Parenting can feel like an impossible job even when everything goes as planned. But parents of kids with special needs have additional challenges: needing to become an expert in your child’s disability; managing in the face of logistical, physical, and emotional complications; learning how to advocate for your child and your family; functioning with even less time to yourself; and often feeling isolated from other parents. I wanted to offer this group because I have experienced how the potential for burnout is especially high for hardworking parents who’ve had to sacrifice a lot to care for their families. Finding an inner spark and fostering creativity is one way to lift burnout; connecting with other parents dealing with similar challenges is another.

Is this a support group? A writing group?

Yes! I am a therapist, and I am a writer. In the groups I run, I make use of both. We combine creative spark, steady encouragement to write, and, most importantly, the camaraderie of people with whom you have something important in common. The mutual support from parents in our two previous sessions was palpable. Writing experience or ambition is not necessary. The only thing you need is the desire to be real with yourself on the page, and to be interested in spending time with other parents who have the same desire.

What will the group feel like?

My intention is to provide a space for parents to be able to refuel by both looking within, and connecting out to others. While it’s likely some will want to write about hard things, my aim is that this group is something you’ll look forward to. The vibe is friendly, warm, encouraging, fun. There’s enough heavy difficulty in the world, and in the care you provide. This group is to help counter that. (I also bring snacks. :))

How will it work?

The group will meet on Wednesday mornings (10 - 11:30) for six weeks at the Whole Children offices at Village Hill in Northampton, MA, starting on October 1. The cost is $50 (due to Whole Children) for the six week program. (Scholarships are available.)

We’ll start each session with a five minute warm-up prompt, which will give us the chance to see where we are, and what each writer is bringing to the group that day. After hearing from everyone who’d like to share what they wrote, I will offer a framework for the day’s main writing exercise. It could be a piece of artwork, an artifact from nature, a comedy clip, a poem, a movie scene, a paragraph from a piece of fiction. We will then write for about 30 minutes. Participants will have a chance to read from what they wrote, and receive encouraging feedback from the group. If there’s time, we will have a brief closing prompt, as well.

How do I sign up?

Click here to sign up at the Whole Children website. And feel free to get in touch with me with any questions at my sign-up, below!