A Parent/Caregiver Group for Supporting Independence in Kids Ages 8–12
You might already know that today’s kids are experiencing higher levels of anxiety than ever before.
And while anxiety is a normal emotion that can help us stay safe, it becomes a problem when it leads kids to:
Avoid challenges
Doubt their abilities
Rely on adult reassurance
Miss chances to build confidence
When your kid is struggling with anxiety, you respond in the most natural way possible:
You step in.
You help.
You protect.
You solve.
And it works, for the moment. But long term, it doesn’t, and your child’s anxiety actually increases.
Our goal is to help shift this pattern.
Here’s the deal.
Children don’t build confidence by feeling calm FIRST. They build confidence by learning that they can handle hard things.
Kids are ANTI-FRAGILE: they’re not just NOT fragile, they actually need to be pushed and challenged to do things that are a little uncomfortable so they can learn how to manage that discomfort.
And if they don’t get that practice, their internal message is, “I can’t do hard things by myself.” Their self-efficacy decreases, and their anxiety goes up.
We’re here to change that. This group is based on Independence-Focused Treatment — an evidence-informed approach that helps families learn research-backed strategies to:
Reduce children’s avoidance
Decrease adult over-accommodation
Support healthy and age-appropriate independence
Build true coping skills through fun, real-life experiences
And regain your own time and joy!
Join us on Thursdays from 11:30 to 12:45, via telehealth, for an online parent/caregiver group to help you make a difference in your child’s mental health.
Complete this form, or call, text, or email to learn more!
Thursdays 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM for six weeks
Dates:
3/19, 3/26, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30
Limited to 8 families
Cost: $400 per family
This group is:
✔ LGBTQIA+ affirming
✔ Neurodivergence affirming
✔ Anti-racist
We believe independence should be built in ways that respect each child’s identity, temperament, and support needs.
Facilitated by:
Allison Gleichman, MA, LPCC, LSC, NCC
Candice Dow, MA, LPC, NCC
Allison is a psychotherapist in private practice, specializing in supporting gifted, 2e, and neurodivergent clients dealing with stress, anxiety, internalized ableism, identity questions, and general overwhelm; she’s seen the pressure untreated anxiety can create throughout the lifespan. And as a 2e person herself, she knows the joys and challenges of that identity. Allison spent 18 years working in the public school system as a teacher, instructional coach, and school counselor, and has worked with kids from kindergarten through 12th grade on their mental health, social-emotional needs, independence, and problem-solving skills, including partnering with caregivers to ensure confidence in their abilities to support at home..
Allison is certified in Brainspotting, a mindfulness-based trauma-processing modality that accesses the limbic system for faster, deeper processing. As a parent, Allison knows personally and professionally the pressures that today’s parents and youth are under. Allison is deeply relational, never judgmental, and is excited to emotionally and practically support you on this part of your parenting journey.
Candice is a trauma-informed therapist who supports youth, young adults, and the families who love them through challenges like anxiety, perfectionism, identity development, and relational stress. With advanced training in EMDR, ADHD, CPTSD, and attachment-based approaches, she helps young people build confidence, emotional regulation, and a stronger sense of self while partnering closely with caregivers to improve communication, reduce anxiety cycles, and foster healthy independence using practical, research-backed tools. Her warm, collaborative style integrates nervous-system awareness with real-life strategies.
As a parent herself, Candice understands the complexity and pressure of raising kids in today’s world. That lived experience, combined with her clinical background, gives her a deep appreciation for how much parents hold—and how isolating it can feel. She believes strongly in the power of community, nervous‑system safety, and supportive guidance to help caregivers navigate the many roles and responsibilities they carry. Her work is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and the belief that parents deserve spaces where they feel understood, resourced, and not alone.
Allison and Candice have collaborated clinically to support young people since 2017. Join us in this experience as we help you feel more confident and connected in your parenting.