&Rise Support Groups
Heal and grow with others who know
Why Consider Support Groups?
Trauma can be very isolating.
Often, survivors feel that no one understands their unique struggles. They feel shame and fear that if others knew what they’ve been through and who they really are, they would abandon them.
Support groups offer survivors an opportunity to gather and share your story with others who have had similar trauma experiences. It’s a chance to feel seen, heard, and understood, and to get support from others who can relate to what you’re experiencing.
Why Join a Support Group?
A support group is a great option for those just starting their healing journey.
It provides an opportunity to share your trauma experiences in a safe, supportive, judgement-free environment without the pressure to speak until you’re ready. It is an opportunity to be a “fly on the wall” to watch and learn how others approach the healing process.
In a support group, you can:
Overcome social and emotional isolation that is often experienced after trauma and abuse
Get FREE support, removing the financial barrier to healing.
Learn how trauma and abuse has affected your life
Gain a foundation to begin overcoming your past and embracing your future.
If this is YOU, a support group may be a great option.
You are just starting your journey to healing from trauma and abuse.
You feel nervous and uncertain about where to begin.
You are isolated from healthy friendships.
You long for a supportive community who understand what you have been through.
You don’t have the financial resources to pay for therapy or coaching.
&Rise Support Group Options
We offer multiple support groups to the &Rise community, so that you can connect with others who share similar experiences to your own.
All &Rise support groups are FREE!
Support Group for Teen Girls and Nonbinary Youth
**NEW Support Group starting on March 5, 2024, every Tuesday from 6:30p.m. to 8:00p.m. CST
Are you a teenage girl (ages 13 through 19) who is a trauma survivor and are looking for a safe place to talk with a community of girls who have been there too? Well, you have found the right group! This group is an empowering space for high school-aged girls* to find community, support, and healthy coping skills as they navigate the complexities of adolescence and/or heal from trauma. Please note Girls* is inclusive to high schoolers who identify as nonbinary or trans.
This group is hosted by the nonprofit organization &Rise. &Rise offers several weekly support groups that are 100% private, 100% confidential, and 100% supportive!
Please note, this is not a therapy group but a community of women survivors supporting and talking with one another about their experiences and healing.
We have an amazing group of girls that are kind and know what you are going through. You do not have to suffer alone or suffer in silence, we are here for you! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Group facilitator Helen Quinn Pasin is a certified sexuality educator who specializes in teen empowerment through healthy relationship skills, education on consent and boundaries, and promoting mental health and body positivity. To learn more about Helen, visit her site at: https://www.helenquinnpasin.com/certifications
Kindly note that for students or those requiring letters or signatures for observations, it is essential to inform the support group facilitator in advance and provide a minimum of one week for processing. We cannot ensure the issuance of letters or signatures within a timeframe shorter than 7 days. Additionally, please be aware of a $10 charge associated with attending our groups as a student. This fee covers administrative costs for paperwork and group occupancy. Failure to process payment through our portal may result in the non-release of your documents. To make the payment, please visit: https://www.womenrisechicago.org/donate
To sign up for event updates, inspiring stories, or to learn more about how &Rise empowers women please visit our website at www.womenrisechicago.org
Please note that this group is for women only. Any men attempting to join our groups will not be allowed in. Please be advised that we have a zero-tolerance policy for any disrespectful language and behavior and the facilitator has the right to ask you to leave and ban you from re-entering our groups.
******Please Note: This is not a therapy group. See more information below.
Grupo de Apoyo Virtual para Mujeres Sobrevivientes de Traumas
**Nuevo horario a partir del 9 de Enero del 2024, todos los martes de 3:00p.m. a 4:30p.m. CST.
Este grupo está organizado por la organización sin fines de lucro &Rise. &Rise ofrece varios grupos de apoyo semanales que son 100% privados, 100% confidenciales y 100% de apoyo.
Tenga en cuenta que se trata de una comunidad dirigida por mujeres sobrevivientes que se apoyan y hablan entre sí sobre sus experiencias y su sanación.
