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Childfree: Yes or No?

Childfree: Yes or No?

A closed group setting to explore and navigate one of the biggest decisions you may ever take.

Take this quiz  if you feel undecided about wanting children


Only 1 spot left!

Starts 15th February, 2025

4 Zoom sessions | Every Saturday 10:30 AM IST | 75 minutes

Confidential | Small group, 6-8 people

Group Type: Decision Focused Group

Includes 3 Free Peer Calls*

Led by Therapist Veena Hari

Program Fee - INR 2960 (26% off) (India) | USD 80 (Outside India) | Limited-time special offer!

View full details

Goals of the group

To parent or to not parent. That is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. This group is a safe place for those who aren't sure whether they want to have kids, or not. The discussions will help you explore your own thought process. Realistically, you'll not reach a decision in 4 weeks but will have the tools to get started.

Who is the group for?

Anybody who finds themselves juggling these thoughts - men, women, non-binary, single, married, and partnered people.

“I’m afraid of losing my partner because he wants kids, and I don’t know what I want. I think I don’t want them.”
“I’m afraid of losing my identity, freedom, and comfort if I have children. Afraid of regretting it if I don’t.”
“I’ve always wanted to have a baby, but is it even ethical, knowing the environmental and political climate?”
“I need some peace and clarity from the torture of sitting on the fence for too long.”

Glimpse of the regime

Session 1: Understanding Context

• Exploring briefly the narrative around childfree and how it has evolved over time.
• Introduction to concepts like pronatalism, antinatalism and the media around the choice of being child free.
• Reflecting on how societal standards and pressure has impacted the individual narrative.
• Disentangling your desire from that of other people and the larger society: What’s yours, and what’s theirs?

Session 2: Individual Exploration

• Exploring individual narratives of what it means to be child free
• Becoming conscious of your fears - fears around becoming a parent (e.g., fears of being a bad parent, feeling overwhelmed, losing your independence) as well as fears around choosing not to be a parent (e.g., fears of future regret, being alone in old age).
• Identifying related past trauma if any (e.g., abuse as a child)

Session 3: Relationships

• Sharing the challenges and experiences of romantic relationships through the lens of being child free
• Navigating familial relationships around the choice of being childfree

Session 4: Coping

• Pooling resources to create positive counter-narratives of being child free
• Processing thoughts and emotions that may be hard to share or understand (e.g., guilt over not wanting to have children)
• Exploring strategies and steps after your decision has been made (e.g., having conversations with family and friends; finding medical professionals; finding adoption resources)
• Getting social support
• Drawing boundaries with those who aren’t supportive

Learn from us & from each other

  • Honestly, this session was great and after sharing it with our friends lots of people want to explore something similar.

    Kartik

    Truly confused

  • For the very first time found the validation that being confused is okay. Gave me confidence and understanding to start an objective conversation with my family.

    Ranjana

    Career-oriented jet setter

  • Loved my peers and the discussion. Veena is a star.

    Charvi

    Would want kids if I were a guy

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Meet your Facilitator

Veena Hari

Veena Hari is a Mental Health Practitioner with around 10 years of experience across the mental health and development sector. She is the founder of Bhavati Foundation, a not for profit organization working on reproductive mental health in India and host of the Mothering podcast. She describes herself as a passionate feminist and is a mother to a three and a half year old.

Veena specializes in facilitating thoughtful discussions around the choice to go childfree, drawing on her extensive experience of guiding group participants through this personal decision. She provides balanced, non-judgmental support to help participants explore their values, concerns, and expectations in a safe, reflective environment.

FAQs

What are SoulUp Groups?

At SoulUp, you'll meet people who get what you're going through and might be living some of the same realities. People looking for extraordinary conversations, just like you.

✔️ Small group, 6-8 people

✔️ Every meeting led by a world-class facilitator

✔️ Weekly 75-minute online video sessions

How is confidentiality maintained in Groups?

Confidentiality in Support Groups is maintained using secure meeting links and enabling waiting rooms to control participant access. Participants are bound by mutual confidentiality clause within the group. and sessions are not recorded without explicit consent.

Are Group sessions done on video?

Yes, all group sessions are conducted on video via Zoom.

While participants are allowed to use pseudonyms - they need to be on video to make the most of the session.

What is SoulUp's refund policy on Groups?

