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2SLGBTQIA+ Mental Health Groups
These neurodivergence-affirming groups are designed for 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and allies.
Non-status Indigenous community members attend for free or pay-what-you-can
Join us on Tuesday, April 22nd for
Gender Joy: Online Peer Support
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What is the group about?
This peer support group is led by Anja Hess, RCC, and Mandy Woelfle and offers a space for Two Spirit, trans, nonbinary, gender creative and questioning community members to connect. Be validated in your gender experience and receive evidence-based support specific to your journey.
This community of practice centres around connecting and exploring. It also includes education and skill development.
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Is it covered by insurance?
Perhaps. Participation may be covered by insurance if yours includes services by an RCC. Suggested donation per session is $20-$40 and pay-what-you-can for Indigenous participants. If cost is a barrier, please let us know you’re interested.
We ask that participants commit to attending most sessions to the best of their ability.
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What are the details?
WHEN: We’ll meet virtually Tuesdays from 6:30-8pm from April 22nd-May 27th.
WHERE: This group will take place virtually over a Zoom video-call. All members will need a private space with a stable internet connection and a journal to participate. Please be in touch about access concerns.
WHO: Two Spirit, trans, gender nonconforming, gender creative, and gender questioning individuals who want to be part of a group.
FACILITATORS: Anja Hess, RCC 18489 and Mandy Woelfle
Join us on Wednesday, April 2nd for:
Skills for Social Confidence!
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What is the group about?
This feminist group offers a neurodivergence-affirming space to 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and allies. Learn skills to build your social confidence and manage social anxiety with others who are in the same boat!
Social anxiety may be more common than you think. In this group, you can expect to feel validated and learn skills that can help you navigate things such as social stressors, rejection sensitivity, anxiety, access needs, making friends, maintaining relationships, and more.
This is mostly a skills-based group and there will be space to connect with other participants. You may even make a new friend or two!
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Is it covered by insurance?
Perhaps. Participation may be covered by insurance if yours includes services by an RCC. The fee for the full series is $200-300 and pay-what-you-can for Indigenous participants. If cost is a barrier, please still reach out.
We ask that participants commit to the full 5-week series and attend at least 4 sessions to the best of their ability.
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What are the details?
WHEN: We’ll meet virtually Wednesdays from 2:30-4pm April 2nd-April 30th.
WHERE: This group will take place virtually over a Zoom video-call. All members will need a private space with a stable internet connection and a journal to participate. Please be in touch about any access concerns.
WHO: 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and allies who want neurodivergence-affirming support around social anxiety.
FACILITATORS: Anja Hess, RCC 18489 and Alyx Monteith
Join us on Friday, March 7th for Calm Corner!
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What is the group about?
This group offers a neurodivergence-affirming space to 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and allies. Learn how to ride the waves of stress and anxiety with like-minded people!
Stress and anxiety can impact your thinking patterns, emotions, and somatic (physical) experiences. We will learn how to manage stress and anxiety with various tools, skills, and activities.
There will also be space to connect with others who are on a similar journey. This group is mainly based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which includes elements of mindfulness.
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Is it covered by insurance?
Maybe! Participation may be covered by insurance if yours includes services by an RCC. The fee for the full series is $240-360 and pay-what-you-can for Indigenous participants. If cost is a barrier, please still reach out.
We ask that participants commit to the full 6-week series and attend at least 5 sessions to the best of their ability.
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What are the details?
WHEN: We’ll meet virtually Fridays from 4:00-5:30pm March 7th-April 25th. We’re skipping April 18th, as it’s a holiday.
WHERE: This group will take place virtually over a Zoom video-call. All members will need a private space with a stable internet connection to participate.
WHO: 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and allies who want neurodivergence-affirming support around stress and anxiety in a group setting.
FACILITATORS: Anja Hess, RCC 18489, Bronwyn Lawrence, and Alyx Monteith
Meet your facilitators
Bronwyn Lawrence, Senior Intern
She/Her
Bronwyn is a settler on Lekwungen Territory and she is about to graduate with a masters in Counselling Psychology from the University of Victoria. Bronwyn is excited to bring her vision into reality by offering neurodivergence- and 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming groups. Bronwyn enjoys offering anti-oppressive, playful tools to clients of all ages since therapy is allowed to be fun!
As a new practitioner of Feminist Therapy, Bronwyn is relational and consent-focused.
Alyx Monteith, Senior Intern
She/Her
Alyx is a settler on Lekwungen Territory. She is in the final months of her masters in Counselling Psychology degree at the University of Victoria and brings a passion for mindfulness, with a background in therapeutic yoga. Alyx brings a non-judgemental approach to mental health support so you can learn how to feel better in the moment and expand that feeling to other parts of your life authentically.
As a new practitioner of Feminist Therapy, Alyx’s approach to mental health is compassion-focused and relational.
Anja Hess, RCC #18489
She/He/They
Anja is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a background in feminist therapy and anti-oppressive trauma recovery. With over 16 years experience facilitating groups, Anja has enjoyed co-facilitating process and educational groups including yoga therapy for eating disorders, building skills for social anxiety, therapeutic expressive arts for self-esteem and confidence, and cancer support.
“Healing and learning in groups is more powerful than anything we can accomplish alone. Indigenous ways of knowing, western research, and my personal experiences as both a facilitator and participant in therapeutic groups all carry the wisdom that we are stronger in community. I look forward to leading us in creating a secure, empowering space and being part of a group with you!”
