10 Trauma Healing Services In The Chicago Area Changing The Game
By: Collin Johnson / April 5, 2025
In a city as vibrant and resilient as Chicago, the echoes of trauma—whether from violence, systemic inequities, or personal struggles—are felt across communities. Healing from trauma is not linear, and finding support that meets people where they are is crucial. That’s why The 1937 Foundation is committed to spotlighting organizations doing incredible work to uplift, restore, and empower. These ten trauma healing services reflect the core values we hold dear: community care, equity, accessibility, and transformative healing.
Whether you're seeking holistic wellness, mental health therapy, or culturally grounded spaces of healing, these Chicago-based trauma healing services are not only providing essential services—they’re changing lives.
1. Chicago Survivors
Chicago Survivors offers trauma-informed crisis response and long-term support for families affected by homicide. Their dedicated trauma response teams partner with Chicago Police to offer on-the-ground emotional support within hours of a loss. Follow-up services include grief counseling, legal advocacy, and youth programs designed to interrupt the cycle of violence. Their holistic and community-driven model has made them a cornerstone in the trauma recovery landscape.
2. The Trauma Center of Chicago
Specializing in PTSD and complex trauma, The Trauma Center of Chicago uses evidence-based therapies like EMDR, somatic experiencing, and trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Their clinical team understands the impact of generational trauma and systemic oppression, creating a space that’s both scientifically grounded and deeply compassionate.
3. The Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN)
IMAN blends community organizing, health, and healing with cultural and spiritual practices. Through initiatives like Green ReEntry—which supports returning citizens—and mental wellness programs offering culturally competent therapy, IMAN creates sustainable models of healing grounded in dignity and justice. Their holistic approach reflects the belief that healing must include the soul, body, and community.
4. The Night Ministry
Offering trauma-informed care to unhoused youth and adults, The Night Ministry meets people where they are—literally. Their Health Outreach Bus and Street Medicine teams deliver care, while their Youth Housing Programs offer not just shelter but counseling and mentorship. Their services are critical in a city where housing insecurity often overlaps with untreated trauma.
5. Between Friends
Dedicated to ending domestic violence, Between Friends provides counseling, legal assistance, and prevention education. Their innovative “Relationship Education Workshops” help youth recognize healthy vs. harmful dynamics, aiming to prevent trauma before it begins. Their free, confidential helpline and survivor-centered care make them a vital lifeline for many across Chicago.
6. Urban Growers Collective
Healing doesn’t always begin in a therapist’s office. Urban Growers Collective provides trauma-responsive urban farming programs on Chicago’s South and West Sides. By reconnecting people to land, food, and ancestral practices, their work promotes both individual and communal healing. Their Youth Corps and job training programs are especially impactful for young adults navigating trauma and systemic barriers.
7. Resilience (Formerly Rape Victim Advocates)
Resilience is a leader in sexual violence crisis support and prevention. Their 24-hour hotline, advocacy services, and trauma-informed counseling empower survivors to reclaim their voice and story. They also work with hospitals, schools, and police departments to build a more empathetic and accountable response to sexual trauma.
8. The Healing Center at Chicago Torture Justice Center
Founded by survivors of Chicago police torture, the Healing Center offers a unique model of survivor-led care. Their programs include trauma therapy, art healing circles, and community organizing, with a deep commitment to restorative justice. This space is a sanctuary for those impacted by state violence and a testament to resilience against all odds.
9. Thrive Counseling Center
Thrive is a nonprofit mental health provider in Oak Park serving the broader Chicago area. They specialize in trauma-focused therapy for individuals and families, including children and adolescents. With sliding-scale pricing and walk-in crisis services, Thrive makes mental healthcare accessible to those who might otherwise be shut out.
10. The Reset: A Weekly Yoga Series by The 1937 Foundation
We’re excited to partner with Movement and Medicine to offer free yoga sessions every Wednesday from 6 PM to 7 PM at the Maywood Library. These sessions are more than just physical exercise—they’re a space for physical, mental, and emotional healing through mindful movement and breathwork.
Whether you're a seasoned yogi or brand new to the mat, Movement and Medicine creates a welcoming, affirming environment for all. The goal is to help participants reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and rediscover inner balance, strength, and peace. In a world where trauma lives in the body, this weekly offering helps release what no longer serves and restore what has always been within: our capacity to heal.
By holding this space, The 1937 Foundation is proud to continue honoring our mission—bringing accessible, community-centered healing to those who need it most.
Why This Matters
Shedding light on these trauma healing services isn’t just about spreading awareness—it’s about honoring the work of people who are showing up for our communities, day in and day out. At The 1937 Foundation, we know that healing takes many forms. From therapy and yoga to farming and advocacy, these organizations help individuals reclaim their stories, break cycles, and imagine new futures.
They reflect our belief that trauma-informed care isn’t a luxury—it’s a right. It’s time we celebrate and support the people making that a reality in Chicago.
Whether you’re on your own healing journey or supporting someone else’s, we hope this guide connects you with the people and practices that bring healing closer to home.