1. After you have registered for the group and you'd like to opt out:
- Full refund if you cancel 30 days before the group start date.
- 50% refund if you cancel 16-30 days before the group start date.
- No refund if you cancel 0-15 days before the group start date.

2. If SoulUp cancels a group, we will refund the entire signup fee.

3. If SoulUp reschedules a group by more than 2 weeks, we will inform you and give you an option to opt out and get a full refund.

4. SoulUp reserves the right to remove participants from a group if found unsuitable to the group. In such cases participants are given the option of claiming the pro-rata amount left as a refund or using it for another service on SoulUp.

Can I use multiple discounts while signing up for a group?

You can use only 1 type discount while signing up for a group. Cash backs cannot be coupled with discounts either.

* Are FREE Peer calls available to everyone who signs-up for this group?

You can book 3 Peer calls for FREE as part of signing up for this group.

Please note: This is only available to first-time participants of a SoulUp group (those trying a SoulUp group for the first time).

How long has SoulUp been around?

SoulUp was founded in 2022 by Punita Mittal and Mahak Maheshwari - a team of IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay with more than 20 years of combined healthcare experience. SoulUp is redefining mental health through groups that are not only effective but also fun, social, and challenging.

Find multiple groups relevant? Bundle up & save!

Save on 2 Groups

What you get:

  1. Sign up for ANY 2 SoulUp groups (except for those priced INR 4000 or more)
  2. For users in India, price of 2 group pack is INR 5500 (instead of INR 7000)
  3. For users outside India, price of 2 group pack is INR 8000 (instead of INR 10,000)
  4. Valid for 6 months: Book slots in any 2 groups within 6 months once you purchase the pack.
Get for 20% off  

Save on 3 Groups

What you get:

  1. Sign up for ANY 3 SoulUp groups (except for those priced INR 4000 or more)
  2. For users in India, price of 3 group pack is INR 7500 (instead of INR 10,500)
  3. For users outside India, price of 3 group pack is INR 11,500 (instead of INR 15,000)
  4. Valid for 12 months: Book slots in any 3 groups within 12 months once you purchase the pack.
Get for 30% off  

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To parent or to not parent. That is the question.

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More about Support Groups & Therapy Groups:

1. What is an online therapy or support group?

Online therapy groups or support groups are structured, therapist-led sessions where participants gather virtually to discuss and work on specific mental health or personal growth topics.

These groups offer a supportive environment and help members learn coping strategies and relevant techniques from the therapist. Participants offer each other encouragement, share advice, and provide emotional support, helping one another feel less isolated.

2. What benefits can I expect from joining an online therapy group or support group?

Participants in online therapy groups often experience improved mental health, a greater sense of connection, and enhanced coping skills. Group therapy provides structured guidance from a therapist, which can lead to valuable insights and personal growth.

3. How does online group therapy compare to one-on-one therapy?

One-on-one therapy is personalized, focusing solely on your needs, which can be ideal for in-depth, private work with a therapist.

Online group therapy, however, offers a sense of community and shared experience. In addition to learning from the therapist, members get to connect with others facing similar challenges. Group settings provide diverse perspectives and reduce isolation, which participants find valuable.

4. Are online groups effective?

Yes, studies show that online groups can be as effective as in-person groups. The online format provides convenience and accessibility while offering the same structured therapeutic benefits, especially for those who prefer the comfort of their home environment.

5. Will I have to share my personal journey in the group?

Sharing is encouraged but never forced. Participants are free to share only what they feel comfortable with, and many find that opening up gradually is natural and helpful for their own growth.

6. How do online therapy groups or support groups handle difficult emotions that arise?

The therapist leading the group is trained to manage challenging emotions. They provide tools and strategies for coping, helping participants process feelings safely.

7. Can I attend online therapy groups if I’m already in individual therapy?

Yes, many people find that group therapy superbly complements individual therapy, providing additional insights and social support, thus accelerating their healing. Also, users often join group therapy for a topic that they are not focusing on in their individual therapy sessions. Often, therapists themselves recommend their clients to group therapy for a specific area of their life.

8. How do I know if a support group is right for me?

If you’re looking for shared experiences and emotional support rather than structured therapeutic guidance, a support group may be ideal. Otherwise, consider a therapy group for a more structured approach.

You can also join more than one group if you feel it will benefit you, especially if each group focuses on a different aspect of your mental health journey.