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 with a theme: intersectionality.
We all have multitudes of different identities and experiences, which will play with and impact our ace/aro lived experiences. Group will be a space to consider how our different identities and experiences interact with each other, interact with ace/aro-ness, how these interactions play out in our lives, and how we'd want them to play out.
In the first session, we'll co-create our list of intersectionalities to explore, and participants will have the chance to vote on which topic they'd like to do each week!
WHEN: Weekly on Thursdays from 6pm to 7:30pm EST, starting February 26th.
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 Licensed 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!
HOW TO REGISTER
Step 1 - Got to this link
Step 2 - Make your payment (min$5, suggested $25-100)
Step 3 - Click on "return to merchant" or wait up to 20 seconds after payment is completed to be forwarded to the Zoom registration page
Step 4 - Choose the session date, fill in your information and submit.
Once you've completed Step 4, you should automatically get the zoom link and passcode via email.
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. However, we may have a "Bring Your Allo to Group” session, in which you will be allowed to attend, with invitation from an attending ace/aro participant. Reach out if you'd like some other 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 is meant to be a space where we can get into things, talk about our struggles and strengths, and also our similarities and differences… stuff that 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.
How can I provide feedback on sessions I’ve attended in the past?
Here is a completely anonymous feedback form! I'm a feedback nerd, so feel free to be as detailed as you're comfortable being! You're also welcome to email me sunanda@freshpathny.com, or set up time to talk if you'd like to give one-on-one feedback.
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 February and June (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.
