We offer peer-to-peer support for parents whose teens and young adults are dealing with mental health issues. Attend one of our three monthly virtual meetings and discover a caring and comforting community.
Upcoming Support Groups
Parents of Teens
Monthly Parent Support Groups
(All meetings are virtual except 2/1/2026)
Sundays: 1:00PM - 3:00PM
Next Meeting Dates (click date to register)
Feb 1 (in-person) Mar 1 Apr 12 May 3 June 7
Saturdays: 2:00PM - 4:00PM (Virtual)
Next Meeting Dates (click date to register):
Parents of Older Teens and Young Adults (18 to 38 years)
Monthly Parent Support Group
Tuesdays: 7:00PM - 9:00PM
Virtual (online)
Next Meeting Dates (click date to register):
We usually suggest a $10 donation for Family Sanity Meetings to help cover our administrative costs. Please contact founder Lisa Scimens to request financial assistance lisascimens@gmail.com.
Family Sanity is truly a volunteer run organization. Our facilitators, our parent coach, and our founder all work without compensation. Our operating costs have increased dramatically this year, so please donate whatever you can.
To donate via check, contact founder Lisa Scimens at lisascimens@gmail.com for the mailing address.
Parenting Blogs
Motherhood is like being an archer
by Spicy Soul Mama
This December, I celebrated my birthday the whole month. I leaned into the vibration of what it means to be a Sagittarius and the symbolism of the archer. Interestingly, I was born in a month that is the darkest one of the year. Maybe that’s why I’m on a journey to self-discovery and why I write the topics I do, to find the light within the darkness.
You don’t have to be a Sagittarius to embrace the symbolic archer.
You can aim like an archer, pulling back on the bow and pausing like preparation. Directing that preparation towards love, peace within, purpose, courage, and renewal with so much self-compassion that it’s annoying how much you care about your heart.
From Our Founder
Does your teen or young adult vape? Are they addicted to pot, in your opinion? If they use marijuana, do they buy it from a dispensary or on the street? Does it matter where they get it?
In my family, I have two nephews who became psychotic (and bi-polar one) from using drugs. After getting the psychosis under control, it reactivated when they smoked pot. One has been schizophrenic for several years now. Yes, we do have mental health problems in my family, but was it marijuana that caused the problems?
Our January 20th meeting is dedicated to understanding cannabis and psychosis.
Guest speaker Dr. Alexis Spalding, PsyD CADC-I, will explain how brain chemistry is affected by cannabis. Since today’s marijuana is much stronger than in the 60’s and 70’s, she’ll let us know how that is an important factor in the situation. There will also be discussion on the perennial question, “Is Cannabis addictive?”
Parenting Solutions for Every Stage
Sarah MacKay Lynch, M.A.
At Family Sanity, we get it--parenting a complex teen or young adult is tough. Whether you're navigating daily conflict, substance use, or a slow path to independence...
There is help. And there is hope.
Most parents want to:
✔ Worry less
✔ Feel more connected to their teen or young adult
✔ Reduce daily conflict
✔ Empower their child to manage their life
The change we want starts with us. Together, we create clear strategies to help you parent with more confidence and calm,.
Ways We Can Work Together:
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1:1 Parent Coaching
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Laser Group Coaching Sessions
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Support Groups
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Parenting Book Club
Let’s Talk.
📧 Email: sarahmackaycoaching@gmail.com
🌐 Schedule a FREE 25-minute consultation
Do you need to talk to someone ASAP?
Caregiving isn’t easy.
Providing care to someone with a mental health condition comes with unique challenges: Seeing someone you love in pain, navigating red tape through confusing systems, fighting stigma and myths about mental illness, and advocating for your loved one when no one else will.
To be a caregiver is to practice resilience, strength, and compassion, braving challenge after challenge. With the new NAMI Family Caregiver HelpLine, you can find support rooted in lived experience and designed to help you access resources and find hope. If nothing else feels easy, finding experienced support can be. Take a moment today to connect with the NAMI Family Caregiver HelpLine available Monday through Friday, 7am to 7pm Pacific.
Call: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or Text: 62640
https://www.nami.org/support-education/nami-helpline/family-caregiver-helpline/
Testimonials
"Family Sanity has been a lifesaver for me raising 2 teenagers and now young adults as a single mom. I don’t have a great support system, and my siblings / acquaintances really have no idea about raising neuro-divergent kids."