The Weight We Carry Support Group
Ongoing registration | 8 PM EST | Thursdays
|Virtual
You've been managing everything: appointments, meltdowns, therapies, the grief you haven't had time to name, and perhaps, the marriage strain no one sees. Most of that stays inside because there hasn't been anywhere to put it. This group is that place. Sixteen weeks. A small circle of fathers.
Time & Location
Ongoing registration | 8 PM EST | Thursdays
Virtual
About the Group
Fatherhood changes when a child needs more.
Many fathers are expected to stay strong, stay practical, and keep everything moving. What often goes unacknowledged is how much this journey reshapes a man’s inner world, relationships, and sense of self over time.
The Weight We Carry is a 16-week clinician-led support group created specifically for fathers who are navigating the emotional weight of raising a child with additional needs; often quietly, and often alone. This group offers a structured, honest space to process the realities that fathers often carry quietly: diagnosis, grief, systems fatigue, provider pressure, marriage/relationship strain, burnout, identity shifts, and the long view toward the future.
This is not a parenting class or a place for judgment or performance. It is a place for fathers to be supported as fathers.
What Fathers Will Gain
Language for what they have been carrying
Greater emotional awareness without shame
Support around stress, burnout, and advocacy fatigue
Tools for connection in marriage and family life
A clearer, steadier way to think about the future
Community with other fathers who understand
Confidentiality
Everything shared in this group stays in this group. Confidentiality is a standard practice here, not a favor.
About Clinicians
The Groups will be led by one of the licensed clinicians at Elra Wellness Group
Led by Dr. Linda Iyebote, an experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in psychotherapy and in supporting families navigating the emotional and relational impact of disability and developmental differences. Dr. Iyebote's work is grounded in both clinical expertise and personal experience. Dr. Iyebote has also conducted and published research on the lived experiences of fathers raising children with autism.
Led by Elijah Thomas, a disability-informed, person-centered clinician who works with adolescents, adults, couples, and families who are seeking meaningful, lasting change. He partners with clients to explore the underlying factors contributing to their struggles, develop practical coping skills, strengthen communication and relationships, and build healthier ways of responding to life's challenges. Using a disability-informed lens, Elijah provides a safe, nonjudgmental space for fathers raising children with autism to process their grief, navigate the complexities of parenting, and make room for the full range of emotions that can accompany their experiences.
Program Details
16 Weeks
75-minute weekly sessions
Small group format (6-10 fathers - Space is intentionally limited to maintain depth and consistency within the group)
Guidebook required to support reflection between sessions
Guidebook: $9.99 one-time purchase (Click here to purchase)
Investment
$45 per 75-minute session
Sessions are billed weekly to reserve your place in the group.
How Enrollment Works
Submit your request to join the group.
Purchase guidebook ($9.99) to secure your place in the group.
Receive a follow-up email with next steps.
Complete short intake, sign consent, and setup payment through our secure client portal.
Receive confirmation with Zoom link and start date.
FAQ
Is this therapy?
No. This is a support group, not individual or group therapy. It is a structured, clinician-led space for mothers and fathers to process what they're carrying, alongside others who understand it firsthand.
Will I have to share personal details in front of the group?
Only what you’re comfortable sharing. There’s no pressure to disclose more than you want to. What you do share stays in the group. Confidentiality is standard practice here, not a favor.
Do I need a formal autism diagnosis for my child to join?
No. This group is open to mothers or fathers raising children with autism or other developmental differences, whether or not you have a formal diagnosis yet.
Is this covered by insurance?
No, this group is private pay only and isn’t billed through insurance.
What if I miss a week?
Life happens. One missed session won’t remove you from the group, but because the group is small and cumulative, we ask that you attend as consistently as you can so the group stays connected.
Why is a guidebook required?
The guidebook supports reflection between sessions so the work doesn’t stop when the call ends. It’s a one-time $9.99 purchase and required to hold your place in the group.
What happens after I say I’m interested?
Nothing is decided yet. We’ll follow up personally, walk you through the guidebook purchase, a short intake, and a consent form, then send you your Zoom link and start date.
Do I have to be married to join this group?
No. You can join this group regardless of relationship status.