Rediscovering Your Identity Beyond Autism Parenting Through Family Therapy in Kansas
Event Description:
Raising a child with autism can involve coordinating support from many different people—teachers, medical professionals, speech and occupational therapists, behavioral specialists, and others. Parents and caregivers are often the ones bringing all of these pieces together while also providing the day-to-day care, encouragement, and advocacy their child needs.
Yet caregivers need support, too.
Parents Need A Herd Too is an online support group for parents and caregivers of children with autism who want a place to connect with people who truly understand their experiences. The group provides an opportunity to talk openly about the emotional ups and downs of parenting, discover ways to care for yourself while caring for your child, and develop supportive relationships with other parents navigating similar experiences.
Target Audience:
Parents or couples who are the primary caregivers of a child between the ages of 2 and 18 with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder are welcome to participate.
Dates & Times:
Week 1: Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Week 2: Wednesday, October 21st, 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Week 3: Wednesday, October 28th, 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Week 4: Wednesday, November 4th, 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Week 5: Wednesday, November 11th, 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Week 6: Wednesday, November 18th, 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Week 7: Wednesday, December 2nd, 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Week 8: Wednesday, December 9th, 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Location:
Online via HIPAA Compliant Platform
Pricing:
$30 per family for the entire 8 week series, due upon registration
Facilitator Information:
This group will be led by Maiya Strain, a student therapist at MidAmerica Nazarene University and Tawna Cuzzort, student therapist from Capella Univeristy.
Week 4:
Session Focus
Rediscovering who you are beyond your role as a parent or caregiver.
Session Purpose
Parenting can become such a central part of life that personal interests, relationships, goals, and other important parts of identity may gradually move to the background. This session invites parents to pause and consider the parts of themselves that existed before—or alongside—their caregiving role.
Participants will have space to reflect on their individual interests, values, strengths, and identities, while considering how reconnecting with these aspects of themselves can contribute to greater balance and well-being. An online therapist in Overland Park, KS can also be a helpful resource for parents who want additional individual support as they navigate their own emotional needs.
Session Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will identify at least one personal interest, value, strength, or role that exists outside of parenting. They will also explore realistic ways to reconnect with or make space for that part of themselves in their everyday lives.