Our Approach
Common Problem Areas
How Can We Help?
Virtual and In-Person Options
6 Weeks
In-Person: Tuesdays, 6PM, Evanston office, Starts April 1st
Virtual: Wednesdays, 6PM, Zoom, Starts April 2nd
Purpose of the Group: Understanding and embracing one’s identity is a vital part of building confidence, self-acceptance, and meaningful connections. However, navigating this journey can be challenging, especially when faced with societal expectations, personal struggles, or a lack of affirming spaces. The purpose of this group is to provide LGBTQIA+ individuals with a supportive environment to explore identity, strengthen resilience, and develop tools for self-empowerment. Over the course of six weeks, group members will focus on self-awareness, community building, and strategies for navigating relationships, self-expression, and advocacy in a way that fosters growth, confidence, and connection.
Group Structure: This group will be conducted both in-person and virtually; however, they will have the same structure, themes, and goals for both modalities. All group sessions will begin with an open discussion for group members to share thoughts, updates, progress, and/or setbacks about the previous week. Group members are encouraged to share only to the extent that they feel comfortable. Each week a new topic and discussion prompt is presented by the group facilitator, along with an activity. To end the group session members will summarize the week’s topic, discuss goals to work on before the next meeting, and are encouraged to participate in a short mindfulness exercise. Group structure is subject to change based on group members’ needs during sessions.
Schedule:
Week 1: Establishing Safety & Community
Theme: Building Trust & Group Norms
- Goals
- Set group agreements and expectations
- Activities:
- Get to know you/Icebreaker activity
- Create group rules and expectations as a group
- Reflect on key moments within LGBTQIA+ journeys
- Discussion Prompts:
- What does safety in a group setting look like for you?
- How has your identity shaped your experiences?
Week 2: Exploring Identity & Self-Acceptance
Theme: Understanding and Embracing Identity
- Goals:
- Explore personal and social identity development
- Discuss internalized messages and self-acceptance
- Activities:
- Identity Collage
- Guided Reflection
- Discussion Prompts:
- How have societal expectations impacted your identity?
- What does self-acceptance mean to you?
Week 3: Ambivalence within Support System
Theme: What is safe space, how to create safe space “chosen family”
- Goals:
- Explore dynamics in family, friendships, and romantic relationships
- Develop tools for setting boundaries
- Activities:
- Defining Safe Spaces
- Boundary-setting practice
- Building a chosen family tree
- Discussion Prompts:
- Accepting certain limitations, taking relationships it for what is it
- Experiences within complicated dynamics
- What steps can we take to cultivate safe and affirming relationships?
Week 4: Authenticity & Self-Expression
Theme: Understanding Who You Are & What Feels True to You
- Goals:
- Explore personal definitions of authenticity
- Identify how internal and external factors shape self-perception
- Challenge negative self-talk and cognitive distortions related to self-expression
- Activities:
- Authenticity Compass
- Challenging the Inner Critic
- Expression Without Explanation
- Discussion Prompts:
- What does authenticity mean to you?
- How do external influences (family, culture, expectations) impact your ability to be yourself?
- In what ways do you feel most connected to your identity?
Week 5: Empowerment and Advocacy
Theme: Finding Your Voice & Navigating the World
- Goals:
- Explore self-empowerment through advocacy (Personal advocacy, community level advocacy)
- Discuss navigating work, school, and social settings as LGBTQIA+ individuals
- Strengthen confidence in self-expression
- Activities:
- Role-play scenarios
- Empowerment mapping
- Letter to my younger self
- Discussion Prompts:
- What does advocacy look like for you—personal, community, or systemic?
- How do you want to be supported when facing discrimination?
- What strengths have helped you navigate challenges?
Week 6: Safety within Community & Events
Theme: Building Long-Term Support & Finding Safe Spaces
- Goals:
- Identify queer affirming spaces and events
- Develop a plan for continued self-care and connection
- Activities:
- Mapping Spaces
- Crisis & Coping Plan
- Building Sustainable Connections
- Support Commitment List
- Discussion Prompts:
- What spaces or events have felt most affirming to you?
- How can you recognize when a space or event is unsafe, and what are your options at that moment?
- What strategies help you maintain a sense of connection and belonging after a structured group like this ends?
Links:
Have Questions? We're here to help.
