In-person Navigating Toxic Relationships and Boundaries Support Group

It is a painful reality: the people who are supposed to love and support us can sometimes be the very ones who drain, manipulate, or disrespect us. Whether you are currently trying to navigate a toxic relationship, working up the courage to leave, or healing from the aftermath of a narcissistic or abusive partnership, you do not have to walk this path alone.

Navigating Toxic Relationships and Boundaries is a safe, confidential, and judgment-free space designed for women who are ready to break unhealthy cycles, reclaim their personal power, and learn the life-changing art of letting go.

In this group, we don't just talk about the hurt; we actively build the tools needed to protect your peace. Together, we will explore what healthy boundaries look like, how to handle the guilt that often comes with setting them, and how to rewrite your story on your own terms.

What We Will Explore Together:

1. Recognizing the Signs: Unpacking red flags, gaslighting, love-bombing, and trauma bonding.
2. The Art of the Boundary: Learning how to say "no" clearly, firmly, and without apology.
3. Breaking the Cycle: Understanding why we tolerate toxic behavior and how to choose differently moving forward.
4. Reclaiming Your Identity: Rediscovering who you are outside of a toxic relationship or family dynamic.
5. Healing After the Break: Navigating the grief, anger, and mixed emotions of cutting ties or going low-contact.

Who Is This For?

This group is open to any woman survivor who has experienced toxic dynamics in romantic relationships, family structures, friendships, or the workplace. No matter where you are on your healing journey—whether you are just starting to question a relationship or you’ve been out of it for years—your voice and your story belong here.

What to Expect:

1. A welcoming, trauma-informed facilitator.
2. Shared stories and mutual support from women who truly "get it."
3. Practical tools and takeaways you can use immediately in your daily life.
4. Zero pressure: You are always welcome to share, but you are also completely free to just sit back, listen, and take it all in.

Your peace is sacred. It’s time to draw the line.

Space is limited to ensure a close-knit group setting.

For questions or more information, please visit www.womenrisechicago.org or reply directly to this event listing.

This group is hosted by the nonprofit organization &Rise. &Rise offers in-person and virtual weekly support groups via zoom 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 ladies 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!

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

• Group Rules:

1. Confidentiality - what you say in this room, stays in this room. Please respect group members' privacy. To ensure confidentiality, please be in a private space or wear headphones to respect others' privacy.
2. Respect - group members are expected to listen without interrupting, take turns speaking, and speak without judgment.
3. Language - avoid language that will be offensive to others, certain language can be triggering to others please be mindful. If offensive language continues you will be asked to leave the group.
4. Promptness - Meetings will begin and end on time, please arrive on time to avoid distractions.
5. Support - we are here to support you so if you need to speak about anything privately please feel free to send us a private message through the chat feature.
6. It’s okay to share personal experiences but refrain from telling others what they “SHOULD” do because we want to ensure that survivors know they have power in their own decisions.
7. You are free to speak when you’d like but please be mindful of giving all other participants the space to speak as well.
8. Inclusion - We welcome all women including those who identify as transgender. Please be respectful of people’s pronouns and gender identity.
9. We encourage our community to connect outside of the group, however, there should be boundaries on how much you help others and try to help others before helping yourself.
10. If you already donated, thank you! There are costs to running this meeting. Donations can be a single dollar bill or a couple of them. But this is only if you have the money to spare. If you don’t have it, do not worry about it. Empowering women through free counseling and free support groups
11. Promptness - Meetings will begin and end on time, please arrive on time. Participants will not be allowed into the meeting if they are more than 15 minutes late to avoid distractions.
12. Please refrain from asking participants questions about their shares. We want to ensure everyone feels safe sharing without pressure, interrogation, or intrusive questioning.

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 or add us on IG: @and_rise_ and Facebook: @womenrisechicago

If you register for a group and can no longer attend please CANCEL your ticket to open a space for another participant.

Just a heads up that each session is limited to 12 participants. If the group is full, please try registering for an upcoming session — we’d love to have you then.