therealworkpdx

01/20/2026

Next Special Interest Group: Dinos! 2/8 3:00-4:00 at The Real Work: 4775 SW Watson Ave
Sign up at link in bio or on our website!

What is the format of the groups?
There will be a facilitator present (Gabi) as well as 1-2 volunteers associated with the Real Work. Group gatherings will be one hour in length. There will be some materials provided related to the monthly topic, and your child is encouraged to bring their own items to show and tell too! Parents and/or caregivers will be asked to stay present for the duration of the group.

As described above, this will be a low pressure space to simply hang out, connect, and hyperfocus in the company of other neurodivergent kids. The facilitators will not be “teaching skills” but skills may be learned naturally. The facilitators will be there to host the groups, connect and interact with kids who would like to, and provide opportunities for kids to connect with each other when appropriate.

Currently, we are capping group meet ups at 5 families.

Learn more about the group facilitator, Gabi, on her bio here!

What are the days/times of groups?
Our special interest groups are hosted once/month. They take place every SECOND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH from 3-4 pm. They are one hour in length.

What are the topics of groups?
Every 3-6 months, we will host a different “series” of special interest topics. Within each series, there will be a more specific topic of the month. We are hoping this will allow kids who have very niche special interests to connect, while also offering the opportunity to attend the whole series for those interested.

Right now we are in our SCIENCE series!

Other topics to look forward to include video games, vehicles, and creating/building… you can sign up to be notified when the next series of special interest groups is announced!

We decided which topics to offer based on your feedback (thank you!) If you’d like to share what your child’s special interest is to inform future topics, you can email Gabi at gabi@realworkwellness.com.

01/19/2026

At our animals and insects special interest gathering, we worked on a puzzle, read all about animals, colored, and played an animal-themed scavenger hunt bingo!

We also had some fun sensory activities with sand and miniature animals, and lots of stuffed animals to squeeze!

01/18/2026

If you are wondering whether play therapy might help your child, you are not alone.

Many children communicate through play when words feel hard to find, and play can be an especially helpful way to communicate about tough situations, relationship struggles, stress, or trauma.

Play therapy offers a developmentally appropriate space where feelings, experiences, and questions can emerge safely and at the child’s pace.

Research shows that play based therapy can support emotional regulation, relational connection, and resilience, especially during times of stress or transition. Progress is often subtle and meaningful rather than immediate or dramatic.

Choosing support can be a way of meeting your child where they are with curiosity and care, and providing them with positive associations with mental health care! This sets them up for success and support throughout their life!

If you are considering play therapy and want a thoughtful conversation about next steps, The Real Work is here to support you. Check out our website for more information about how play therapy helps kids heal, grow, and develop resilience.

01/07/2026

Ever wondered what it feels like when a child gets to speak in their own language in therapy? Meet Kimia Amirifar, LPC! In Kimia’s playroom at The Real Work, toys, art, and imagination provide ways for kids explore big feelings and develop new skills, but the most important part of the playroom is THE RELATIONSHIP between therapist and child!

What often stands out to parents is how grounded and relational Kimia’s work feels. Children practice expressing needs, navigating boundaries, and exploring emotions while being closely supported by an attuned adult. Parents are part of the process too, receiving guidance that helps skills from the playroom carry into everyday life. This kind of caregiver-inclusive, relationship-based care is strongly supported in trauma-informed and attachment-focused research, which shows that kids do best when regulation and connection are built together (Perry, 2006; Siegel, 2012). It is thoughtful, developmentally appropriate support that fits real kids and real families.

Kimia has 4 new openings for Play Therapy with kids ages 3-10 🌸 Please email us if you're interested in her support! admin@realworkwellness.com

01/06/2026

Play therapy works by creating a safe, attuned therapeutic relationship in which your child leads through play and the therapist reflects, supports, and sometimes gently guides the process. The therapist observes your child’s play behaviors and themes to understand their inner experience, unmet needs, and areas of stress or conflict. Over time, children learn to regulate emotions, solve problems, and develop healthier ways of relating to others. Your child might use toys, art materials, puppets, sand, or symbolic games as tools for expression. Each medium is an avenue for communicating thoughts and feelings that may not be easily verbalized. Learn more at ORAPT (Oregon Association for Play Therapy) and

01/04/2026

Why Continuing to Get Our Kids Outside Matters This Winter: This time of year can bring intensity for many families: shorter days, more time indoors, and sensory and social demands that feel like a lot. For some children and teens, traditional indoor expectations can overwhelm. What we’ve noticed with our community is the unique reset and steadiness the outdoors can offer. The wider space, fresh air, and whole-body movement provide sensory input that feels grounding without pressure. Our nature-based social groups, led by therapists trained in sensory and relational support, welcome small groups of 3–5 kids. These groups create gentle opportunities for movement, exploration, and connection in ways that honor each child’s sensory preferences. We also encourage families to notice what brings ease in the day-to-day and make space for it, even when the weather feels challenging. If your child seeks heavier sensory input, space to move, or simply an environment with fewer spoken expectations, nature may be a meaningful context right now. Learn more about Nature-Based Therapy and Nature-Based Groups at the link in our bio 😀🌿

01/01/2026

Happy New Year! We hope you find what you need in this next season as well as support, community, and care. With Warmth, The Therapy Team at The Real Work

12/30/2025

Sneak Peek into our Cottage Playroom! Did you know that one of our playrooms is in a small, standalone building we call The Cottage? It's giving vintage, cozy vibes and our therapists are here for it :) Ideal for kiddos ages 3-9, and you can find both Tamara and Kimia in this playroom throughout the week! Meet the therapists and learn more about Play Therapy at the link in our bio! 🌈

12/30/2025

Finally… a space where your kid just gets to be their neurodivergent self. No agenda, no “goals,” no skill-building… just a safe space for neurodivergent kids to hyperfocus on the thing they love with other kids who are just as passionate as they are about their beloved special interest.

Perhaps your kid makes a new friend. Perhaps they build social navigation skills. It may happen naturally. But this is intended to be a no-pressure space. If your child wants to sit alone and “parallel play” next to other kids on their screen, they can. If they want to initiate conversations with other kids, they can.

The vision for the special interest social group is to create an opportunity for neurodivergent kids to meet other kids who they can relate to, who get them, who they can unmask with.

▶ Link in Bio to view our groups and join our waitlist

12/29/2025

More ways for kids to connect! As Thrive Outside joins The Real Work, we’re expanding social and nature-based group options for neurodivergent kids. This includes: • Nature-based OT groups • Special interest groups • Regulation-informed social experiences

These groups are built for kids who:
✔ Feel overwhelmed in typical social settings
✔ Thrive with shared interests and movement
✔ Need connection without pressure

Groups begin soon. Learn more at link in bio :)

12/28/2025

https://realwork.kit.com/posts/december-at-the-real-work-new-diagnoses-a-great-new-resource-and-nature

Learn from some of the best and most cutting edge child therapists practicing in a thriving collective in Portland Oregon!

11/13/2025

https://realwork.kit.com/posts/new-openings-with-kimia-at-the-real-work?_gl=1*nufwrs*_gcl_au*MTUzNTg3NDA2Ni4xNzYwNzI5OTk5LjE5NDMzNzg0MTMuMTc2MzA2MDIwMi4xNzYzMDYwMjAy

Learn from some of the best and most cutting edge child therapists practicing in a thriving collective in Portland Oregon!