Group Details
When: Thursdays, 12:00–1:00pm CST
Where: Online via Zoom
Duration: 8 months (September 2026 – April 2027)
Cost: $40/session | Private pay
Size: Maximum 8 members
Status: FORMING — starting mid-September 2026
Permission to be an imperfect parent — and to not be alone in it.
Parenting surfaces everything. Whether you've read every parenting book or can't find the energy to open one, this group is a space to understand what comes up — and to stop feeling like the only one it happens to.
This isn't a parenting class. There are no techniques, no worksheets, no homework. It's a relational space where parents show up honestly and do the deeper work of understanding their own patterns — and how those patterns show up with their kids.
This group is for you if:
✓ You catch yourself parenting in ways you swore you never would
✓ You feel isolated in the hard parts of parenting
✓ You're exhausted by advice but know something still needs to shift
✓ You want to understand yourself, not just manage your kids' behavior
✓ You're ready to do relational work in community with other parents
This group welcomes parents of kids at any age. LGBTQIA+ affirming and inclusive of all identities and family structures.
What happens in the group?
Unlike a parenting class or support group, this is a process group — meaning the work happens through relationship, not instruction.
You'll bring what's real. Other members will reflect back what they notice. Over time, you'll begin to see the patterns you carry — where they came from, why they persist, and how to change them at the root.
The goal isn't to become a perfect parent. It's to become a more present, aware, and compassionate one — starting with yourself.
Why a shorter commitment?
Most of Sophie's process groups run open-ended, often a year or more. This group is intentionally designed as an 8-month, school-year container — long enough for real relational work, short enough to feel accessible if you're not ready for an open-ended commitment.
How to Join
Step 1: Email sophie@abelcounseling.org with a little about your situation
Step 2: Schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation
Step 3: If it's a good fit, we'll schedule 1–3 individual intake sessions before the group begins
Your Questions Answered
Is this therapy or a support group? It's therapy — a clinical process group facilitated by a licensed therapist. It's not a drop-in support group or a parenting class.
Do I need to be in individual therapy too? Not necessarily, though some members choose to do both. We'll talk through what makes sense for you during the intake process.
What if I've never done group therapy before? Most people haven't. The intake sessions will help you understand what to expect.
What if I miss a session? You reserve your spot in the group, so the fee applies whether or not you attend a given week. Consistency matters for the group to do its best work.
Why $40 instead of your usual group rate? This group is offered at a reduced fee intentionally — to make the work accessible and to reflect the shorter, time-limited format.
About Sophie
I'm Sophie Abel, LCSW-S, CGP, PMH-C. I specialize in attachment, relational patterns, and interpersonal process group therapy. I'm a Certified Group Psychotherapist currently completing advanced training in Modern Analytic Group Psychotherapy through the Center for Group Studies in New York.
I'm also a parent. I know what it's like to hear your own history come out of your mouth in the middle of a hard moment with your kid. That's exactly why I wanted to create this group.