Group work for people who don't like group work...

If you're anything like me, you’re not a “group person.” You’re not interested in holding hands and chanting affirmations or sitting in a circle waiting to receive the talking stick. You want to have meaningful conversations and come away better. You like learning, but you don't want to feel uncomfortable. Right? Me too.

This is group work for smart, introspective people who want to actually learn something. It’s not therapy, and it’s not just a support group. It’s processing space, sure, but also skill-building in real time, with other humans who are also here to grow and learn together. It's a way of being in community, with intention. (You might even make friends, but you don't have to.)

My name is Amy Miller (she/they), and as you know, I'm a clinical social worker, coach, mediator, facilitator, speaker, writer, mom, and wife. I'm 46, perimenopausal, frequently full of rage at the machine, introverted (although I fake it well), and I cuss a lot. My role(s) in life are: catalyst, collector, and connector: I make change happen, I collect amazing people, and I put them together.

In my groups and classes, we focus on:

Learning how to do things differently—how to speak clearly, listen better, navigate conflict, hold boundaries, repair damage, and stay connected
Empathy, peer support, and psychological safety
Structured, thoughtful sessions that build insight and capacity
Holding space for what group members may need, but with strong facilitation to ensure balance

I promise you don’t have to love groups to get something useful out of this work. You just have to be willing to show up with curiosity and an open mind. All are welcome.

photo by Jenna Grissom (jelizabethphotos.com)

Learn more about Amy

What does it mean to "hold space"? Holding space means creating room for the truth—without judgment, fixing, or rushing. It’s the practice of being fully present with what’s real: the mess, the clarity, the stuck spots, the breakthroughs. It’s about listening deeply, asking better questions, and staying with someone (or yourself) through the discomfort of growth. At Roots & Keys, holding space isn’t passive. It’s intentional, active, and rooted in respect. It’s about making room for what matters—so you can hear yourself more clearly and do the work that actually changes things.

Held Space STL:
COACHING IN COMMUNITY

What is Held Space STL?

It's an extension of all my other work...

Held Space STL is the group work arm of my life + relationship coaching practice Roots & Keys Coaching. I have always enjoyed group work, but after the pandemic, folks are still reporting feeling disconnected and lacking social connections.

This is an attempt to mitigate that: everything is designed specifically for regular people who want honest conversation, real tools, and a comfortable, informal space to learn (without the weird group therapy vibes). It's in the same location; the suite next door to my office holds up to 15 people comfortably.

These small groups, free community gatherings, and skill-building workshops are for anyone who desires better relationships, more effective communication, and overall happier and easier lives.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to work with me—or you’ve been a client in the past—this is an extension of that same work: clear, grounded, and bullshit-free. Just with other humans in the room.

The added bonus is that group work is considerably more affordable than 1:1 or couples work, which in the ... shall we say, "current state of the world" is often a consideration, I know. You can obviously still book 1:1 and relationship sessions with me, as well, and use group stuff to complement the work we're doing there. Whatever works for your life + your budget.

More About Coaching

CURRENT PROGRAMS

(These will change as I have new ideas or lose interest in old ones! Registration links in orange)

Getting Better at Being Human

Classes and other stuff

SUMMER GROUP SESSIONS: May through August 2026

Each month has three sessions:

*One Sunday Deep Dive (2 hours, 10am–12pm, $85)

*One Saturday “Workshop” (2 hours, 1–3pm, $85)

*One Wednesday Evening Group (90 minutes, 6–7:30pm, $60)

You can come to all of it, or just one session. You can come to everything in one month and skip another. The flexibility is the point! But you can also come to everything and spend a lot of time with me and on yourself! (I would love that)

NOTES: Any group that does not have at least 5 people enrolled will be canceled and refunded. In my experience, the best group size is 5-9.

Some of these topics we've covered in various ways this past 18 months, but every group is different and there's always more to uncover. So don't let it stop you!

Click here to view the whole list of sessions.

Sunday Sessions: Not Church

Coffee, Connections, Community

For April through August, there is ONE Sunday Not Church session per month, in the form of a two-hour DEEP DIVE.

Each session is $85 for two hours. You can register separately or for all of them.

Here are the topics and dates:

April 19: Failure + Growth

May 17: Attachment + How We Love

June 14: Anger

July 12: Why Not Church? (Or synagogue, mosque, etc)

August 9: Belonging + Connection

For Women

Rearview Mirror (one spot left)

Phrases like "Women's Empowerment Workshop" are not really my vibe...but if it were, that's what this is.

This is a follow up session to the March women's group since we didn't get to all the things and we had such a good time! But you don't have to have attended that one.

This is an opportunity for humans who identify as or were socialized as girls/women to be in community with others while taking a deep, loving look at who you were, who you are, and who you're growing into.

In this 3 hour informal, casual workshop, participants will explore identity beyond roles and productivity, clarify core values, examine your inner voice, and reflect on your relationship with your body, mind, and spirit. May 2, 1-4pm, $145

A Fun (Not Awkward) Workshop for Couples

Conflict + Repair Agreements: A Practical Skills Session

This is another co-facilitated session with my husband, Rodney Prather. You do not need to have attended the previous #RelationshipGoals workshop to benefit from this session. BUT if you did attend, this is the natural next step where intentions turn into skills.

The difference between relationships that grow and relationships that erode over time is not whether conflict happens, but how it’s handled and how quickly and effectively repair happens afterward.

This session is focused on giving you real, usable tools for navigating conflict without damaging trust, safety, or connection.

This session is for couples who are doing pretty well but want to level up their skills. You want fewer unresolved fights, less emotional damage, and more confidence that you can face difficult conversations while staying on the same team. We got you!

Join us on May 30 at 1p. Fees are $225 per couple.

Click here to see full calendar

"This Actually Does Not Suck"

Real clients, in their own words:

Paula O

"Amy is a natural facilitator who puts everyone at ease. As a person who doesn't get too emotional or expressive, I have been pleasantly surprised that talking about my feelings in a group can be fun. The group setting has been a great way to get to know some lovely humans, and myself, a lot better." (Paula O)

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"Amy's superpower is dismantling defensiveness and enabling vulnerability. Even among a group of perfect strangers, after one hour of facilitated discussion with Amy, you can't help but feel like you're chatting with old friends." (Scott W)