ADULTS (18 and over)
RESOURCES FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS:
Tuesday Night Live
Tuesday Night Live (TNL) meets every week on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:00pm. TNL is a peer-led group in which group members help lead the flow and discussion with facilitation by experienced staff. TNL is a space for any persons 21 and older, regardless of gender, race, or identity, who are living with HIV/AIDS. The group gives participants the opportunity to talk about shared experiences and unique challenges, while also allowing participants a space to socialize with others. Topics may include: self-care, dating and relationships, family support, individual health concerns, and other presentations based on participant interest. The schedule will also include movie nights, game nights, guest speakers, and more. For more information please contact: Rey Cordova | 773.388.1600 x1081 | tnl@howardbrown.org
English | HIV Education Workshop Series – Thinking Positively
Drop in workshops are available on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., facilitated by care specialists. Workshops are a safe space for any person, regardless of gender, race, or identity, who is living with HIV/AIDS. Workshop facilitators work to directly address misconceptions and myths related to HIV. Facilitators focus on key topics and help to provide workshop participants with a higher understanding of HIV/AIDS and Antiretroviral therapies. For more information please contact: Adrian Ellis | 773.572.8372 | AdrianE@howardbrown.org OR Eric Perry | 773.388.1600 Ext 2025 |EricP@howardbrown.org
Spanish | HIV Education Workshop Series – ¡Empoderándonos! – Talleres Educativos del VIH
Drop in workshops are available on the last Thursday of the month, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., facilitated by care specialists. Workshops are a safe space for any person, regardless of gender, race, or identity, who is living with HIV/AIDS. Workshop facilitators work to directly address misconceptions and myths related to HIV. Facilitators focus on key topics and help to provide workshop participants with a higher understanding of HIV/AIDS and Antiretroviral therapies. For more information please contact: Adriana Maldonado | 773.388.1600, ext. 1043 | AdrianaM@howardbrown.org
TRANSGENDER SUPPORT GROUPS
T-Time Transgender & Intersex Support Group
The event will take place on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. T-Time is an open group for transgender, gender variant, two-spirit, gender non-conforming, intersex, and gender questioning individuals. For more information, contact Adriana at adrianam@howardbrown.org.
TYRA: Transgender Youth Resource and Advocacy Group
Thursdays | Broadway Youth Center. TYRA is a safe space for transgender, gender non-conforming, and questioning youth to build community, share, and learn, while finding out about resources they may need. For more information, contact Savannah Willis, Peer Outreach Leader at 773.572.8350 or SavannahW@howardbrown.org
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Recovering Together
Meets Wednesdays 6 – 7 p.m at Howard Brown Health Counseling Center, 3948 N. Sheridan Road
The Recovering Together group is for those who want to maintain abstinence or are working towards achieving abstinence from all substances. We welcome people at different stages of recovery to learn from each other. Are you preparing to stop using, but don’t know where to start? Do you feel unsure about AA, CMA or other 12 step groups and want to explore abstinence in a familiar place? Have you tried peer support groups and are looking for something more/additional support (or do you just need a refresher)? Have you recently relapsed and need to get back on track? Are you completing inpatient or IOP treatment and need ongoing support? This group is for you!
Group topics include:
- Stopping the addictive cycle
- Identifying your triggers
- Time management
- Learning positive coping skills
- Relapse prevention
- Relationships in recovery
To learn more about this group, please call Sara Hays, LCSW, CADC at 773.572.8362
Harm Reduction Group
Meets Tuesdays Noon – 1:30 p.m. at Howard Brown Health Counseling Center, 3948 N. Sheridan Road
An affirming, non-judgmental group where clients can explore their substance use, get support for making choices that align with their values, and learn tools to help them reach their goals. Facilitator of the group incorporates mindfulness and self-compassion exercises to help decrease guilt and shame due to use.
Attending clients will:
- Work on specific harm reduction strategies that prioritize safety
- Learn about withdrawal symptoms
- Address triggers for substance use
- Set goals for use for each drug of choice
- Explore the impact of substance use on relationships, work, school, and physical and mental health
- Increase awareness on self-shame and guilt
- Increase insight on self-judgment
- Learn self-compassion skills
- Practice self-compassion and mindfulness exercises in group
To learn more about this group, please call Sonila Sejdaras, Psy.D, LCSW, CADC at 773.572.8353
Rainbow Recovery
Meets Saturdays Noon – 1 p.m. at Howard Brown Health Counseling Center, 3948 N. Sheridan Road
Inclusive towards all identities, however substance use will be a weekly theme within the group topics. This will be a closed group that runs for 9 weeks. Group topics will be based on the original meanings of each color within the pride flag created by the late Gilbert Baker. Each color represents an aspect/virtue of life which the group will use to reflect upon towards their own personal use and challenges. Some of the areas that will be explored include: sexuality, peace, life, and nature.
