Support Groups in Chicago, IL

Art Therapy Group
LCSW, LCPC, ATR
"Chicago Personal Growth Institute offers events, workshops, and group counseling. All series are designed by Licensed Clinical Psychotherapists to help clients on their personal growth journey with likeminded individuals. Clients enhance self-awareness skills, develop healthier self-care practices, increase emotional intelligence ..."
Not accepting new clients

Literature and Empathic Understanding
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
"I am starting a monthly clinical consultation group that will use poetry and memoir to help participants better understand and describe clients' and their own subjective experience. We will meet at a Lincoln Park location with parking, beginning November 2, ..."

Body Image Through Movement Group
Counselor, LCPC, R-DMT
Verified
Verified
"Improve body image and explore emotions through movement and other creative/expressive therapy modes. Led by registered dance movement therapist and body image specialist. "

Creative Expressions
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, ATR
Verified
Verified
"Creative Expressions is a safe and creative space where young adolescents can explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences through creative expression. Led by an experienced and compassionate Registered Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor, this group aims to foster personal ..."
Waitlist for new clients

Eating Disorder Peer Support Group
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
"A place to connect with others who are struggling with an eating disorder. A place to be seen, heard and validated. A place to receive feedback and support. Group runs in 8 week cohorts. Current ages are between 19 and ..."

Trauma and Addiction Recovery Groups
Psychologist, PsyD, CADC, CGP
Verified
Verified
"My 17 trauma-focused psychotherapy groups provide therapeutic spaces to experience the transformative power of healing in community. Together, members identify and unpack deep attachment wounds, change self-destructive behavioral patterns, and enrich their lives. My model is strength- and resiliency-based. I ..."

Relational Group Intensive
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, CGP
Verified
Verified
"Mixed gender group where members focus on relationship issues, shame reduction, and healing of dysfunctional patters. Active process work to achieve corrective experiences is used. Psychodrama, Gestalt processes, and other process work are part of the interventions. There are 3 ..."

Holistic Couple & Family Therapy
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MA
Verified
Verified
"We are a small groups practice dedicated to meeting the relational needs of Chicago. We have several clinicians who have focus on anxiety, depression, life transitions, family and couple relationships, and we are allies for the LGBTQ+ and BLM. "

Betrayed Daughters
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
"A group for adult women who are the casualties of infidelity. If your father was unfaithful in his marriage to your mother; this group is for you. Often, women are traumatized by their father's infidelity, yet, don't always make the ..."

Climbing Psychotherapy Group
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
"Have you ever wondered about the benefits of rock climbing on your mental health? This group will gather weekly for 2 hours to learn about the mind-body connection, integrate these concepts on the climbing wall, and build community with fellow ..."

Anxiety Support Group
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, CADC, NBCC
Verified
Verified
"This anxiety support group will allow you to build a community with people who could understand and relate to what you’re going through while also giving you a space to freely voice your concerns and worries without judgment as well ..."

Sexual Trauma Survivors Group
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
"This is a long-term, open process group for female survivors of sexual trauma that incorporates some skill-building, grounding techniques and body-centered interventions when appropriate. Participants can expect to 1) Discuss their experiences with other women who understand 2) Hear other ..."

Eating Disorder Support Group
Counselor, MA, LCPC
Verified
Verified
"A group designed for individuals struggling with eating issues, wanting to improve body image, those wishing to improve recovery efforts, and a place to connect with others that share similar struggles. "

Helping professionals support group
Counselor, LCPC, NCC
Verified
Verified
"Helping professionals need help too! This group is open to all helping professionals in the Chicagoland area and is focused on community support. Participants can expect to explore topics such as compassion fatigue, burnout, navigating personal triggers and mental health ..."

Managing With Mindfulness
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-AZ, LCSW-IL
Verified
Verified
"I work for a company based out of Chicago, IL. I am licensed to practice in both Illinois and Arizona. Please checkout the website for more information https://www.managingwithm indfulness.com/ "

Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse (OCT. 25, 2017)
PsyD, MA
Verified
Verified
"This group is offered to men who have been sexually abused. The aim of this group is to help men recover, cope, and discover helpful ways of managing this uncomfortable personal history in a supportive group environment. We meet one ..."

The Silent Struggle Virtual Processing Group
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, CAMS-II
Verified
Verified
"Ladies, are you anxiously feeling like the weight of the world is on your shoulders? Experiencing sadness due to constantly taking care of others, but neglecting yourself. Are you tired of silencing your voice even when you yearn to be ..."

It's My Mental Health For Me
Pre-Licensed Professional, MA
Verified
Verified
"A therapeutic group for adolescent girls (age 12-18). "
See more therapy options for Chicago
What is the difference between Group Therapy and a Support Group?
Chicago Support Groups and Group Therapy both offer a safe place to explore important issues. It is important, however, to understand the difference between the two.
Group therapy in Chicago is led by a therapist, group psychotherapist, or group counselor, and is generally structured around an issue. The therapist guides the group through a program as the group works together to better understand thoughts and feelings. Experienced therapists lead psychotherapy groups for various ages, such as adults, and specific issues including anger management, anxiety, and coping skills.
Support groups in Chicago are usually facilitated by a therapist or counselor, but can also be led by members with lived experiences. Generally, a support group is less structured than a therapy group. Support groups bring together members to provide support and strength to each other, often around a common challenge such as addiction or grief.
Most therapy groups will meet for a fixed length of time with a consistent group of members, while many support groups meet for an indefinite period of time with members coming and going.
Group therapy in Chicago is led by a therapist, group psychotherapist, or group counselor, and is generally structured around an issue. The therapist guides the group through a program as the group works together to better understand thoughts and feelings. Experienced therapists lead psychotherapy groups for various ages, such as adults, and specific issues including anger management, anxiety, and coping skills.
Support groups in Chicago are usually facilitated by a therapist or counselor, but can also be led by members with lived experiences. Generally, a support group is less structured than a therapy group. Support groups bring together members to provide support and strength to each other, often around a common challenge such as addiction or grief.
Most therapy groups will meet for a fixed length of time with a consistent group of members, while many support groups meet for an indefinite period of time with members coming and going.
Is Group Therapy Right For You?
Group therapy in Chicago allows you to benefit from the experiences and sharing of others. Listening to others, and recognizing what you have in common, allows you to learn about yourself. In the group environment, where therapy types such as Mindfulness Based group therapy are used, you can recognize aspects of yourself that you may choose to modify or change.
As other members share about their lives, you might see your own experiences or see patterns you hadn’t noticed previously. The group allows you to better understand issues you might not have noticed before.
Hearing the stories of group members gets you outside of yourself and helps you see your life differently. As you do that, a process of self-acceptance and empathy for others occurs as you learn to relate with others in the group.
Group therapy and support groups in Chicago can also be a less expensive alternative to individual therapy. While you should check with your insurance company, you’ll often find that therapist led group psychotherapy is covered, while peer-led support groups are not. Either way, group session costs are generally less expensive than individual therapy.
As other members share about their lives, you might see your own experiences or see patterns you hadn’t noticed previously. The group allows you to better understand issues you might not have noticed before.
Hearing the stories of group members gets you outside of yourself and helps you see your life differently. As you do that, a process of self-acceptance and empathy for others occurs as you learn to relate with others in the group.
Group therapy and support groups in Chicago can also be a less expensive alternative to individual therapy. While you should check with your insurance company, you’ll often find that therapist led group psychotherapy is covered, while peer-led support groups are not. Either way, group session costs are generally less expensive than individual therapy.