Group psychotherapy is an effective, accessible, and time-tested way to engage in mental health treatment. Research shows that group therapy is as effective as individual treatment for treating a variety of mental health concerns. These groups offer formal start and stop dates, expect weekly attendance, and are led by our team of mental health professionals. For those interested in drop-in, community-building or education groups, please see our other offerings here. Please note that all groups are offered via telehealth unless otherwise noted.
In order to join one (or more) of our groups, further screening is required before registration in order to ensure eligibility and fit for the group. After joining a group, your sessions will be billed to your insurance at a rate of $60 per session or assessed according to our sliding scale fee schedule.
If you are interested in one (or more) of these group options, schedule your group therapy phone screening at the bottom of this page. For additional information, contact our group therapy team at GroupTherapy@howardbrown.org or leave a message with the Counseling Center front desk staff at 872-304-4401. We strive to return your message within 5-7 business days.
Please note that clients new to Howard Brown Health will need to create a profile in our MyChart patient portal in order to complete our pre-group screening and assessment process. Information about registration will be sent to you by email.
Eligibility
To participate in our group therapy offerings, all patients must be:
- 18 years of age or older
- Present in the state of Illinois (either via telehealth or in-person)
Please check each group description for potential additional requirements for that group.
Current Therapy Groups
An in-person therapy grouped designed to let you engage in creative processing within a community space. Benefits of group art therapy include developing creative coping skills and grounding, learning to communicate experience with images, and sharing with others in community. It is an opportunity to learn more about yourself through the modality of artmaking with an art therapist.
A therapy group designed to help manage stress in healthier ways. Dialectical Behavior Therapy Group is an inclusive, skills-building group that runs cyclically in four distinct ten-week modules. These modules include Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance. The group atmosphere is more “classroom-like,” requiring high motivation from participants to engage in and apply concepts in and outside of the therapeutic space. Written assignments in-between sessions are an integral part of group.
Group one meets Tuesdays 5-6:30pm.
Group two meets on Wednesdays 2-3:30pm in person at the Counseling Center (3948 N. Sheridan).
Group members are expected to complete written DBT skills practice assignments between sessions.
An interpersonally-focused therapy group focused on exploring gender identity and expression. In this group, led by licensed clinicians who identify as trans/gender expansive, we will examine, question, and confront conventional gender expectations. By undoing how we are taught gender “should” be, we work to move closer to intentionality and authenticity. Genderf**k is a fit for anyone interested in exploring their gender, regardless of how they currently identify.
Group one meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 6-7:30pm. Group two meets Tuesdays, 12-1:30pm, running 16 weeks.
A structured, six session therapy group designed to help explore loss and resilience in affirming community. Grief and Resilience is a group focused on creating a safe space for LGBTQ people to come together and explore the challenges of loss. The group focuses on the power of community while exploring resilience and remembrance as a way of healing.
2nd and 4th Thursdays, 6-7:30pm.
Psychotherapy group for clients to explore interpersonal patterns and histories, build resilience, practice experiencing and communicating emotions directly, and share and receive feedback on important relational patterns. Welcoming of those with a variety of mental health concerns.
Group one meets Fridays 10-11:30am. Group two plans to meet Mondays 1-2:30pm. Group runs for 12 weeks, taking a short break and beginning a new cycle to which group members are welcome to return. Both sections now recruiting!
Supporting resilience and quality of life for LGBTQ+ adults age 50 and beyond, the Journey Continues is a diverse, gender inclusive and affirming 16 week group process. The purpose of the group is to explore the aging process specific to LGBTQ+ individuals, to build community in a safe and empowering environment and to support resilience and quality of life in the aging process. The group is phenomenological, or client-centered by design, and shaped by the participants of each group.
Tuesdays, 1-2:20pm.
This 10-week Mindfulness-Based Harm Reduction group is an affirming, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their substance use, get support for making choices that align with their values, and learn tools to cope with triggers and cravings more effectively. This group will draw from both harm reduction strategies and mindfulness exercises to support clients to reach their goals.
Meets Thursdays from 4 – 5 p.m.
A therapy group designed to help manage depression and anxiety. The group is an inclusive, skill-based group designed for those who are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety. Group members will learn about how mindfulness meditation can improve mood and reduce distressing symptoms. Clients will learn techniques and practice these in group, while also connecting with other people who may have similar experiences.
Two sections available, Thursdays 2-3pm and Fridays 2-3:30pm. Group runs for 10 weeks, taking a short break and beginning a new cycle to which group members are welcome to return.
This group is for those seeking an abstinence approach to recovering from substance use. We meet in 10 week cycles and welcome new participants, seeking to center LGBTQ+ experiences in particular.
Meets Wednesdays, 6 – 7 p.m.
A skills-based group for those who are coping with trauma and its impacts on mental health.
Meets Thursdays, 2-3pm.
Group for those who have experienced sexual harm to receive support and engage in a therapeutic group process.
Meeting Tuesdays 2:30-4pm.