To learn more about this group, please contact Joey Metler, LCSW at 773.388.1600 ext. 1089
Women’s Substance Use Group
Meets Thursdays Noon – 1 p.m. at Howard Brown Health Counseling Center, 3948 N. Sheridan Road
Would you like to gain support from other LGBTQ women and female identified folks as you explore your substance use? The Recovering with Pride team is launching a new 10-week therapy group, inclusive of all women, which will focus on moderating substance use and coping in all aspects of life. We welcome people at different stages of moderation and recovery to learn from each other and build community. All group participants must complete both an in-person intake assessment and a group screen prior to attending group.
Please contact Kristin Reitz, LCSW at 773.388.8908 for more information or to refer interested clients.
VRP Support Group
Meets Tuesday evenings
Are you in a relationship that feels unfair? Come talk to us… Does your partner put you down, pressure you into sex, physically hurt you, financially control you or threaten to “out” you? We provide a safe place to heal from emotional, financial, sexual and physical abuse that allows you to be open about your sexual orientation, gender identity and sexuality. A brief phone screening is required before attending group.
Contact the VRP Line at 773.388.8882 or Hugh Cole, LCSW, CADC at 773.572.8364 or HughC@howardbrown.org
DBT Skills Group
Meets Mondays, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Howard Brown Counseling Center
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 4 distinct 10 week modules. These modules include Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance. A brief phone screening is required before beginning group.
For more information about this group, contact Tom Doctor, LCSW, CADC at tomd@howardbrown.org or 773-388-1600 ext. 2273.
Mindfulness for Mood
Meets Thursdays, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
A therapy group designed to help manage depression and anxiety. The group is a gender-inclusive, skill-based group designed to be a supportive space for folks who are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety. Group members will learn about how mindfulness meditation can improve mood and reduce anxiety. Clients will learn techniques and practice these in group, while also connecting with other people who may have similar experiences and challenges with mental health. Group runs in 10 week cycles
This group is not currently accepting new patients. Please check back soon.
Engendering Support
Meets Wednesdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m.
A 10-week process group for trans, non-binary, gender expansive folks to talk, share, and build community. Group is open to adults who are at any stage of exploring or expressing their gender identity. A brief phone screening is required before beginning group.
Contact Rosey Puloka at 773.388.1600 ext. 2270 or roseyp@howardbrown.org
Grief and Resilience
Meets Thursdays, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
A therapy group designed to help explore loss and resilience in affirming community. Grief and Resilience is an episodic support group focused on creating a safe space for LGBTQIA and Gender Expansive people to come together and explore the challenges of loss. The group focuses on the power of community while exploring resilience and remembering as a way of healing.
Contact Hugh Cole, LCSW/CADC/CGP at 773.572.8364 or hughc@howardbrown.org
Connection
Meets Fridays, 10:30 a.m. – noon
A therapy group designed to help understand, improve and explore relationships. An phone or in-person assessment is required before beginning group.
This group is not currently accepting new patients, please check back soon.
Genderf**k
Meets Wednesdays, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Howard Brown Clark, 6500 N. Clark
A therapy group focused on exploring gender identity and expression. In this group, 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. This group is ongoing and requires an 8 week commitment, and is able to be continued past 8 weeks. A brief phone screening is required before beginning group.
For more information about this group, contact Tom Doctor, LCSW, CADC at tomd@howardbrown.org or 773-388-1600 ext. 2273.
the collective
Meets Mondays, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
A 10-week creative arts therapies group for LGBTQIA+ black, indigenous, people of color. Group includes meditation, gentle movement, visual art, poetry, music, clay, and story. Participants are provided with options for expression and exploration. Through creative arts and ritual we talk, share, express, and build community.
Contact Rosey Puloka at 773.388.1600 ext. 2270 or roseyp@howardbrown.org
AGING ADULT GROUPS
The Journey Continues
Saturdays, Spring and Fall 1 – 3 p.m.
