Resolute Rainbows | Resolute Therapy

Become Resolute in Who You Are!

Welcome to Resolute Rainbows!

NOTE: I am currently constructing a wait list to begin this group therapy format. I am actively taking contact information from parents who are interested in having them and their child attend. Good group therapy sizes range from 5-8 individuals. Please email me if you are interested in being added to the wait list. Families will be contacted as soon as enough are on the list to begin a group.

Read more to learn about this unique group therapy format and experience for parents and children in Eastern Iowa.

Purpose: Resolute Rainbows is a Group Therapy format for children and their parents; for children with gender dysphoria, who identify as transgender, non-binary, gender-expansive, gender non-conforming, or any way that they identify.

Program: Parents and their children meet every two weeks, for 16 weeks, (8 sessions total) for both a psycho educational group experience and group therapy. Children have a safe space to explore and process their gender identity and parents learn more about what it means for their child to have gender dysphoria, identify gender non-conforming, and/or transgender. Parents also learn how best to support their child in several areas of their life, such as extended family issues, issues at school or in public places (bathrooms), legal issues, and what ever other issues are concerns for parents to process.

Structure of Program: Based on the needs of the program, and new potential participants, a new 20 week program will start every 4 months. I believe in collaborating with my patients on their needs and hope this is a program that myself, the children, and their parents can build and make stronger together.

Format: Parents and children meet separately for 1.5 hours. Parents meet with one co-therapist in one room while children meet with the other co-therapist in the play therapy room.

Parents' session: Each session is split into two parts, 45 minutes of education about gender dysphoria and 45 minutes to process with other parents about their journey with gender dysphoria. Every week parents learn a different lesson about gender dysphoria, the transitioning process, and ways to talk with their children about their experiences and needs.

Age Groups: Group therapy sessions for children will be divided based on age. This is done to structure sessions based on developmental stages/needs of the children:

Resolute Rainbow Tot's: 4-6 years old

Resolute Rainbow Tiny's: 7-9 year olds

Resolute Rainbow Little's: 10-12 year olds

Resolute Rainbow Teens: 13-17 year olds

Tot's and Tiny's Children's session: Each session is split into two parts, 30 minutes of structured activity that focuses on helping the child learn more about their gender identity and 60 minutes of unstructured play time, in which children can get to know and play with other children who also have gender dysphoria, identify as gender-expansive/creative, gender non-conforming, or transgender.

Little's and Teens sessions: Each session is split into two parts, 30 minutes of structured activity that focuses on helping the pre-teens and teens learn more about their gender identity and 60 minutes of unstructured group psychotherapy in which these pre-teens and teens can share their experiences and work through mental health issues that accompany their struggle with gender dysphoria or coping with societal pressures and/or oppression.

Goal for kids and teens: So often kiddos who identify as gender non-conforming or transgender feel isolated and alone in their journey. Many have never met another child who is in the same boat. Resolute Rainbows hopes to change this by bringing children together and helping them see that they are not alone and that there is no one right way to be a boy, a girl, somewhere in between, or just a person in general. There is only their unique, individual way. I hope to help kids explore not only their gender identity but their strengths and resiliency as well.

Goal for parents: Parents whose children have gender dysphoria, or identify as gender non-conforming or transgender, can feel alone in their journey as well. Many have never met another child, or parent/s, who's child is also in the same boat. Resolute Rainbows hopes to change this by bringing parents together and helping them see that they are not alone and that child's uniqueness is an amazing thing. That they and their child will be okay. I would like this to be a space for parents to feel safe to express any concerns they have, potentially grieve the loss of their dreams of having a little boy or girl, discuss their fears for their child's future in today's current world, and know that no matter their concerns they will only receive compassion and understanding at Resolute. Like the children, I hope for parents to leave feeling less fearful, supported, having correct information, having helpful community resources, and able to recognize their strengths and resiliency as parents as well.

Dates and Times: To be determined. Groups will meet continuously, as long as the need is present and the group sizes do not diminish substantially. Education and lesson formats will run on an every 16th week group rotation, so that new members can benefit from material shared with existing parents and children in the groups.

Cost: Your insurance will be billed for group therapy (CPT code 90853). Resolute Therapy accepts all major insurances; however, you need to call your insurance company to ask if group therapy is covered under your plan. Click here for a list of questions to ask your insurance provider. If insurance does not cover, the fee is $45 for each session. $45.00 out of pocket covers both the parent and child sessions.

Questions? Concerns? Please email or call with any questions or concerns that you have. I look forward to working with you and your child!

Heather Morgan-Sowada, Ph.D, LMFT

She/Her/Hers

Lead Therapist

Founder, Resolute Therapy, LLC & Resolute Rainbows

heather@resolutetherapy.org

319-210-8093

Remi Andrews, LMFT, RPT

He/Him/His

Co-Therapist, Resolute Rainbows

Founder, Beacon Inclusive Therapy Services

remi@beaconinclusive.org