Tenemos un grupo increíble de mujeres que son amables y saben por lo que estás pasando. No tienes que sufrir sola o sufrir en silencio, ¡estamos aquí para ti! ¡NO ESTÁS SOLA!
Por favor, tenga en cuenta que para las estudiantes o aquellas que requieran cartas o firmas para observaciones, es esencial informar a la facilitadora del grupo de apoyo con anticipación y proporcionar un mínimo de una semana para su procesamiento. No podemos garantizar la emisión de cartas o firmas en un período de tiempo menor a 7 días. Además, tenga en cuenta que hay un cargo de $10 asociado con la asistencia a nuestros grupos como estudiante. Este cargo cubre los costos administrativos para el papeleo y la ocupación del grupo. La falta de pago en nuestro portal puede resultar en la no liberación de sus documentos. Para realizar el pago, por favor visite: https://www.womenrisechicago.org/donate
Tenga en cuenta que este grupo es sólo para mujeres. Cualquier hombre que intente acceder a nuestros grupos será expulsado de la reunión y será denunciado. Por favor, ten en cuenta que tenemos una política de tolerancia cero para cualquier lenguaje o comportamiento irrespetuoso y el facilitador tiene el derecho de expulsarte y prohibirte volver a entrar en nuestros grupos. Además, como medida de seguridad adicional, los participantes DEBEN iniciar sesión en zoom con el mismo nombre que utilizaron para registrarse. Si se presenta a la convocatoria de zoom con un nombre diferente, no se le permitirá entrar y se le dejará en la sala de espera.
Por favor tenga en cuenta que solicitamos a todas las participantes que estén con la cámara encendida durante la duración del grupo, esto es para la seguridad de todas las participantes y las facilitadoras.
***Tenga en cuenta que tenemos una política de tolerancia cero para cualquier lenguaje y comportamiento irrespetuoso y el facilitador tiene derecho a pedirle que se retire y prohibirle volver a ingresar a nuestros grupos.
Virtual Support Group for Chronic Pain/Illness and Medical Trauma
This support group's focus will be on chronic illness, chronic pain, and medical trauma. We may talk about one, two, or all three of those in a week depending on the needs of attendees and the makeup of the group.
In this group, we will not focus on symptoms, or provide information about treatment, but discuss the physical and emotional difficulties chronic pain and illness can take, in a group of like-minded individuals.
Our Medical trauma segment will have similarities, but we will also give space to discuss the ways in which the medical community caused us disappointment but also supporting one another to create community and to give one another hope. We will also discuss finding strategies to get the most out of our Healthcare and learning to become our own best advocates.
If you have had these experiences, and you live in the Chicago area, this is your group! We are here to support you as you begin to address the layers of your trauma resulting from sexual violence or domestic abuse. In this group, we talk about our struggles or issues and help each other through it with support and empathy. All &Rise support groups are 100% private, 100% confidential, and 100% supportive!
Kindly note that for students or those requiring letters or signatures for observations, it is essential to inform the support group facilitator in advance and provide a minimum of one week for processing. We cannot ensure the issuance of letters or signatures within a timeframe shorter than 7 days. Additionally, please be aware of a $10 charge associated with attending our groups as a student. This fee covers administrative costs for paperwork and group occupancy. Failure to process payment through our portal may result in the non-release of your documents. To make the payment, please visit: https://www.womenrisechicago.org/donate
Please note that this group is for women only. Any men attempting to access our groups will be kicked out of the meeting and will be reported. Please be advised that we have a zero-tolerance policy for any disrespectful language and behavior and the facilitator has the right to remove you and ban you from re-entering our groups. Additionally, as an added security measure, participants MUST sign into zoom with the same name they used to register. If you come on the zoom call with a different name, you will not be permitted to enter and left in the waiting room.
Please note that we ask all participants to be on camera for the duration of the group, this is for all participants and the facilitators safety.
