Solstice East, a residential treatment center for female and transgender students ages 14-17, has started a monthly virtual support group for parents. The virtual support group takes place via Zoom. These groups will be held at a set time in the evenings for an hour and fifteen minutes.

The Parent Support Group is currently co-facilitated by Executive Director Danielle Andrews and Clinical Director Caitlin Crolley. Parents of students at Solstice East are welcome to join and participate. The mix of new parents and those that have more experience with Solstice East makes for a safe space for parents to share their experiences. The support group gives parents more time to connect with their parent peers in a structured space with the assistance of Solstice East staff. 

“During the pandemic, we really had to mix things up and we held our family seminars on Zoom,” says Clinical Director Caitlin Crolley. “Recently, we thought something is missing here; we hold family therapy sessions on Zoom every day so why shouldn’t we hold a virtual parent support group monthly and spread out the family therapy information creating consistency with our parents?”

“It’s so very helpful to know others are sharing the same lonely and difficult road we are traveling, and learn from the things they share,” said one Solstice East parent after attending the first support group. 

“It’s been incredible to witness the connection, support, and vulnerability between parents in this group; we’re overjoyed and inspired by our families’ courage and work toward growth and healing,” says Executive Director Danielle Andrews.

Solstice East believes that this support group is a good opportunity for parents to meet and interact. Following introductions by the Executive Director and Clinical Director, parents are encouraged to share their family background and experience with Solstice East and their peers. The Solstice East team seeks to identify common themes among the discussion so that parents realize that they are not alone in their experiences. Parents can also submit discussion requests to the Clinical Director if there is a certain theme or topic for discussion. The support group is meant to encourage a greater support system and community between families and clinicians at Solstice East. 

For more information about Solstice East’s clinical model, please visit https://solsticeeast.com/therapy

About Solstice East

Solstice East is a residential treatment center for young women ages 14-17 nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains just outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Solstice East is committed to treating each student through a combination of individual, family, equine, and adventure therapies as well as treating and diagnosing a range of issues including (but not limited to) trauma, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, self-harming behaviors, attachment, and identity issues. Solstice East assists adolescents and their families in developing excellence in relationships, influence, character, and health throughout their life journey. Our holistic approach acknowledges that mental health diagnoses are only one piece of the puzzle; we strive to help young women succeed in multiple areas of their lives.