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Online Mental Health Groups
Current offerings:
Gender Joy: online peer support
Trauma Recovery Skills: online skills group
These neurodivergence-affirming groups are designed for 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and allies.
Indigenous community members attend at no cost or pay-what-you-can
Gender Joy: Online Peer Support
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What is the group about?
This peer support group is led by a registered clinician 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. Previous themes we’ve covered include social and medical transitioning, self-advocacy, navigating the workplace, friends and family, relationship with food, and mental health.
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Is it covered by insurance?
Participation may be covered by insurance if yours includes services by an RCC. Suggested fee per session is $40-$60 or $300 for all 6. This group is free or pay-what-you-can for Indigenous participants and covered by the First Nations Health Authority in BC. If cost is a barrier, please let us know you’re interested.
A calendar with future themes will be sent out after the first session, so participants can plan which sessions they want to attend.
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What are the details?
WHEN: We’ll meet virtually on Wednesdays from 3:30pm to 5pm for 6 sessions starting on January 28th 2026.
WHERE: This group will take place virtually over video. All members will need a private space with a stable internet connection and a journal to participate. Please be in touch about access needs.
WHO: Two Spirit, trans, gender nonconforming, gender creative, and gender questioning individuals who want to be part of a group.
FACILITATORS: Kandice Simons, RCC, and Rae Maloney
Trauma Processing Prep Skills Group
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What is the group about?
Learn evidence-based stabilization skills in a supportive group setting to help manage symptoms of PTSD and complex trauma. This group builds the foundation needed for future trauma processing with an individual therapist.
We maintain clear boundaries around sharing personal details, while still offering space to connect around coping strategies and feel validated in your experiences without sharing details of traumatic experiences.
The purpose of this group is to prepare for deeper processing. However, participants may notice a significant decrease in PTSD-like symptomology after participating in this group.
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Is it covered by insurance?
This group is covered by the First Nations Health Authority of BC and we offer direct billing with the FNHA and Pacific Blue Cross.
If you’re not Indigenous or don’t have coverage with the FNHA, participation may be covered by insurance if yours includes services by an RCC.
Fee per session is $80. If cost is a barrier, please let us know you’re interested, as we have sliding scale spaces available.
Participation is free or pay-what-you-can for non-status Indigenous community members.
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What are the details?
WHEN: We’ll meet virtually at a time chosen by participants starting in March 2026 or earlier if we 6 participants signed up.
WHERE: This group will take place virtually. All members will need a private space with a stable internet connection and a journal or other self-reflective practice to participate. Please be in touch about access needs.
WHO: This group can be a fit for anyone who is experiencing trauma symptoms and who would like to learn more, experience relief, and gain a sense of community.
FACILITATORS: Erin Suerink, RCC, CCC and Anja Hess, RCC.
Grief Circle
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What is the group about?
Learn about how grief manifests in your body and receive comfort and support from your community.
We maintain clear boundaries around sharing personal details, while still offering space to connect around coping strategies and feel validated in your experiences.
This group is led by trauma specialists who can help you find meaning and purpose within your grief experience.
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Is it covered by insurance?
This group is covered by the First Nations Health Authority of BC. If you’re not Indigenous or don’t have coverage with the FNHA, participation may be covered by insurance if yours includes services by an RCC.
Fee per session is $80. If cost is a barrier, please let us know you’re interested.
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What are the details?
WHEN: We’ll meet virtually at a time chosen by participants in January 2026 or earlier if we have 6 signed up.
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 or other self-reflective practice to participate. Please be in touch about access needs.
WHO: This group can be a fit for anyone who is experiencing grief and who would like to make sense of what they’re going through with the support of a community.
FACILITATORS: Kandice Simons, RCC, and another trauma specialist from our team
Parenting Group
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What is the group about?
Led by our parenting expert, Dez Mirosevic, this group offers a safe place for parents to connect and learn how to cope more authentically.
Join us as you are and leave feeling connected and more resourced. We offer support, education around development, skills, and coping strategies to those parenting children of all ages.
Topics will reflect participants and may include neurodivergence-affirming parenting, supporting emotional development, communication, and coping.
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Is it covered by insurance?
