Groups + Workshops
Autism Caregivers Collective
Autism Caregivers Collective is an ongoing support group starting in 2026 for caregivers of autistic children. The facilitators, Lindsay Crickmay (MSW, RSW) and Grace Ohrling (MSW Intern) recognize that parents and other caregivers of autistic youth can feel misunderstood, alone, and isolated within systems and their own family. It can be challenging to not always understand your own child's behaviour. There can be intense feelings of grief, guilt, and loss over the parenting journey you envisioned and the presented journey. It's emotional knowing autistic children are just as special as every other child, however society has a narrow idea of what is 'acceptable' and it's hard to help your child fit into a world not designed for them.
Attend as many sessions as you'd like of this support group with morning and evening sessions each month. Join to share or listen to personal stories of wins, loses, and emotions from autistic parenting journeys. Feel welcomed to share and learn strategies or guidance with other caregivers. Feel confidence in your parenting skills. Join to see your child in a different light. You're so welcomed, heard, and accepted here.
Details:
When: 12:30pm-2:30pm and/or 7:00pm-9:00pm on the following Fridays- February 6, March 6, April 10, and May 1, 2026
Where: In person at Bloom Kitchener (Belmont Village)
Cost: $50 per session. Reimbursable through insurance for social work or OAP funding.
Connected from the Start
Connected from the Start is a warm, supportive baby & me group for parents and their 3–18-month-olds, focused on building secure attachment through music, play, and mindful connection. Led by Tyler Reidy (RP, MTA) and Melissa Fellin (MSW, RSW, PhD, CPT), this 4-session biweekly group (starting Oct 7) supports bonding, emotional development, and early communication—while offering parents tools for confidence, co-regulation, and connection during the postpartum period. With gentle, creative, and relationship-focused approaches, parents will leave this group feeling more confident, knowledgeable, and connected to their babies. Babies will leave this group with more socialization, early communication, and feeling secure knowing their needs are being responded to by attuned and loving parents.
Details:
When: Biweekly Tuesdays, 4 sessions, Jan 20, Feb 3, Feb 17, March 3
Where: In person at Bloom Kitchener (Belmont Village)
Cost: $180 per session, $720 total. Reimbursable through insurance for social work or psychotherapy.
The Art of Nurture
Accepting participants for our new in-person parenting group starting in winter 2026 - You spend so much time nurturing others—this is your turn. Nurture is a warm, supportive art therapy group designed to help parents tend to their own emotional wellbeing through creative expression, mindfulness, and connection with others who “get it.”
When life feels overwhelming, creativity can offer a way back to balance. Nurture invites parents to slow down, de-stress, and connect with others through gentle, guided art therapy activities. No art experience needed—just a space to breathe, create, and feel supported among other parents.
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Details:
When: Biweekly Sundays ,7:00pm-8:30pm
Feb 1, 15, March 1, 15, 29, April 12
Where: Bloom Waterloo - 7 Willow St. Waterloo
Cost: $150 per session. 6 sessions total.
*reimbursable through insurance coverage for psychotherapy
With: Art Therapists: Janet DeGazon RP and Ryan Spies RP(q)
Nature's Palette: Eco Art Adventures
Janet De Gazon (RP) and Ryan Spies present: Nature’s Palette- Eco Art Adventures These seasonal 90 minute Sunday workshops provide anxious or highly sensitive 7-11-year-olds an opportunity to create art using found materials in nature while enjoying the soothing qualities of nature where the sights, sounds, and smells are calming. This connection to their surroundings will help children to process emotions, build resilience, feel more grounded, reduce stress, and foster a sense of belonging.
Each off-site outdoor workshop is only $85 for your child to attend, reimbursable with coverage for psychotherapy services.
Winter Group 2: Jan 18, 11:30am-1:00pm
Puppet Pals- Social Skills Group
Evie McKendrick RP, CPT, and Melissa Fellin MSW, RSW, CPT will be running a four-week expressive arts therapy group called Puppets and Pals for children who may have anxiety, shyness or any child who would like to work on enhancing social skills.
