Workshops
Discover current and upcoming workshops
Crafts, Connections, & Confidence (CCC)
A Neuro-Affirming Group for Self-Identified Girls
CCC is a small, supportive group designed for neurodivergent, girl-identifying participants to build confidence, social connection, and emotional awareness in a calm, creative environment. The group is intentionally limited to promote safety, meaningful connection, and individualized support.
Each session is intentionally structured to offer predictability while remaining flexible and responsive to the group. Sessions begin with a welcome and grounding activity, then flow into games, creative projects, and shared experiences designed to support emotional awareness, connection, and confidence in ways that feel natural and engaging. Participation is always voluntary, with choice built into activities and alternative options available. Participants are encouraged to engage in ways that feel right for them, whether that means observing, participating alongside peers, or taking space when needed.
Opportunities for connection, communication, and relationship-building are woven into shared experiences rather than taught explicitly, allowing interaction to emerge organically and at each participant’s own pace. Activities are adapted to reflect the unique needs, interests, and energy of each group. Whether participants experience ADHD, autism, OCD, or other ND traits, this program centres acceptance, autonomy, and emotional safety. Participants are supported in showing up as themselves and building skills through play, creativity, and connection within a warm, neuro-affirming environment. No formal diagnosis is required.
CCC is co-facilitated by a Registered Clinical Counsellor and a Junior Behaviour Consultant, bringing together emotional support and strengths-based strategies that support connection, regulation, and confidence. The group emphasizes choice, autonomy, and authenticity in neuro-affirming environment.
Thursdays beginning February 12
The pre-teen years can bring increased social pressure, changing friendships, and growing self-awareness. CCC offers a neuro-affirming space where girls can slow down, connect with peers, and explore emotions and relationships without the pressure to perform or fit a specific mould.
This group was intentionally designed for ND girls and gender-diverse pre-teens (ages ~9-12), who often navigate these years with added complexity. Many learn to mask their differences in order to belong, and systemic biases can delay recognition and access to appropriate support. CCC does not require a formal diagnosis and meets participants where they are.
Through hands-on crafts, guided activities, and shared experiences, participants explore confidence, friendships, emotional awareness, and self-expression. Creativity is used as a bridge to connection, allowing relationships to develop naturally and at each participant’s own pace.
About the Group
February 12
February 19
February 26
March 5
March 12
Dates
Families enrolling in CCC have the option of a brief 15-minute video call with either Samantha or Erin. This relaxed, low-pressure conversation is designed to help your child feel more comfortable and familiar before the group begins.
The purpose of this call is to introduce the group facilitators in an approachable way, learn a bit about the participants interests, strengths, and what helps them feel at ease in group settings, and to begin building a sense of safety and predictability ahead of the first session.
Many families find this short connection helps ease first-session nerves and supports a smoother transition into the group. It also gives us a chance to ensure the group feels like a supportive and appropriate fit before moving forward.
Optional Meet & Connect Call
Samantha Porter, MC, RCC
Samantha has experience supporting children, youth, and families across a variety of community, school, and clinical settings. Her work takes a neuro-affirming, strengths-based approach that centres emotional safety, authenticity, and connection. In her counselling practice, Samantha works directly with ND children, youth, and adults, offering one-to-one support that is responsive to each person’s individual needs and lived experience.
Samantha supports young people in ways that are developmentally appropriate and responsive to individual needs. She has experience facilitating group therapy and community-based workshops, creating spaces where individuals can connect with peers, explore emotions, and engage at their own pace.
Samantha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Youth Care, a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology, and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor.
Erin Green, MPE, ABA
Erin brings over a decade of experience supporting ND children, youth, and families across schools, community programs, and community-based settings. Her work is grounded in relationship-based, strengths-focused, neuro-affirming, and trauma-informed values, with a strong emphasis on emotional safety, choice, and authentic connection.
Erin has supported ND students within the Vancouver School Board as an Educational Assistant, collaborating with classroom teams to promote inclusion, emotional regulation, and meaningful participation. She has also worked with the Squamish Nation in ways that were family-led, culturally respectful, and rooted in community connection. Behavioural knowledge is used to support access, regulation, and engagement, not to enforce compliance or change identity. She believes growth happens through safety, trust, and relationship, and that connection develops naturally within supportive environments.
Erin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Youth Care, a Master’s degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis, and is a Certified Junior Behaviour Consultant.
Pricing
Five sessions total | $500
($100 per session)
This is a five-week program
Registration is for the full series
What's included:
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A weekly summary email outlining the session themes and experiences, including how emotional awareness, connection, and self-regulation were supported through group activities
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A brief end-of-group summary highlighting participation patterns, strengths, and observed areas of growth, with context to support caregivers’ understanding of their child’s experience in the group
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All craft supplies and small snacks
Funding & Coverage
BC Autism Funding (AFU) accepted
Families with Autism Funding may use their funding for this group.
Extended health benefits
Some extended health benefit plans may cover group therapy with an RCC. Coverage varies by provider and plan.
Invoices provided per session or at the end of the program for insurance or funding purposes.
To register for the workshop, please include your child’s name, age, and a brief note about them in the message box. We will be in touch to connect and chat about next steps.
If you’re interested in CCC but the current session dates or weekly timing do not work for your family, we still encourage you to reach out. We welcome feedback and would use it to shape future groups in ways that are responsive to family needs and support participation. When reaching out, please feel free to share your child’s age and any days or times that tend to work best.
While this group is intended for pre-teens ages 9–12, we recognize that age alone doesn’t always reflect developmental fit. If your child is slightly younger or older and you feel this group may be a good fit, we’re happy to connect and talk this through together.
