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Groups & Educational Workshops
At AMCS, we believe some of life’s most significant growth happens in the company of peers who truly understand where you are. Our community offerings bring individuals and families together in small, intentional settings to learn actionable skills, gain practical insight, and share mutual support.
All programs listed below are held in-person at our Broad Ripple office and facilitated by Dr. Virginia Childs, PsyD. Because these offerings focus on psychoeducation, parent coaching, and skill-building, they are designed as non-clinical workshops and support spaces. They do not require a mental health diagnosis or clinical intake and are open to all self-pay participants.
Parenting Through the Teen Years
A Solution-Focused Group for Parents of Level 1 Autistic Teens
The adolescent years bring a rapid shift in social dynamics, academic expectations, and developing independence. For parents of Level 1 autistic teens, balancing necessary support with encouraging autonomy often feels like walking a tightrope.
Facilitated by Dr. Virginia Childs, PsyD, this closed group shifts the focus from reactive crisis management toward proactive, solution-focused parenting. Grounded in proven developmental frameworks and practical strategies from Dr. Claire Jack’s Level 1 Autistic Teens, parents gain a clearer understanding of how their teen experiences the world alongside actionable tools to guide them into adulthood.
What We Explore
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Solution-Focused Mindsets: Identifying individual strengths and practical accommodations rather than staying stuck in problem-fixing loops.
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School & Executive Functioning: Navigating homework friction, task initiation, demand avoidance, and sensory fatigue.
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Social Navigation & Autonomy: Supporting peer connections, self-advocacy, and emotional regulation without escalating into power struggles.
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Caregiver Peer Support: Direct, solutions-oriented discussions with other parents facing the exact same developmental stage.
Group Details & Schedule:
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Cohort Format: Closed cohort capped strictly at 6 parents/caregivers to ensure depth and safety.
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Duration: 11-week series, 1 hour per meeting.
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When: Choose your dedicated weekly group:
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Option A: Tuesdays at 7:00 PM
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Option B: Thursdays at 7:00 PM
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Payment
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Weekly Plan: $40 / week (auto-billed weekly to hold your dedicated seat throughout the 11-week series).
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Pay-in-Advance: $330 paid in full prior to Session 1 (save 25%).
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Guiding with Love & Confidence
An Educational & Support Circle for Parents of Transgender & Nonbinary Youth
When your child shares their authentic gender identity, your immediate priority is to support and protect them—even if you are still learning the landscape, terminology, and systems yourself.
Led by Dr. Virginia Childs, PsyD, this closed circle provides caregivers with evidence-based guidance and a compassionate community. Grounded in foundational insights from Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper’s The Transgender Child, this affirming, non-judgmental group offers practical roadmaps for everyday parenting, family conversations, and institutional advocacy.
What We Explore
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Affirming Development: Understanding gender identity development, social transitions, and emotional wellbeing.
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Everyday Family Dynamics: Practical communication strategies with extended family, siblings, and community members.
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Advocacy Tools: Handling school systems, peer dynamics, and medical/mental health navigation with confidence.
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Peer Community: Walking alongside a closed circle of parents who share your commitment to their children's happiness.
Group Details & Schedule:
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Cohort Format: Closed cohort capped strictly at 6 parents/caregivers
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Duration: 12-week series, 1 hour per meeting.
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When: Choose your dedicated weekly group:
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Option A: Mondays at 7:00 PM
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Option B: Wednesdays at 7:00 PM
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Payment
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Weekly Plan: $40 / week (auto-billed weekly to hold your dedicated seat throughout the 11-week series).
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Pay-in-Advance: $330 paid in full prior to Session 1 (save 25%).
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Thriving Beyond Survival
A Resilience & Community Seminar for Trans & Nonbinary Adults
Navigating everyday systems as a trans or nonbinary adult requires energy and endurance—but resilience should not have to be a solo effort.
Led by Dr. Virginia Childs, PsyD, this extended single-session intensive seminar is an educational deep dive into the psychological and practical factors that help trans adults thrive. Moving beyond basic coping mechanisms, this workshop focuses on cultivating personal protective buffers, setting effective boundaries, and mapping vital affirming resources.
What We Explore
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Identifying internal and external protective factors that shield against burnout and minority stress.
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Concrete strategies for managing workplace friction, healthcare advocacy, and transition milestones.
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Connecting directly to vetted, local affirming organizations, providers, and mutual-aid networks.
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A dedicated interactive segment to address real-world scenarios in an affirming setting.
Group Details & Schedule:
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Duration: Single extended intensive (90–120 minutes)
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When: Scheduled once interest reaches cohort capacity
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Payment: $50 one-time flat registration fee.
Group FAQs
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Are these groups clinical therapy?
No. These groups and seminars are educational, skills-building, and peer-support offerings facilitated by Dr. Virginia Childs, PsyD. They do not constitute formal psychotherapy, psychological assessment, or medical treatment, and they do not establish a clinical doctor-patient relationship.
2
Can you bill my health insurance for these groups?
Because these are non-clinical educational workshops, they are not covered or billable through health insurance plans. All offerings are self-pay.
3
Where do these meetings take place?
All groups and seminars meet in person at our Broad Ripple office. We deliberately designed these as in-person cohorts to foster genuine connection, presence, and community in a comfortable, confidential physical space. There is no virtual/telehealth option.
4
Can I use my HSA or FSA card to pay?
Our payment processor does accept HSA and FSA debit cards. However, because these groups and seminars are educational workshops rather than formal clinical psychotherapy, eligibility under IRS guidelines is determined by your specific plan administrator. Many HSA/FSA plans cover specialized parent education or family workshops, though some administrators may require a Letter of Medical Necessity from your or your child’s treating provider. We recommend confirming your plan’s specific documentation requirements prior to enrollment.
5
Why should I join a group if I can just buy and read the book myself?
While the core texts provide an exceptional foundation, everyday family life rarely follows a textbook script.
In our groups, you are working directly with Dr. Virginia Childs, PsyD, who brings doctoral-level clinical expertise to help you contextualize concepts for your specific household. Most importantly, joining a closed 6-parent cohort breaks caregiver isolation, giving you a trusted room of peers to workshop difficult conversations and share practical solutions.
6
Do I need to purchase the book, or are materials provided?
All essential session worksheets, structured exercises, and discussion guides are fully provided as part of your registration.
While purchasing the recommended book for your personal home library is welcomed and encouraged for extra reading, you are not required to buy it to participate fully. Dr. Childs will introduce and unpack all core concepts during your sessions.