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.

Big same. That’s why I built this differently. One group attendee said, "I was picturing the sad basement group therapy from Fight Club. This was way better than that!"

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 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 20 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.

You can learn a LOT more about my coaching practice for couples and individuals (and leaders, nonprofits, etc) by clicking the button below and going to my main coaching website or you can see the TL;DR version here.

Go to Roots & Keys

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

These programs provide tools and insights to navigate life transitions and challenges effectively, to communicate well, to establish and hold boundaries.

This includes classes, processing groups, and multi-session closed groups.

Current offerings:

Communication Bootcamp: half-day, intensive work on communication + conflict resolution. (Surprisingly fun.)

November 1

Holiday support group: Low structure opportunity to connect with others around workshopping ways to stay emotionally safe and fully sane during the holiday season with your MAGA relatives. November 19.

Registration is now open! The winter cohort of the three-part Relationship Summer School will meet monthly beginning January 3.

Sunday Sessions: Not Church

Coffee, Connections, Community

An 8 part biweekly dialogue/learning hybrid class on Sunday morning beginning August 10 and running through November.

This is great for folks who desire community but don’t go to church or don’t have a religious community. Deep guided conversation (or you can just listen) + meaningful connections.

There are only two regular sessions left; the next one is November 2 and the topic of the dialogue is: "Childhood dreams, inner child, and self-soothing: honoring our most authentic selves" (Past Amy™ was quite ambitious with this one! This conversation could be a big one.)

Each individual session is $45 and 2-3 people can enroll in addition to the regular group members. We meet 10 am- 1130 am. I provide coffee and tea.

Free* Stuff

For Community + Friendship

NOTE: SOLD OUT (so keep your eyes peeled for the next one!)

Making friends as an adult can be hard—especially in a city like STL where social circles can feel locked in since high school. This free*, in-person event is like speed-dating, but for friendship: short, guided 1:1 conversations, and zero pressure. I promise it won't be awkward!

#FriendRequest: Come meet new people, practice your social skills, and maybe even leave with a few real connections.

The next one is November 9 at 5pm (ending at 7pm so you'll be home in plenty of time to prepare for the week ahead)

*Notes on "free"...I have learned that people are more likely to flake on RSVPs for free things. So there is a $10 nonrefundable charge to ensure folks show up.

If you show up, the $10 goes towards providing food + drink...if you don't, it goes towards providing food + drinks for the people who do!

A Fun (Not Awkward) Workshop for Couples

Interactive One-off Experiences

This workshops is called #Relationship Goals (ft my husband, Rodney Prather, who is also a counselor, as co-facilitator). We did this workshop in 2022 and decided to bring it back in 2025.

The end of the year is a time of reflection, looking back at the past year, and planning for how you want things to be in the coming year. What better time to focus on #RelationshipGoals?

In this interactive workshop, you will be invited to take an honest look at how things are going and decide together how you want them to be. I know holidays are busy, but it's worth making time for your relationship!

Join us on December 6. Fees are $225 per couple.

"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)