Therapy and Support Groups in Chicago, Illinois
19 therapy and support groups meet in the Chicago area, with 16 more across Illinois and 593 virtual groups open to Illinois residents from anywhere in the US. Free to browse. No account needed.
Browse Chicago groups or see all 35 Illinois groups
Chicago groups accepting members
Groups currently listed in the Chicago area. Every listing is written by the group leader and includes format, schedule, cost, and how to join.
Free Disability & Chronic Illness Support — Online | Mishkan Chicago
The Disability & Chronic Illness Support Group, offered through Maggie's Place at Mishkan Chicago, gives adults living with disability or chronic illness a dedicated…
Contact group → Free to join
Free Sarcoidosis Support Group – National Virtual | FSR
The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) is a nonprofit founded in 2000 and dedicated to funding sarcoidosis research and improving care for patients. FSR…
Contact group → Free to join
Alzheimer’s Illinois — Free Dementia Caregiver Support Groups in Illinois
The Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter offers free in-person and virtual caregiver support groups for dementia caregivers throughout Chicagoland and across Illinois. As the state's…
Contact group → Free to join
UChicago Memory Center — Free Dementia Caregiver Support in Chicago, IL
The Memory Center at the University of Chicago Medicine offers free Support & Quality of Life Programs for family caregivers of people living with…
Contact group → Free to join
IPHA / CHaSCI — Free Dementia Caregiver Support Groups in Illinois
The Center for Health and Social Care Integration (CHaSCI) runs the Illinois Public Health Association's IPHA Support Groups for Dementia Caregivers Initiative. The program…
Contact group → Free to join
Share Network — Free Caregiver Support Groups — Chicago South Side
Share Network Chicago is part of the Chicago South Side Aging Resource Guide, connecting older adults and family caregivers on Chicago's South Side to…
Contact group → Free to join
More places to look
What meets in Chicago right now
Cost and insurance in Illinois
18 of Chicago's 19 groups are free to join. Beyond those, costs span a wide range, and the range is real. Peer-led groups are usually free. Sliding-scale and community-funded groups often charge $5 to $25. Insurance-covered groups commonly involve a copay in the $20 to $50 range. Private-pay rates vary the most: some groups charge under $50 a session, while specialized programs, intensive formats, and highly credentialed facilitators price well above $100. Every listing states its own cost, so you know before you reach out. Most major insurers reimburse virtual group therapy at parity with in-person care. Always confirm coverage with your plan.
In Illinois, the state Medicaid program is HealthChoice Illinois. Some listed groups accept it; each listing's cost line says what it takes.
Frequently asked questions
How much do therapy groups in Chicago cost?
18 of Chicago's 19 groups are free to join. There is no single going rate. Peer-led groups are usually free, sliding-scale and community-funded groups often charge $5 to $25, and insurance-covered groups commonly involve a $20 to $50 copay. Private-pay pricing varies the most, from under $50 a session to well over $100 for specialized or intensive programs. Every listing on this directory states its own cost, and many groups offer a free intro session.
Can I join a virtual group from Chicago?
Yes. 593 virtual groups are open to Illinois residents, and 11 of Chicago's 19 local groups run hybrid or fully virtual sessions, so you can start online and move to in-person when you are ready.
How do I know a listing is current?
Group leaders write their own listings. The directory checks each listing's details against the group's own website on a rolling basis, and listings show the date those details were last checked. That check confirms the group exists and its details match; it is not a clinical review or an endorsement.
If you need help now
A support group is not crisis care. If you or someone you know is struggling right now:
- Call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Free, confidential, 24/7.
- Many counties run local warmlines for non-emergency support. Search your county name plus "warmline."
The directory will still be here when you're ready.
Run a group in Chicago? Get found.
List your group for people already searching in your area. Community orgs running free groups always list free. That's not a promotion. It's a promise.