Parenting a young child can feel like living inside a beautiful contradiction. You get to witness someone you love become more themselves every day, and you also carry the weight of every hard moment, every worry, every time you weren't sure what to do next. If that sounds familiar, the Connected Parenting group in Carlsbad was designed with you in mind.

This therapist-led parenting support group is open to parents of children ages 4 to 8. It meets weekly on Tuesdays from 10 am to 11:30 am. Sessions are $95 per family.

What This Group Offers

Connected Parenting is a confidential group where you can show up honestly. You'll have space to talk through the hard parts of parenting alongside other caregivers who get it, guided by a child development expert who can help you make sense of what you're seeing and feeling.

The group is structured around three things: community, practical tools, and real information you can actually use.

A place to feel less alone.

Parenting can be isolating, especially when things aren't going well. This group gives you a space to share what's actually happening at home, hear what others are navigating, and feel supported by people who are in it with you.

Evidence-based strategies, tailored to your child.

There's no shortage of parenting advice online, but a lot of it is generic, contradictory, or hard to apply. This group cuts through the noise with practical, research-backed tools that you can adapt to your child's temperament and your family's needs.

Skills you'll build and keep.

Each session is semi-structured to give you a clear takeaway, not just an open conversation. You'll leave with strategies you can put to use right away.

Topics Covered

• Managing tantrums and difficult behavior
• Emotion regulation for kids (and parents)
• Discipline approaches and healthy limit-setting
• Building resilience and self-esteem
• Strengthening the parent-child connection
• Social skills development
• Empathy and compassion-building
• Managing sibling rivalry
• Screen time boundaries
• Navigating transitions and building routines
• Parent wellness and self-care
• Building consistency across caregivers

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this group therapy or a parenting class?

It's both, in the best way. Connected Parenting blends the support of a therapy group with the practical structure of a skills-based class. You'll have room to process and share, and you'll also leave each session with concrete tools.

Do both parents need to attend?

Only one parent or caregiver needs to attend, though both are welcome. The cost is per family, regardless of how many caregivers join.

My child is 4 (or 8). Is this still a good fit?

Yes. The group is designed for parents of children in the 4–8 age range, so the strategies and conversations will be relevant whether your child is just starting this phase or wrapping it up.

How is this different from reading a parenting book?

The group gives you something a book can't: a live, responsive conversation with a clinician and other parents. You can ask questions specific to your situation, get real-time feedback, and feel less alone in the process.

Feeling nervous is completely normal

Most people feel some hesitation before their first group—especially if they’ve never done group therapy before.

If you’re worried you’ll say the wrong thing, feel awkward, or not know what to say, you’re not alone. You can start by listening, share at your own pace, and let trust build gradually.

• You don’t have to share everything right away

• You will never be forced to talk before you’re ready

• The therapists help guide the process and keep the space respectful

• Most people leave feeling relieved they came

How to get started

Step 1: Request a free Group Fit Call
Step 2: We’ll answer questions and make sure it’s a good fit
Step 3: If it feels right, we’ll meet for the intake session ($95) to get started.

Ready to take the next step?
✅ Request your free Group Fit Call below.

Day & Time: Tuesdays 10 AM - 11:30 AM

Cost: $95 per session. We would much rather you be here than have cost be a barrier. A sliding scale is available—please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re interested in joining the group.

Location: Vista Office (1800 Thibodo Road, #110). Our office is just south of the Mar Vista exit, so no stop lights after getting off the 78 and easy access if you are coming north on Melrose.

Type: Semi-structured Psychoeducational Group, Ongoing

Members: Maximum of ten participants, minimum of five.

Led by Licensed Psychologist: C. Julieta Aguilera Rice, PhD

Meet the Leader

Dr. Aguilera Rice is a Licensed Psychologist at Coastal Therapy Group's Vista office. She earned her PhD in School and Applied Child Psychology from McGill University and completed advanced training at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Children's Hospital Orange County. Her clinical work centers on children, families, and the relationships between them — helping parents and kids move through transitions, conflict, and disconnection toward something more resilient. She's trilingual (English, Spanish, and French) and brings a warm, culturally grounded approach to everything she does.