Puppet Pals will teach children important social skills such as: interacting with one another, flexibility, ability to take turns, self-awareness of their bodies in relation to others, attunement, collaboration, emotional identification, body language, voice projection, and a chance to try performing in front of a very small group.
This group for ages 5-7, and meets weekly at Bloom Kitchener. The group typically takes place Monday afternoons.
Details:
When: Mondays at 5pm - Jan 19, Jan 26, Feb 2 , Feb 9
Where: Bloom Kitchener
Cost: $150 per session. 4 sessions total.
*reimbursable through insurance coverage for group therapy or Registered Social Worker or Psychotherapist
Expression Lab
Lindsay Crickmay (MSW, RSW), Tyler Reidy (RP, MTA), and Grace Ohrling (MSW intern) invite children ages 9-12 who may be neurodivergent, have low-self esteem, anxious, or shy to participate in this group in a variety of expressive arts practices to connect with others and express themselves through visual arts, music & sound, movement/ drama, and performance in this group. This group is great for youth to cultivate their individuality while understanding how they can embrace community, feel belonging, and socialize with ease.
By exploring different methods of creative self expression, children will build on their concepts of identity and self-esteem, and embrace their unique way of understanding themselves, the world, and others.
Bloom therapists, Tyler, Lindsay, and Grace, look forward to getting groovy, and having fun with the youth in this group!
This group is for ages 9-12, and meets weekly on Wednesdays at Bloom Kitchener.
Details:
When: Wednesdays, 5:30pm-6:45pm, on Jan 14, 21, 28, and Feb 4
Where: Bloom Kitchener
Cost: $180 per session. 4 sessions total.
*reimbursable through insurance coverage for group therapy or Registered Social Worker or Psychotherapist
Parent With Confidence
Melissa Fellin MSW RSW looks forward to welcoming you to a half day virtual workshop that is interactive, real, and full of tools you can actually use.
You love your child deeply, but parenting them feels like a constant battle.
Your child is kind, empathetic, and creative—but the world doesn’t seem to see it. Instead, people notice the meltdowns, the high energy, or the moments when they seem unmotivated.
You’re tired of:
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Feeling like nothing you do is “enough.”
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Constant fights, walking on eggshells, and fear of public meltdowns.
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Worry about judgment from other parents, teachers, or family.
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Watching your child struggle with friends, school, or activities.
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Feeling lonely and isolated in your parenting journey.
After this workshop, you will: Feel more calm, compassionate, and confident in your parenting; Know how to respond to your child’s big feelings and challenging behaviours; Have strategies to prevent and de-escalate meltdowns—without losing connection; See and build on your child’s strengths and gifts; Create a relationship where your child trusts you enough to bring you their hardest problems
Details:
2 hours on zoom
When: Monday December 15 at 6pm-8pm
Where: Virtual workshop on zoom
Cost: $200 workshop
*reimbursable through insurance coverage for social workers
Friendly Hearts - Social Skills
In person children’s group: Friendly Hearts (for children in SK-Grade 2). This children’s play therapy group is being led by Bloom therapists, Melissa Fellin RSW, MSW, CPT and Olivia Holden BSW, MSW, RSW and will focus on developing social skills necessary for making and keeping friends, engaging kindly with others at home and in other settings, and using their strengths to feel confident in navigating social situations.
In a play based, small group setting, Olivia and Melissa focus on the major areas of: rules; greetings; body safety; setting and respecting boundaries; kindness; and empathy. Follow up Parent sessions will be available upon request to review your child's strengths and areas of growth
Details:
When: Join the waitlist for the Spring 2025 offering by completing the form below!
Where: Bloom Kitchener
Cost: $150 per session. 4 sessions total.
*reimbursable through insurance coverage for group therapy or Registered Social Worker.
