Description: In this 6-week virtual counseling group, we embrace the beautiful intersections that come with parenting LGBTQI+ and neurospicy/neurodivergent youth. Our counseling group is a safe space for caregivers, whether your child or teen is diagnosed, self-diagnosed, and/or exploring these various aspects of their identity. We extend a warm invitation to all caregivers who are navigating these ways to support their children/teens with these intersecting identities.

Each week the group will have focused content each to learn, share and gain insight alongside our trained facilitators and group members, all who have lived experience. We will gather feedback over an initial survey and during our first session around the pressing questions, concerns and hopes of the group so that we can address them during our time together.

Questions? Reach out to clara@mentecounseling.com or call us at 206-717-3990.

About Tiered Pricing: We offer tiered pricing to center equitable access to our services. We use this model to intentionally support the redistribution of resources across the financial spectrum in our community. While acknowledging that everyone has a unique and complex relationship to money and wealth, we invite you to consider what rate aligns with your experience. You can explore the self-assessment questionsshared by AORTA to support in your consideration around what level to pay. We also offer pay-what-you-can rates based on need. Please let us know if you cannot afford our listed rates.

Our rates are specifically modeled on the tiers from AORTA program rates and based on the economic justice framework for sliding scales by Alexis J. Cunningfolk.

• Redistribution – Pay to distribute resources equitably. Support in redistributing income for social and economic equity in our communities. This allows us to support access to mental health services across the financial spectrum.
• Full Cost – Pay full rate. Support paying our therapists a proper wage and cover the administration and preparation costs for our sessions. Full cost supports scholarships for families who cannot afford to pay the full fee for services.
• Sustain – Pay basic costs. Support paying our therapists a proper wage and the sustainability of offering this model
• Solidarity – Pay to participate. We welcome everyone in our community and offer this solidarity rate based on financial need. Money should not be a barrier to participation.
• Pay-What-You-Can. We also offer pay-what-you-can rates based on need. Reach out to us if you are interested in this option.

Schedule:

• Dates: Mondays starting 9/23 - 10/28
• Time: 4:30-6:00 PM PST (Pacific Standard Time)
• Location: Virtual (Over Zoom Meeting)

Rates:

• Redistribution - $495 ($82.5/session)
• Full Cost - $330 ($55/session)
• Sustain - $247.50 ($41.25/session)
• Solidarity - $165 ($27.5/session)

More Information

🔍 Diagnosed, Self-Diagnosed, Exploring: All Are Welcome
We understand that the journey of self-discovery and identity is unique for every youth. Whether your child has an official diagnosis, is in the process of self-discovery, or simply exploring their identity, you are welcomed to join us. Each family's path is distinct.

🌶️ Neurospicy: A Term Embracing Neurodiversity
In the spirit of celebration and inclusivity, we proudly use the term "neurospicy" to describe the beautiful spectrum of the neurodivergent community. "Spicy" captures the dynamic experiences within the neurodivergent spectrum, honoring the richness that each person brings to the table. This term is particularly significant for those whose identities may have been dismissed as "mild" autism and allows us to highlight the depth of their experiences. We honor however your child may identify within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and within their neurospiciness.

💬 Benefits of Group Counseling
Participating in our group offers a multitude of advantages, such as:

• Empowerment Through Sharing: Gain valuable insights and strategies to empower and uplift your neurospicy and LGBTQI+ youth.
• Insight and Skill Building: Learn from our counselors and group members valuable tools and strategies to better support your neurospicy and LGBTQI+ youth.
• Mutual Support: Form meaningful connections, where your child’s and families’ journey, regardless of diagnosis, is acknowledged and understood.

🌟 Why Join Our Counseling Group?
Parenting a neurospicy and LGBTQI+ child/teen is a dynamic and evolving experience, especially in a society that harms and stigmatizes these young people.

In our group, we honor the individual stories that make each family special. Whether you are seeking guidance, sharing your experiences, or looking to connect with others who understand your unique circumstances – this counseling group provides a safe and nurturing space where caregivers can come together. Here, everyone is invited to share, learn, and grow together.

About the Facilitators

Ash Warren, LICSW has over 20 years of experience in the field of behavioral health. This group is personal to him as both a neurospicy queer trans man and a parent of a gender diverse neurospicy school-age kid.

Clara Rosebrock is a clinical intern and therapist for children and adolescents at Mente. She is passionate about this group in her work supporting gender diverse and neurospicy youth, and personally as a queer woman, and sister to her autistic brother.