Out At Home

CLINICAL CARE AND SUPPORT FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY

The Home for Little Wanderers’ Out at Home program provides outpatient, therapeutic support services for LGBTQ+ individuals of all ages, families, couples and caregivers. It is operated in coordination with Waltham House, The Home’s residential group home for LGBTQ+ youth—the first of its kind in New England when it opened in 2002.

Many young people have experienced difficulty and discrimination due to their gender expression or sexual identities. Out at Home was created with the goal of providing LGBTQ+ competent clinical care, with a strong emphasis on keeping youth within their home environments and communities by offering comprehensive, specialized services and resources that educate, support, strengthen and empower.

Our clinicians offer innovative, ever-evolving programming, whether providing in-person or virtual clinical care, leading confidence and community-building group sessions, or counseling LGBTQ+ students in Greater Boston schools and colleges.

PRIMARY GOALS OF OUT AT HOME

• Offer competent, clinical services to folks in the LGBTQ+ community, including their family members and other supports, by providing individual, family, couples and group therapy
• Connect prospective clients to clinicians who have both specialized training and lived experience
• Provide training and consultation to organizations in the community to further access to capable providers
• Offer a minimal barrier approach to access Gender Affirming Care

SERVICES WE OFFER

• Individual therapy sessions for the LGBTQ+ community with licensed and master’s level clinicians
• Family therapy, group therapy and couples counseling with licensed and master’s level clinicians
• Trauma-informed therapeutic approaches with emphasis on the complex and intersectional needs and vulnerabilities of our diverse clients
• Clinicians who can provide EMDR, Dance and Movement Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, CBT, DBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing and a variety of other generalist practices
• Collaboration and support within and outside of our home state of Massachusetts to support the LGBTQ+ community in accessing affirming and competent care with their providers
• The provision of letters of support for Gender Affirming Surgery following assessment
• Life skills support and community resource connections
• Professional development and instruction services

GROUP OFFERINGS

Confidence Crew
Confidence Crew is a group space where LGBTQ+ youth can work on confidence and social skills. This group targets youth who may feel they do not have others in their social environment that they can be their full self with. This group is heavily activity-based and we have fun things to try, do and create each week. During our time together, we work on skills to build and foster healthy relationships.
Max Group Size: 10
Age Range: 12-14
Time and Location: Thursdays from 5:30pm-7:00pm at 780 American Legion Highway, Roslindale, MA. This is an ongoing group with rolling enrollment.
Who is appropriate: This group is for anyone who identifies as trans, gender non-conforming, non-binary, questioning or gender creative.
Contact: Annie Atwater, LICSW (she/her) at 857.225.7084 

SAGA: Sexuality and Gender Alliance
In SAGA, we use the framework of art, expressive arts and sensory experiences, self-care and non-judgemental approaches to health to build coping and stress management skills, as we explore our gender and body comfort, as well as discuss social factors that restrain us from being our true selves.  
Max Group Size: 12
Age Range: 14-18
Time and Location: Every Tuesday from 5:30pm-6:30pm virtually, with occasional in-person sessions in Boston, MA. This is an ongoing group that will run through the spring and fall school semesters with rolling enrollment. The spring group starts in late January or early February and the fall group starts in mid September.
Who is appropriate: Anyone who identifies as trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming or questioning.
Contact: Zoe Liu, MA (she/her) at 617.467.0288 

Caregiver Support for Families of Youth Experiencing Suicidal Ideation
This support and therapy group is designed for caregivers of LGBTQ+ kids and teens who experience persistent and intense suicidal ideation. Often, caregivers who have a child struggling with suicidal thoughts or a suicidal event find they themselves face ongoing pain and trauma. Many families report that this leaves them feeling isolated, and as though other parents cannot or will not understand them. This group is a place where caregivers can have their needs tended to as well, and receive mutual support, education and therapeutic tools. Group content will focus on shared experiences, peer support and strategy development to cope with mental health needs related to youth acuity.
Max Group Size: 12
Age Range: 18+
Time and Location: Wednesdays from 6:00pm-7:30pm at 10 Guest Street, Boston. Parking is available for group members. 
Who is appropriate: This group is open to any caregiver or family member of youth experiencing suicidal ideation, especially those who have found their child’s experiences to be “too intense” for other parenting support groups.
Contact: Annie Atwater, LICSW (she/they) at 857.225.7084

Lavender Lens Monthly Workshop and Community Building Event
Lavender Lens is a new monthly workshop series, serving the goal of continuing to build LGBTQ+ affirming community and connection. We meet each month to discuss queer culture, history and experience, focusing on the specific interest and needs of our community. This is a group focused on the queer sensibility and is a unique opportunity to have a discussion with an all-queer group of people in a non-therapeutic space.
Max Group Size: No limit!
Age Range: Please check each month for the age range for the upcoming workshop.
Time and Location: Time will be determined each month. All events will alternate between being online and in person at 780 American Legion Highway, Roslindale.
Who is appropriate: Anyone who is looking to connecting with the local community and deepen their understanding of who we are as queer folks.
Contact: Tyler Wansley (he/him) at twansley@thehome.org

Empowered Connections: Couples Communication Skills Group
This group provides a space for couples to develop and practice communication skills with the goal of deepening their connection and fostering a healthier relationship.
Max Group Size: 5-6 couples
Age Range: 18+
Time and Location: Tuesdays from 11:45am-1:00pm via Zoom starting Nov. 28, 2023.
Who is appropriate: This group is for partners looking to work on their relationship by improving their communication. This group is for couples in all stages of their relationship and supports couples in navigating a variety of complex issues. We request that both partners join each session. If you have questions about whether this group would be a good fit for you and your relationship, please contact us.
Contact: Grace Wexler (they/she) at 617.735.7055 or gwexler@thehome.org
Before joining the group, new members will need to have a short consultation (available via phone) with the therapist leading the group.