Helping Heal Little Hearts
Group Therapy for Children Affected by Gun Violence
A supportive, age-appropriate space for children ages 5–9 and 10–12 to process what they’ve experienced, build coping skills, and begin healing together.
Tuesdays | Saint Paul, MN
Ages 5–9: 4–5 PM
Ages 10–12: 5–7 PM
Helping Heal Little Hearts
Group Therapy for Children Affected by Gun Violence
A supportive, age-appropriate space for children ages 5–9 and 10–12 to process what they’ve experienced, build coping skills, and begin healing together.
Tuesdays | Saint Paul, MN
Ages 5–9: 4–5 PM
Ages 10–12: 5–7 PM
Helping Heal Little Hearts
Group Therapy for Children Affected by Gun Violence
A supportive, age-appropriate space for children ages 5–9 and 10–12 to process what they’ve experienced, build coping skills, and begin healing together.
Tuesdays | Saint Paul, MN
Ages 5–9: 4–5 PM
Ages 10–12: 5–7 PM
Helping Heal Little Hearts
Group Therapy for Children Affected by Gun Violence
A supportive, age-appropriate space for children ages 5–9 and 10–12 to process what they’ve experienced, build coping skills, and begin healing together.
Tuesdays | Saint Paul, MN
Ages 5–9: 4–5 PM
Ages 10–12: 5–7 PM
When a child experiences or witnesses gun violence at school, the impact does not always end when the immediate danger has passed.
Children may be left with big feelings, questions, fears, or changes in how safe the world around them feels. Finding the words to explain those experiences can be difficult, especially for younger children.
Helping Heal Little Hearts offers a safe, supportive place for children to begin working through those feelings alongside peers who understand.
Through play-based activities, guided expression, and compassionate support, children are gently encouraged to reconnect with a sense of safety, confidence, hope, and resilience.
A Place for Kids to Feel Safe, Express Themselves, and Heal
Children process difficult experiences differently than adults. Play, creativity, behavior, questions, and emotions can all become ways of communicating what may be difficult to put into words.
Helping Heal Little Hearts is designed with those developmental needs in mind.
In a gentle, age-appropriate environment, children have opportunities to:
Learn safe ways to express difficult feelings
Build a greater sense of safety and emotional security
Develop coping skills to use outside of the group
Practice compassion for themselves and others
Connect with peers who have experienced something similar
Begin processing difficult experiences at an appropriate pace
Children do not need to have the right words or be ready to talk about everything that happened. The group provides a supportive space for expression, connection, and healing.
Support for Parents and Caregivers
Supporting a child after an experience with gun violence can leave parents and caregivers with questions, too.
What should I say?
How much should I ask?
Is this reaction normal?
How can I help my child feel safe again?
Parent and caregiver guidance is available as needed throughout the group experience, with practical tools to help support continued healing at home.
Parents do not need to have all the answers before reaching out.
Meet Dr. Stefanie Bauer PsyD, LP
EDUCATION
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
BA, 2003
Minnesota School of Professional Psychology
PsyD, 2007
ACTIVITIES & AFFILIATIONS
• American Psychological Association (APA)
• Minnesota Psychological Association (MPA)
• Minnesota Women in Psychology (MWP)
LICENSED
• Minnesota LP5037
Dr. Bauer has extensive experience supporting children impacted by gun violence in schools.
Dr. Bauer’s approach recognizes that every child may respond differently to a frightening or traumatic experience. Helping Heal Little Hearts provides a safe, supportive environment that honors each child’s unique stage of grief, developmental needs, and individual experience.
Little Hearts Group Details
When: Tuesdays
Ages 5–9: 4–5 PM
Ages 10–12: 5–7 PM
Location: Life Ripples, 1595 Selby Avenue, Suite 112, Saint Paul, MN 55104
Is Helping Heal Little Hearts Right for Your Child?
If your child has been affected by gun violence at school and you are wondering whether this group could provide the support your child needs, reach out to Dr. Bauer to learn more.
A conversation can help answer your questions and determine whether Helping Heal Little Hearts may be an appropriate fit for your child.
Call: (612) 787-2828
Email: drbauer@liferippl.es