Supporting resilience and quality of life for older LGBTQ and gender expansive adults age 50 and beyond. The Journey Continues is a diverse, gender inclusive and affirming 16-week group process for LGBTQ adults age 50 and beyond. 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. It is an episodic closed group that runs twice yearly, each Spring and Fall, and we ask clients to commit to the entire sixteen week process. A brief phone screening is required before beginning group.
Contact: Hugh Cole, LCSW, CADC, 773.572.8364 or HughC@howardbrown.org
Aging As We Are
For LGBTQ Elders Every Friday email Cec Hardacker at CeciliaH@howardbrown.org for more information.
RESOURCES FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS
Spanish | Social Support Group – NEXOS – Grupo de Apoyo Social
Nexos is open every first and third Thursday, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., facilitated by experienced staff. Nexos is a confidential group that is welcome to the community of Latinx Spanish speakers of any HIV status. During group, you will not be asked to disclose your HIV status, but you are welcome to self-disclose and talk about your status. The purpose of NEXOS is to create a safe space to support and build camaraderie through a variety of social activities and discussion topics. For more information please contact: PrEP@howardbrown.org
YOUTH (16 through 24)
TYRA: Transgender Youth Resource and Advocacy Group
Thursdays | 5 – 7 p.m. | Broadway Youth Center. TYRA is a safe space for transgender, gender non-conforming, and questioning youth to build community, share, and learn, while finding out about resources they may need. For more information, contact Savannah Willis, Peer Outreach Leader at 773.572.8350 or SavannahW@howardbrown.org
F@B
Fridays | Broadway Youth Center. F@B is a feisty, fun, and safe space for youth to actively participate in health education relevant to their lives and perspectives. In addition to the charm and spunk of our staff facilitators, things like food, safer sex supplies and access to free and confidential HIV/STI testing are also provided. For more info, call 773.935.3151.
Women’s Support Groups
Alternative Insemination (AI) Orientation
Second Thursday of each month from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Location alternates between Englewood and Rogers Park
Howard Brown’s Alternative Insemination (AI) Program assists lesbian, bisexual, queer and transgender individuals with preparing for and becoming pregnant through alternative insemination. This session occurs every month and is designed for individuals or couples who are ready to begin the insemination process. Participants learn about key components of the AI process, including: insemination methods, choosing a donor and sperm bank, negotiating insurance/finances, and potential obstacles to a
successful insemination process. Participants also receive a comprehensive referral list and resources that are specifically tailored to the LBTQ community, including: legal, medical, mental health, birthing, and reading materials to help prepare for conception, pregnancy and parenting as an LBTQ person. Participation in this session is required before moving forward with the AI Program.
The workshop fee is $50 for individuals and $80 for couples, and is required before moving forward with the AI program at Howard Brown Health.
Individualized Support All participants enrolled in Howard Brown Health’s AI Program have access to a patient advocate who can provide ongoing education and resources to individuals, partners, or family groups as they navigate the AI process. This patient advocate works closely with medical providers to ensure seamless and efficient care throughout all stages of conception and pregnancy.
For more information, including registration, contact whs@howardbrown.org or 773.572.8359.
LGBTQ Pregnancy Support Group
Third Thursday of the month
6:30 – 7:30 p.m
Howard Brown Health Counseling Center
3948 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL, 60613
This is a support group for LGBTQ people attempting pregnancy. Our goal is to provide a safe, affirming space to support each other by exploring the beauty of parenting as queer people and making connections with other queer families and parents-to-be. Singles and couples are welcome. Registration is required.
Reserve your spot by email or phone: whs@howardbrown.org or 773.388.1600 ext. 8871
Common Ground
A Women’s Resource and Wellness Group
Common Ground is designed to foster community, identity, and health among women. Workshops include nutrition, employment, mental health, immigration, mind and body, and spiritual health. As class topics vary, activities will too! Activities include gardening, art projects, attorneys present for Q&A sessions, job resource center time to work on job readiness, and a chaplain to lead a spiritual activity.
Additionally, there is a separate track of HIV-related courses for women who are living with and affected by HIV. These classes will range from HIV 101, adherence counseling, improving quality of life, and self-managing care. All women are welcome regardless of their HIV status.
Childcare will be provided
Second Wednesday of the month: HIV workshops
Fourth Wednesday of the month: Health and Wellness workshops
Questions? Email Commonground@howardbrown.org
Spanish Speaking: 6 – 7 p.m. / English Speaking: 7 – 8 p.m.
All workshops to be held on Wednesdays at Howard Brown Health Sheridan.