***Please Note: This is not a therapy group. See more information below.
Virtual Support Group for Women Survivors of Emotional Abuse, Depression & Anxiety
This is a safe space for survivors in the Chicago area to bond, learn, and support one another through our stories and experiences. This group is a great place to start your healing journey if you are a survivor of:
Childhood sexual abuse
Rape and/or sexual assault
Sex trafficking
Domestic abuse
Financial abuse
Emotional abuse
If you have had these experiences, and you live in the Chicago area, this is your group! We are here to support you as you begin to address the layers of your trauma resulting from sexual violence or domestic abuse. In this group, we talk about our struggles or issues and help each other through it with support and empathy. All &Rise support groups are 100% private, 100% confidential, and 100% supportive!
Kindly note that for students or those requiring letters or signatures for observations, it is essential to inform the support group facilitator in advance and provide a minimum of one week for processing. We cannot ensure the issuance of letters or signatures within a timeframe shorter than 7 days. Additionally, please be aware of a $10 charge associated with attending our groups as a student. This fee covers administrative costs for paperwork and group occupancy. Failure to process payment through our portal may result in the non-release of your documents. To make the payment, please visit: https://www.womenrisechicago.org/donate
Please note that this group is for women only. Any men attempting to access our groups will be kicked out of the meeting and will be reported. Please be advised that we have a zero-tolerance policy for any disrespectful language and behavior and the facilitator has the right to remove you and ban you from re-entering our groups. Additionally, as an added security measure, participants MUST sign into zoom with the same name they used to register. If you come on the zoom call with a different name, you will not be permitted to enter and left in the waiting room.
Please note that we ask all participants to be on camera for the duration of the group, this is for all participants and the facilitators safety.
***Please Note: This is not a therapy group. See more information below.
In-Person Support Group for Women Trauma Survivors
**New location!
Starting March 11, 2024, the new location will be: 1819 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago IL 60657.
Every Monday at 7:00p.m. CST
This is a safe space for survivors in the Chicago area to bond, learn, and support one another through our stories and experiences. This group is a great place to start your healing journey if you are a survivor of:
Childhood sexual abuse
Rape and/or sexual assault
Sex trafficking
Domestic abuse
Financial abuse
Emotional abuse
If you have had these experiences, and you live in the Chicago area, this is your group! We are here to support you as you begin to address the layers of your trauma resulting from sexual violence or domestic abuse. In this group, we talk about our struggles or issues and help each other through it with support and empathy. All &Rise support groups are 100% private, 100% confidential, and 100% supportive!
Kindly note that for students or those requiring letters or signatures for observations, it is essential to inform the support group facilitator in advance and provide a minimum of one week for processing. We cannot ensure the issuance of letters or signatures within a timeframe shorter than 7 days. Additionally, please be aware of a $10 charge associated with attending our groups as a student. This fee covers administrative costs for paperwork and group occupancy. Failure to process payment through our portal may result in the non-release of your documents. To make the payment, please visit: https://www.womenrisechicago.org/donate
Please note that this group is for women only. Any men attempting to join our groups will not be allowed in. Please be advised that we have a zero-tolerance policy for any disrespectful language and behavior and the facilitator has the right to ask you to leave and ban you from re-entering our groups.
***Please Note: This is not a therapy group. See more information below.
Virtual Support Group for Women Sexual Abuse Survivors
This is a safe space for survivors to bond, learn, and support one another through our stories and experiences. This group is a great place to start your healing journey if you are a survivor of:
Childhood sexual abuse
Sexual Harrassment
Rape and/or sexual assault
Sex trafficking
Sexual Coercion
If you have had these experiences, this is your group! We are here to support you as you begin to address the layers of your trauma resulting from sexual violence. In this group, we talk about our struggles or issues and help each other through it with support and empathy. All &Rise support groups are 100% private, 100% confidential, and 100% supportive!
Kindly note that for students or those requiring letters or signatures for observations, it is essential to inform the support group facilitator in advance and provide a minimum of one week for processing. We cannot ensure the issuance of letters or signatures within a timeframe shorter than 7 days. Additionally, please be aware of a $10 charge associated with attending our groups as a student. This fee covers administrative costs for paperwork and group occupancy. Failure to process payment through our portal may result in the non-release of your documents. To make the payment, please visit: https://www.womenrisechicago.org/donate
Please note that this group is for women only. Any men attempting to access our groups will be kicked out of the meeting and will be reported. Please be advised that we have a zero-tolerance policy for any disrespectful language and behavior and the facilitator has the right to remove you and ban you from re-entering our groups. Additionally, as an added security measure, participants MUST sign into zoom with the same name they used to register. If you come on the zoom call with a different name, you will not be permitted to enter and left in the waiting room.