Perfectly Imperfect Art Therapy Group
Janet De Gazon (RP) and Ryan Spies (art therapy student) will be running 5-week art therapy group called Perfectly Imperfect Art designed to help youth embrace the process over the product, giving them the freedom to explore their creativity, experiment with art supplies, and let their ‘growth mindset’ shine!
In a safe and supportive environment, Janet and Ryan will invite youth to participate in a variety of playful, messy art activities that challenge perfectionism and encourage self-expression.
Details:
When: 2026 dates TBD- submit the form below to be added to the waitlist!
Where: Bloom Waterloo - 7 Willow St. Waterloo
Cost: $185 per session. $925 total.
*reimbursable through insurance coverage for psychotherapy
Junior Rockers
A 6-Week Music Therapy Adventure for Ages 3–5 years old with Tyler Reidy (RP, MTA). Through playful music-making, movement, and storytelling, your child will build social skills like turn-taking, sharing, and friendship; strengthen language and communication through songs and rhythm; learn calming tools to manage big emotions, and explore creativity and self-expression in a safe, joyful space. Perfect for children with anxiety, speech delays, autism, or social challenges. Parents are welcome to join in the fun and receive expert guidance along the way. Give your child the gift of growth through music—join the Junior Rockers today!
Join the waitlist to be notified of the next offering!
Where: In person at Bloom Kitchener (Belmont Village)
Cost: $150 per session, $900 total, May be reimbursable through OAP, or insurance as “group therapy” or “Registered Psychotherapist”
The Art of Being a Friend
Eveliina McKendrick, RP(Q) & Olivia Holden, MSW are running a 4-week group where youth in grades 4-6 will participate in creative, sensory-based activities and crafts while learning more about: understanding healthy friendships; resolving conflict; self-advocacy & boundary setting with friends; navigating the online world safely; coping with social stressors; and relationships.
Through hands on, playful activities such as creating slime, stress balls, visual art, beading, and emotional regulation tools, this group is great for youth who are struggling to navigate changing peer dynamics.
The Fall group is FULL. Add your child to the waitlist for the Spring 2026 offering!
Location: Bloom Kitchener
Parenting with ADHD
Virtual parenting with ADHD group for parents who have an ADHD diagnosis. This parent/guardians-only group is led by Bloom therapist, Josh Rinz BSc., MA, RP, AAT.
This group is for any parents who have an ADHD diagnosis themselves and are looking for: A sense of community amongst other parents with similar experiences.
WINTER DATES COMING SOON- ADD YOURSELF TO THE WAITLIST
So Now What? A Parenting Guide to a New ASD Diagnosis
Virtual parenting workshop for parents and caregivers of children who recently received an ASD diagnosis. This parent/guardians-only workshop is led by Bloom therapist, Josh Rinz BSc., MA, RP, AAT.
This psychoeducational based workshop will answer your questions about what to do with this new diagnosis and ways to support yourselves and your child through their diagnosis of ASD.
The dates and time of this online workshop will be determined by participants' availability.
The cost for this workshop is $45+HST per couple/co-parents/guardian unit and if you have extended insurance benefits to see a psychotherapist, it can be submitted via benefits as “Group Therapy”.
Parenting Youth with ADHD
This group is for any parents who have children 4-11 years old with an ADHD diagnosis and are looking for: community and connection with parents who have similar experiences with their children; to feel validated, understood, and motivated as a parent in a group setting; and to learn the latest strategies for effectively parenting a neurodivergent child in today’s chaotic world.
This 1 hour group runs for 4 weeks over ZOOM facilitated by Josh (RP) and Olivia (MSW) . Add yourself to the waitlist to be notified when Winter 2026 dates are released!
Interested in a Group or Workshop?
Check back here and on our social media for upcoming group and workshop announcements!
If you are interested in joining a group or workshop, reach out to us and we will add you to the contact list for the future group or workshop.