Benefits of Our Free Counseling Services for Women in Chicago
By Claire Moacdieh
Getting started with counseling can be challenging. Maybe you have struggled with taking the first step on your wellness journey. Maybe you have experienced stigma around seeking out therapy and counselling. Or maybe you are already on a healing journey, and have not been able to access the right support for your needs. If any of these situations and more can apply to you, then we are here to help. Our mission is to empower women and girls to be the best versions of themselves by overcoming adversity and developing a healthy mindset.
Counseling can help you achieve your goals and face the world’s challenges by building strength and confidence within yourself. Unfortunately, the moments when we need these services the most are often times when we have the fewest resources available. No matter where you are on your journey, we believe you deserve access to licensed counselors who can help. Our program provides 10 free therapy sessions to individual women and girls in Illinois over the age of 13.
This article goes over some of the benefits of choosing &Rise for free therapy in Chicago.
Benefits of free one-on-one counseling services in Chicago
Our services can help with generalized issues of depression and anxiety, but they can also help with other struggles related to dealing with trauma and abuse. If you experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), then counseling can help to reduce symptoms. Further, these sessions are meant to help you learn skills to regulate your nervous system, understand and manage emotions, develop healthy coping skills, and identify and address root causes. These skills can help you build healthy change and improve your quality of life. When you work on yourself, you are not only growing towards the best version of yourself, but you are taking steps to build healthy interpersonal relationships and find comfort in your community.
Free counseling services through &Rise can benefit you in the following ways:
They’re free!
&Rise wants to provide accessible care for all women and girls, and this means that you do not need insurance to access our services. These sessions are available for any women and girls in Illinois, without adding any extra financial burden.
2. They are a safe space
In these sessions, you will be able to communicate freely with your counselor. This is your time to talk through whatever’s on your mind, with no fear of judgment and 100% confidentiality. Whether you choose an in-person or virtual session, you can feel comforted in the fact that your privacy is a top priority.
3. They can help you develop tools for managing depression and anxiety
Our counselors specialize in evidence-based treatment as well as mindfulness and holistic practices, promoting peace of mind and general wellbeing in the body. They can work with you to develop tools and strategies that can help you manage the things that life throws your way. Together, you can figure out the systems that work best for you.
4. Counseling in your language
Finding the right counseling can be especially difficult if your provider cannot connect with you. We want to make sure that you feel listened to and supported in any situation. &Rise currently offers counseling in eight different languages from around the globe:
English
Spanish
French
Italian
Urdu
Hindi
Arabic
Mandarin
5. They can help you feel empowered in your journey
No matter where you are at in your journey, you deserve support. Counseling can help bring out the best of yourself through healthy coping strategies and practices for good mental health. When you develop the tools you need, you can take power over your life.
6. You can build emotional resilience
Healing is not a linear process. There will always be ups and downs, but these sessions will help you understand the downs and not let them defeat you. Counseling can help build emotional strength, even on the bad days.
7. Extended sessions
When you finish your 10 free sessions with &Rise, you have the option to keep working with your counselor, either through a private insurance plan or we can work with you on a sliding scale.
Join the hundreds of women who have received free therapy in Chicago with &Rise
Counseling can be a great step forward in your personal healing journey. Whatever your financial situation, it’s within your reach. If you’re a woman in Chicago or the state of Illinois, we can connect you with a therapist you’ll love. If you are ready to start your free counseling journey, you can learn more and sign up on our counseling page.
As of October 2025, we have a waiting list for counseling. Contact us to find out about wait times and get your name on the list.
If you are interested in joining a supportive community for women and girls, &Rise offers other ways to learn, heal, and get involved. You can come to our support groups, coaching sessions, or events. Look through our services to learn more about these different options and other resources. You can also subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of empowerment, news about our support groups, and notifications for upcoming events.