Please note that we ask all participants to be on camera for the duration of the group, this is for all participants and the facilitators safety.
***Please Note: This is not a therapy group. See more information below.
Virtual Support Group for Women Trauma Survivors
This is a safe space for survivors to bond, learn, and support one another through our stories and experiences. This group is a great place to start your healing journey if you are a survivor of:
Childhood sexual abuse
Rape and/or sexual assault
Sex trafficking
Domestic abuse
Financial abuse
Emotional abuse
If you have had these experiences, this is your group! We are here to support you as you begin to address the layers of your trauma resulting from sexual violence or domestic abuse. In this group, we talk about our struggles or issues and help each other through them with support and empathy. All &Rise support groups are 100% private, 100% confidential, and 100% supportive! This virtual group is available via Zoom online from anywhere!
Kindly note that for students or those requiring letters or signatures for observations, it is essential to inform the support group facilitator in advance and provide a minimum of one week for processing. We cannot ensure the issuance of letters or signatures within a timeframe shorter than 7 days. Additionally, please be aware of a $10 charge associated with attending our groups as a student. This fee covers administrative costs for paperwork and group occupancy. Failure to process payment through our portal may result in the non-release of your documents. To make the payment, please visit: https://www.womenrisechicago.org/donate
Please note that this group is for women only. Any men attempting to access our groups will be kicked out of the meeting and will be reported. Please be advised that we have a zero-tolerance policy for any disrespectful language and behavior and the facilitator has the right to remove you and ban you from re-entering our groups. Additionally, as an added security measure, participants MUST sign into zoom with the same name they used to register. If you come on the zoom call with a different name, you will not be permitted to enter and left in the waiting room.
Please note that we ask all participants to be on camera for the duration of the group, this is for all participants and the facilitators safety.
***Please Note: This is not a therapy group. See more information below.
***Please Note: This is a peer led support group. See more information below.
Virtual Support Group for Domestic Abuse Survivors
**Time Change Notice Beginning 11/01/23, group will meet every Wednesday from 7:00pm to 8:30pm CST.
Looking for a safe place to talk with others who have been where you are? Join us from anywhere via Zoom to get support from other women who have also experienced domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse is shrouded in shame and secrets. Only when a survivor feels safe to share her story can healing truly begin. If you are a domestic abuse survivor who is seeking a community of other women who have similar experiences, you have found what you have been looking for! In this group, we talk about our struggles and issues related to domestic violence, and support each other with support and empathy.
Domestic abuse includes:
Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation, and control with the use of threat of physical or sexual violence)
Psychological and/or emotional abuse
Physical or sexual abuse within an intimate partner relationship
Financial or economic abuse
Harassment and stalking
Online or digital abuse
This is your group! We are here to support you as you begin to address the layers of your trauma resulting from sexual violence. In this group, we talk about our struggles or issues and help each other through it with support and empathy. All &Rise support groups are 100% private, 100% confidential, and 100% supportive! This virtual group is available online via Zoom from anywhere!
Kindly note that for students or those requiring letters or signatures for observations, it is essential to inform the support group facilitator in advance and provide a minimum of one week for processing. We cannot ensure the issuance of letters or signatures within a timeframe shorter than 7 days. Additionally, please be aware of a $10 charge associated with attending our groups as a student. This fee covers administrative costs for paperwork and group occupancy. Failure to process payment through our portal may result in the non-release of your documents. To make the payment, please visit: https://www.womenrisechicago.org/donate
Please note that this group is for women only. Any men attempting to access our groups will be kicked out of the meeting and will be reported. Please be advised that we have a zero-tolerance policy for any disrespectful language and behavior and the facilitator has the right to remove you and ban you from re-entering our groups. Additionally, as an added security measure, participants MUST sign into zoom with the same name they used to register. If you come on the zoom call with a different name, you will not be permitted to enter and left in the waiting room.
