dr. Shosh – true thought leaders and pioneers in this field – is extremely valuable."

    -Laura K., Parent Advocate

  • "This is by far the best training that I’ve attended in my professional career because of the intimate setting, and the closeness that Jane and Shoshana create. It’s wonderful to learn from two women who are so open about their experiences, and who have been supporting moms for so many years. I left feeling confident in my ability to provide support to moms in my community, and with specific ideas and support around how to do so. I highly recommend this training to anyone considering working in Maternal Mental Health."

    -A. Taverner, Marriage and Family Therapist

  • "Jane and Dr. Shosh came to our fledgling Connecticut chapter of Postpartum Support International to help us with "next steps" in our development and to mentor us in our care of perinatal families. One word: AMAZING! Another: WARM! Finally: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!"

    -Sharon T.

  • "This workshop definitely increased my confidence in operating a successful support group in my area. I was reminded of all the community connections I can draw upon and have been encouraged to really evaluate the personal needs of my community. Jane and Shoshana make for a fun, relaxed and intimate learning environment. I left feeling inspired and confident. Thank you both!"

    -R. Ivison

  • "Such an amazing opportunity to train with two pioneers in this field! After this two day training I am READY to begin my own support group and do this good work!"

    -C. Ospina

  • "This weekend was a deeply moving personal experience. I feel that I developed a stronger mission for my goals and also was able to connect my shared experience with like-minded souls. I strongly recommend PAI to anyone considering working in this field."

    -R. Irish

  • "Jane and Shoshana brought different strengths that complimented each other, and they were fun to be around! Throughout the weekend I grew as a person and developed a plan that will merge my personal passions and professional goals. I recommend this experience wholeheartedly!"

    -Ann L.

  • "It was a powerful experience to learn from two such inspiring leaders in the field. Each brought tremendous passion, knowledge, and understanding to the group."

    -J. Masse

  • "This was a tremendous opportunity to learn from two movers-and-shakers in the field of postpartum support—women whose work stems from their own experiences. I left feeling more empowered and able to reach out to moms who are struggling."

    M. Gordon

  • "Having the one-on-one time on Sunday to address participants’ individual goals and questions was key to making sure each one left with ideas and solutions."

    Alina H.

  • "It was awesome! I felt empowered and inspired, and came away with new plans and the confidence to pursue them. The content and pace were perfect- individualized and results - focused but not exhausting. I felt my passions had crystallized into a workable plan. I felt very encouraged/ inspired by my fellow participants."

    -A. Litwinski

  • "Interacting with such strong women was inspirational. It was great to meet people from different backgrounds with one common goal. The environment was so welcoming and supportive and the educational component was even more helpful than I had expected."

    -Jenni M.

  • “Great to be a participant!”

    -J. Moyer

  • "PAI was an incredible weekend, filled with authentic support, witnessing, brain-storming and relating. The weekend flowed beautifully with a balance of learning, sharing and self care. The group was small, intimate and provided space to explore each individual’s goals and means to attain them. There was beautiful chemistry and space to share experiences and differences. PAI was an incredible weekend, filled with authentic support, witnessing, brain-storming and relating. It is a rare opportunity to connect and evolve."

    -Lisa H.

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