Learn about CTC’s History
About Us
We're Here For You
CTC's Mission
Chicago Therapy Collective (CTC) takes decisive action to improve LGBTQ+ mental health in Illinois through therapy, education, advocacy, and the arts.
Our Organization's History
From Community to Cornerstone
Est. 2018
Chicago Therapy Collective began our operations in 2018, transforming Founder Iggy Ladden’s passion for holistic, community-centered mental health interventions into a powerful pillar of service and action in Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community. Headquartered in the Andersonville neighborhood, CTC blends a deep investment in arts and advocacy, along with a passion for educating stakeholders from government agencies to small businesses on the importance of respecting and welcoming trans people. Our signature programs, Hire Trans Now and Trans Art Is, have reached hundreds across Chicago. While CTC has always provided a limited amount of direct mental health services since its founding, in 2026 the agency was fundamentally transformed, as we absorbed the clinical team of Practical Audacity, LLC, an LGBTQ-owned-and-focused behavioral health center in the Hermosa neighborhood. With this expansion, CTC became a clinical-first agency, and the largest nonprofit provider of LGBTQ+ mental health services in Illinois.
Rooted in Community
Our Philosophy
affirming, For Everyone
CTC’s mission is rooted in the intimate awareness apparent in therapy and other humanistic disciplines that the mental health struggles of LGBTQIA people, especially QTBIPOC (Queer Trans Black Indigenous People of Color), are the result of systemic, intersecting injustices that need attention beyond the therapy room and within the relationships, organizations and communities to which those QTBIPOC community members belong.
Complex systemic struggles such as the ones QTBIPOC community memebers experience require multi-faceted interdisciplinary interventions and widespread support. Through therapy, training, activism and the arts, CTC strives to provide a creative path forward for improving minority mental health.
Prioritizing Local Partnerships
LGBTQ+ Focused, Trans-Centered
Filling the Pool of Providers
The Land We're On
Chicago Therapy Collective is located on the the traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe, or the Council of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations. Many other Nations consider this area their traditional homeland, including the Myaamia, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac and Fox, and Peoria. Chicago Therapy Collective acknowledges the many vibrant indigenous communities that still call Chicago home and celebrates the many contributions of indigenous histories and present day cultures to City life for all Chicagoans.
Remembering Elise Malary
CTC is dedicated to honoring the memory of our beloved Elise Malary, who passed tragically in 2022. Elise, a Board Member (now Member Emeritus) of CTC and Co-Founder of our Hire Trans Now campaign, was extremely passionate about advancing social justice for the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC community, especially trans people of color. She understood on a personal level that the mental health needs of Trans community members is deeply connected to access to affirming jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Individual therapy, sometimes called “psychotherapy” or “
If you want to address any concerns about your sexuality or sexual relationship, sex therapy is a good place to start.
A history of sexual trauma
Sexual dysfunction or sexual problems
The quality of your sex life, if you are sexually active
Your sexuality, sexual orientation, or gender identity
Any type of sexual behavior that has negative consequences in your life
Mismatched libidos between you and your partner
Concerns about sexual functioning
Different sexual fantasies and desires within your relationship
Pain during sex, Dyspareunia, Vaginismus, etc.
Erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation (early ejaculation), delayed ejaculation
An inability to orgasm, alone or with a partner
Shame about sex or your sexuality
Oppression related to sex or your sexuality
A desire to try an open relationship, polyamory, BDSM or other kink,
Compulsivity related to sex (sex addiction), love (love addiction), or porn (porn addiction), or hypersexuality that has caused a problem in your life
Infidelity and betrayal trauma
Sexual anorexia or avoidance
Performance anxiety
Standard individual sessions are [45–60 minutes], though extended or couples sessions may be longer depending on your needs
Currently, we offer virtual and in office sessions at both our Andersonville and Hermosa locations. You can choose what works best for your schedule and comfort.
At Chicago Therapy Collective, we are committed to transparency in the cost of care and to ensuring that you have the information you need to make informed decisions about your treatment.
What Is a Good Faith Estimate?
Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of the expected cost of your mental health care if you:
- do not have insurance, or
- are choosing not to use your insurance benefits for services
A Good Faith Estimate is a written document that outlines the expected charges for services based on the information available at the time it is created.
What Does a Good Faith Estimate Include?
Your Good Faith Estimate will include:
- the expected cost of therapy sessions or other services
- the frequency and duration of services, if known
- any additional anticipated services or fees related to your care
Because psychotherapy is an individualized and evolving process, estimates are based on current information and may change over time as your needs, goals, or treatment plan develop.
When Can I Request a Good Faith Estimate?
You have the right to request a Good Faith Estimate:
- before scheduling services
- before beginning treatment
- at any time during your care
- when there are changes to your treatment plan
Chicago Therapy Collective will provide a Good Faith Estimate within the timeframe required by federal law after your request is received.
Important Considerations
- A Good Faith Estimate is not a contract and does not guarantee the final cost of services.
- Actual charges may differ if your treatment needs change or if additional services are recommended.
- If you are using insurance, a Good Faith Estimate does not apply in the same way, as your out-of-pocket costs will depend on your insurance plan.
Your Right to Dispute a Bill
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the charges through a federal process.
You must initiate this dispute within 120 days of receiving the bill.
For more information about your rights or how to start a dispute, visit: www.cms.gov/nosurprises
How to Request a Good Faith Estimate
To request a Good Faith Estimate, please contact us:
Chicago Therapy Collective
5237 N Clark Street, Floor 2
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: 331-442-4449
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chicagotherapycollective.org
Our Commitment
We recognize that cost transparency is an important part of ethical care. We are committed to working with you to understand the financial aspects of your treatment and to supporting access to care whenever possible.
If you have any questions about fees, billing, insurance, or your Good Faith Estimate, we encourage you to notify us.
Chicago Therapy Collective also offers Accessible Therapy Services with adjusted fees based on financial need. Please contact us to learn more.