Please note that we ask all participants to be on camera for the duration of the group, this is for all participants and the facilitators safety.
***Please Note: This is not a therapy group. See more information below.
***Please Note: These are not therapy groups.
This is a community of female survivors supporting and talking with one another about their experiences and healing. Our amazing group of women are kind, open, and know what you are going through.
You do not have to suffer alone in silence. &Rise is here for you!
Benefits of Joining &Rise Support Groups
Overcome social and emotional isolation that is often experienced after trauma and abuse
Get FREE support, removing the financial barrier to healing
Learn how trauma and abuse has affected your life
Gain a foundation to begin overcoming your past and embracing your future
Lower anxiety and loneliness
Support others to healing as you are healing your own trauma
Enhance your coping skills and resiliency
Build self-confidence
Create lifelong friendships
Hear how &Rise support groups have impacted Simone and JJ’s lives!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Most survivors have multiple experiences with trauma and abuse. Once it’s started, an individual is more likely to experience a repeat of the cycle with other abusers. When choosing an &Rise support group, start with your first experience. Did you experience childhood sexual or physical abuse? Or did the abuse start in adulthood?
How our brain processes trauma varies depending on our maturity at the onset of abuse, and the type of abuse we experienced. Our virtual and in-person trauma groups speak specifically to trauma experienced by children, adults who experienced violent sexual assault, and survivors of sex trafficking. Our virtual domestic abuse groups speak more specifically to adults who are currently in or are recovering from domestic abuse.
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Select from one of the three options on this page, and complete the online registration form. All &Rise support groups are free of charge, but we need enrollment information to ensure that you receive an invitation for virtual groups, and updates on location and scheduling changes for in-person groups.
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Yes. However, we suggest you give a group at try for at least a month before changing. Talking about trauma requires trust, and trust takes time to build. If you have a negative experience or it just isn’t clicking for you, let us know at jennifer@womenrisechicago.org.
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&Rise support groups are peer-led, meaning that they are not facilitated by a mental health professional. However, our peer-facilitators are survivors who undergo extensive training to support in their role. The goal of the group is to create a sense of safety and community between survivors. Peer-led groups have shown to be very successful in empowering survivors to heal and thrive.
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&Rise peer-facilitators understand how difficult it can be to find quality information and resources beginning a journey to healing from trauma and abuse. As peers, they are uniquely qualified to support you as you learn to cope, adjust, understand, and advocate for yourself and your loved ones.
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Contact us! We can help you figure out the best fit. You will have an opportunity to speak with a trained &Rise staff or volunteer to point you in the right direction.
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At the start of each group, our facilitators will go over the Agenda and Group Rules. Our facilitators may offer structure to the conversation depending on the nature of the group. However, for the most part, this support group offers an open and supportive place for sharing and discussion.
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No one in our virtual support groups can see you unless you choose to turn on your webcam. We understand that people have different comfort levels and we respect participant's anonymity.
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Cost should not be a barrier to receiving support and information to help you escape and recover from trauma and abuse. &Rise is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As such, support groups, counseling, and other services are supported by donor donations, sponsors and fundraising efforts.
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If you are interested and able, we would be grateful for your contributions – donations can be made when securing your spot ticket on Eventbrite. You could also support our organization by becoming a volunteer, donating money or free services, or sharing our social media posts.
How do I join an &Rise support group?
Once you’ve chosen which group is the best fit for you, simply register online from this page. Then watch for more information about meeting times and location/Zoom link.
Your first step to healing from trauma and abuse really is that simple!
Please be aware that if you are a student or need to do any sort of observations that require a letter or signature, you must let the support group facilitator aware and you must give the facilitator at least 1 week to complete it. We do not guarantee letters or signatures in less than 7 days. Please also note that we charge $10 for attending our groups as a student and for the administrative cost for paperwork and occupancy in our groups. If you do not pay through our portal, we are not obligated to release you your documents. Click here to pay: https://www.womenrisechicago.org/donate