This group is covered by the First Nations Health Authority of BC. If you’re not Indigenous or don’t have coverage with the FNHA, participation may be covered by insurance if yours includes services by an RCC.
Fee per session is $80. If cost is a barrier, please let us know you’re interested.
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What are the details?
WHEN: We’ll meet virtually at a time chosen by participants as soon as we have 6 signed up.
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 or other self-reflective practice to participate. Please be in touch about access needs.
WHO: If you are a parent and want to cope differently, be more resourced, or simply see that others know how you feel, this group is for you!
FACILITATORS: Dez Mirosevic and Anja Hess, RCC 18489.
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?
Participation may be covered by insurance if yours includes services by an RCC. The fee per session is $60-80 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 at a time chosen by participants when we have 6 signed up.
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 another member of our team
Calm Corner: Skills for Anxiety
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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?
Participation may be covered by insurance if yours includes services by an RCC. The fee is $80 per session 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 when we have 6 participants signed up.
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 and another member of our team!
trauma-informed group facilitators
Anja Hess, RCC #18489
She/He/They
Anja is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a background in feminist therapy and anti-oppressive PTSD and trauma recovery. With over 16 years experience facilitating groups, Anja has enjoyed co-facilitating process and educational/skills groups including yoga therapy for eating disorders, building skills for social anxiety, gender exploration, 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 group participant all carry the wisdom that we are stronger and more capable in community. I look forward to leading us in creating a secure, empowering space and being part of a group with you!”
Groups facilitated by Anja are free for Indigenous participants and are eligible for extended health benefits that cover groups with an RCC. Direct billing is available for First Nations Health Authority and Pacific Blue Cross members.
Kandice Simons, RCC
They/Them
Kandice brings warmth and inclusivity to groups that they facilitate. With a background in PTSD and complex trauma recovery, they are passionate about creating safety in therapy and groups and that includes sharing knowledge that can empower others to make informed decisions about their mental health and life. Kandice offers expertise around trauma, relationships, grief, gender, and neurodivergence and they use a compassion-focused approach to group facilitation. They have a wicked sense of humour too!
Kandice has been rescued by two adorable pups and you catch a glimpse of Xena if you participate in a group with Kandice.
Rae Maloney
She/They
Rae offers a peer-focused approach as a group facilitator as they are taking part in Wildwood’s training program. They come to our Gender Joy group with lived experience and a degree in gender studies from the University of Cape Town.
Rae is a settler on the land of the Lekwungen-speaking People and grew up in South Africa, immigrating to so-called Canada as a young adult. She has a big heart for those who want to explore their relationship to culture including grief, reconnection, change, and oppression.
With their main gig is as a “hair-apist” offering identity-affirming haircuts and colours, Rae is known for their friendly, open, and goofy personality. In her spare time, Rae enjoys spending time with loved ones, playing soccer, and being quiet with a book, collage, or knitting project.
Erin Suerink, RCC, CCC
She/Her
Erin has an extensive background in PTSD and trauma recovery, having served families, couples, and individuals using anti-oppressive therapeutic modalities as a registered clinician for about 8 years. Erin has specialization in multiple evidence-based ways to treat trauma and she’s passionate about attachment-focused somatics, which allows us to explore our mind-body connection in relation to trauma and relationships.
Erin enjoys leading groups in order to create safer and supportive environments to learn from each other and heal in community. It is important to Erin that you feel empowered and seen in her groups, which means there will be multiple ways to offer feedback and requests. She is well-versed in adapting skills for those facing disability and neurodivergence.
Erin has a cat named Biscuit. Participants in Erin’s groups can expect to learn about a grounding skill inspired by Biscuit!
Dez Mirosevic
She/Her
Dez is a settler on Ktunaxa Territory with 14+ years of experience facilitating groups of all ages including students, families, and parents. Dez offers a relaxed and relational presence with a passion for mental health, as they are also taking part in Wildwood’s internship program after shifting their career away from social work.
With extensive experience in parenting support, neurodivergence-affirming care, relational dynamics, and oppression and bullying, Dez uses nonjudgemental approaches to teaching others how to communicate and relate more easily.
If you enjoy working with Dez, they are currently accepting new clients at lower rate.
Bronwyn Lawrence, RCC
She/Her
Bronwyn is a settler on Lekwungen Territory and recent 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.
