Aroaring Space
Virtual support group for Ace and/ or Aro folx
Aroaring Space is a group for people who identify on the asexual and/or aromantic spectrum. While this group will be facilitated by a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Sunanda, it will primarily function as a support group, one with a theme; relationships.
Ace and/or aro experiences have a deep impact on not just the relationships we experience, but how we even conceptualize relationships overall! During Aroaring Space, we can come together to understand the different types of relationships that exist for us, and for others, learn from and teach one another, broaden horizons, and also share the struggles of living in an amatonormative world with those who will understand.
Specific topics for each session will be co-created with the participants. I'll have some pre-planned topics, but this space is for everyone, so I will definitely want many suggestions from participants!
WHEN: Weekly on Thursdays from 6pm to 7:30pm EST, starting October 16th.
INTAKE/PRE-APPROVAL NEEDED?: No, but registration required for each meeting
COST: Min $5, suggested range $25-100
WHERE: Virtually over zoom. Register for link.
Meet your faciliator
Hi, I'm Sunanda! I'm a Licenced Mental Health Counselor, and I am Aroace. I founded and facilitated a support group for ace/aro folx at the LGBT Center for over 3 years, and it was fantastic! Now I'm excited to be creating a similar but different space for aces and aros again!
Group Info
I've been questioning if I may be ace/aro, but I'm not sure. Can I attend?
For sure! A group can be a great place to learn more about yourself, explore how these identities and experiences relate to you!
I'm not ace or aro, but I want to learn about it or my loved one identifies as ace/aro. Can I attend?
While we love that you want to learn more, this group is for only folx who identify as or are exploring the identities in the asexual and aromantic spectrum. Reach out if you'd like some resource suggestions.
This is a therapy practice and the facilitator is a therapist. Does that mean this is a therapy group?
Not exactly! Aroaring Space will function primarily as a support group wherein participants share their experiences, receive and give each other support, learn from and teach one another, and overall be in and create community together. At the same time, this group cycle will be focusing on relationships of all kinds; with friends, lovers, partners, ourselves, family…and relationships can bring up a lot for us. Having a licensed therapist as the facilitator can be helpful in such cases, and in navigating different dynamics that can show up in a group. However, because I'm a facilitator while also being a community member, I prefer not to have a rigid separation between participant and facilitator.
Any chance that the group will extend beyond 12 sessions/February?
If there is demand, and I have capacity, then for sure!
How do I get the zoom link and password?
You must register and pay for each meeting to receive the zoom link and password.
I'm not sure how much to pay, do you have suggestions?
Aroaring Space is pay-what-you-can, with a minimum of $5! Our suggested range is $25-100, and we do not take insurance for this group. We trust that you pay based on your financial capacity, and if you are unsure how to assess that, take our anti-oppressive rate-range questionnaire! (please note: the prices in this questionnaire are for our individual therapy services, and not relevant to this group. However, once you know what range you're in, you can apply that same breakdown for the suggested rate of $25-100 for the group.
For example, if you fall under full cost or redistribution, consider paying on the higher side. Please reach out to sunanda@freshpathny.com to enquire about pro bono slots.
Please note that registration is NON-REFUNDABLE, but if you'd like to apply a registration fee to a future session, please inquire through email.
How many meetings will the group have?
We will have 12 sessions between October and February (allowing breaks for holidays/vacation time).
Do I need to attend every meeting?
No, this group is a flex drop-in. What that means is, you do need to pay and register for each meeting you want to attend, but you do not need an intake or approval to join.
