FAQs for Teens

Own Your Way may be a good fit if you’re an autistic teen who wants to better understand yourself, feel more confident advocating for your needs, navigate friendships and relationships, or learn ways to care for yourself that actually work for you.

You don’t need to have everything figured out — or even feel completely comfortable in groups — to participate. You just need to be open to exploring, connecting, and learning alongside other autistic teens.

If you’re not sure whether Own Your Way is the right fit, that’s okay! We can talk together about what you’re looking for, what you hope to get out of the group, and whether this group feels like a good match for you.

Own Your Way is for autistic teens who are looking for community, connection, and the opportunity to learn alongside peers who may understand some of what they are experiencing.

The teens in the group will have different personalities, interests, strengths, challenges, and experiences. Some may have experiences that feel very familiar to you, while others may have experiences that are completely different. You don't have to relate to everyone to benefit from being part of the group.

Some teens may be excited to jump into conversations and activities, while others may take more time to warm up. Some may be comfortable talking about their experiences, while others may prefer to listen and observe at first. There is room for different communication styles and different ways of participating.

What everyone has in common is a desire to better understand themselves, connect with others, and develop skills that can help them navigate life in a way that feels more authentic and sustainable.

Own Your Way is intentionally kept small to create a comfortable, supportive environment where everyone has space to participate and be heard. The group will be limited to no more than 6 participants.

A small group allows for meaningful connection, individualized support, and opportunities to practice skills in a safe and manageable setting.

Absolutely! We understand that joining a new group — and meeting new people — can feel unfamiliar or even a little uncomfortable at first. There is no expectation that you have to jump right in.

We welcome you to take your time settling in, getting to know the group, and deciding when and how you would like to participate. You are always encouraged to participate at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Sometimes listening and observing is an important first step toward feeling more connected and ready to share.

No need to worry, we'll work through it together! Let the group facilitator know as soon as possible if you recognize someone in the group or have concerns about being in the same group as someone you know. We can talk through the situation with you and determine what makes the most sense for next steps.

To help protect privacy and create a comfortable environment for participants, we do not allow students from the same school to attend Helix groups at the same time. If an unexpected overlap or other concern comes up, we'll address it thoughtfully and prioritize everyone's comfort and privacy.

Yes. Privacy and confidentiality are important parts of creating a safe group environment. Information shared in therapy is generally kept confidential and protected by privacy laws, including HIPAA, with some important exceptions.

There are circumstances in which a therapist may be required or permitted to share information, for example, when there is a serious concern about someone's safety or when reporting is required by law. If a safety concern comes up, we will talk with you about what is happening and, whenever possible, involve you in decisions about what information needs to be shared and with whom.

We also talk with group members about the importance of respecting one another's privacy. While we ask everyone to keep what is shared in the group private, we cannot guarantee what another participant may choose to share outside of group. For this reason, we encourage participants to be thoughtful about what they choose to share and to ask questions whenever they are unsure.

The group meets on Fridays from 3:30–5:00 PM, and each session is 90 minutes.

Own Your Way is not intended to be a “forever group.” We recognize that every teen has different needs, and some participants may benefit from being part of the group for a longer period of time than others. Your group facilitator will regularly check in with you and work with you to determine how long participating in the group makes sense for you.

The goal is to make sure your time in group is purposeful and supportive — not to keep you in group longer than you need to be.

That’s always an option! Group therapy does not necessarily replace individual therapy.

We can provide weekly individual therapy alongside group for teens who would benefit from both. Individual therapy offers a more private space to work on personal goals, challenges, or topics that may not feel appropriate to discuss in a group setting.

Your therapist can help you determine whether participating in both individual and group therapy makes sense for your needs and goals.

Absolutely! We know you're coming to Helix after school, so there will be time to decompress, grab a snack, and have something to drink before settling into group activities.

Food and drinks will be available when you arrive, and you're welcome to bring your own favorite snack or beverage, too. Taking a little time to breathe, refuel, and transition out of the school day is an important part of taking care of yourself.