Support Groups, Workshops,
& Events
Growing Together
PERSONAL GROWTH THROUGH COMMUNITY WELLNESS
At Thrive Ahead Co., we’re all about creating a sense of community, support, and connection through diverse group experiences that cater to different needs and interests.
Our groups offer a mix of in-person and virtual sessions, blending the power of shared experiences with professional guidance.
These aren’t just classes; they’re opportunities to learn, grow, and support one another on your journey, whatever that may look like for you—there’s a place for everyone. Join us and become part of a community that values growth, well-being, and the joy of connecting with others.
These groups are open to the public and facilitated by our Thrive Ahead Team or Partners.
Resource Workshops & Groups
Therapeutic-like Groups Run by Providers
Neurodivergent Online Support Group
A place to connect, be heard, and find empathy from others who “get it.”
Facilitated by Caitlyn Fraser, OTR/L (she/her)
This online bi-monthly support group offers a welcoming, drop-in space for neurodivergent adults, including those who identify with ADHD, autism, OCD or other forms of neurodivergence.
Designed for individuals seeking connection, community, and understanding, the group provides a supportive environment to share experiences, explore common challenges, celebrate strengths, and learn from one another.
There is no set curriculum or long-term commitment—just a space to connect with others who share similar lived experiences and understand the unique joys and complexities of navigating life as a neurodivergent individual.
Who: Adults in Illinois
Format: Virtual, secure online platform – The link will be shared with you after a Registration Call is completed
Attendance: Community building style, join as your schedule allows
Whether you attend regularly or just when you need support, this group is here for you!
2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, Ongoing
6:00-7:00 PM CST
Cost: $40 per group
Currently in session
Art Therapy Group
Expressive Art Therapy Group
Facilitated by Laura Young, LPC (they/them)
Explore the power of creativity in our 10-week Expressive Art Therapy Group, designed to help you tap into your emotions and experiences through artistic expression.
Led by a licensed art therapist, this group offers a safe and supportive environment where participants can explore various art forms, including painting, drawing, collage, and sculpture, to process and express their thoughts and feelings.
- No prior art experience is necessary—this group is about the process, not the product. Each session will focus on different themes such as self-discovery, emotional release, building resilience, and fostering self-compassion.
- Through guided art activities and group discussions, you’ll gain new insights into yourself, enhance your emotional well-being, and connect with others on a similar journey.
Join us to discover the healing potential of art and nurture your inner creativity.
In-Person, Weekly
Tuesdays 6:00-7:30 PM CST
Cost: $55 per group (art supplies included)
* Starting Soon
LGBTQIA+ Online Support Group
A ‘drop-in’ space for connection and support.
Facilitated by Laura Young, LPC (they/them)
Thrive Ahead Co. is excited to offer a welcoming, drop-in support group for LGBTQIA+ individuals seeking connection and a safe space to navigate life’s challenges. Facilitated by Laura Young, LPC (they/them), a non-binary, trans mental health therapist, this group provides a supportive environment to discuss topics such as identity, relationships, mental health, and the experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community. Join us weekly on Google Meet to find community, share, and grow.
Who: LGBTQ+ Adults in Illinois
Format: Virtual, secure online platform – The link will be shared with you after a Registration Call is completed
Attendance: Drop-in style, join as your schedule allows
Whether you attend regularly or just when you need support, this group is here for you!
Online, Weekly, Ongoing
Tuesdays, 5:00-6:00 PM CST
Cost: $35 per group
* Starting Soon
Resource Workshops & Groups
Therapeutic-like Groups Run by Providers
Beginning Entrepreneur’s Mastermind
Facilitated by Jenn Graus, owner of Thrive Ahead Co.
Ready to take the next step toward opening and marketing your small business?
Join our 6-month Beginner Entrepreneurs Mastermind Group, where you’ll meet in person at our Bucktown office every other Saturday from 9:30-11:00 AM with a dedicated group of like-minded individuals.
This mastermind is designed to support you clarify your business vision!
Ready to overcome obstacles, and develop actionable strategies to launch, market and grow your venture? With the support of an experienced facilitator and peers, you’ll gain insights into business planning, marketing tactics, and effective decision-making.
The group requires a 12-session commitment—We’ll kick off this transformative journey once we have 10 committed participants. Take the leap and join us to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality!
* This group is open to the public and you don’t need to be an existing client to join.
Vision
To create a community where members feel welcomed, accepted, whole, and able to grow.
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Our Story
Thrive Ahead Co. is a community-led approach to wellness. Founded in 2021, Thrive Ahead Co. offers specialized, professional therapy, wellness resources, and professional services support for clients and therapists alike. Serving the greater Chicago area, our mission is to cultivate a collaborative community where clients, therapists, and partnering businesses feel empowered and at home. The Thrive Ahead Community is about being connected to one another as resources so that we’re free to build further meaning in our lives.
First and foremost, we offer evidence-based, down-to-earth, healing therapy. Plus, Thrive Ahead Co. goes beyond traditional therapy to create a collaborative community, including gathering spaces, workshops, and events, as well as referrals to our partners for fitness options, nutritional guidance, support groups, career development, and much more. This community is a place for holistic wellness, to explore a new side of one’s self, and to not just cope but to “THRIVE AHEAD!”
Founder, Jenn Graus, LCPC, set out to create ease for therapists by enabling them to be more attentive to their clients, while the Thrive Ahead Co. team assists with any necessary administrative, business, and ongoing education needs.
For the practitioners and community partners, this novel concept creates a robust network of mutual referrals that benefit the clients, each other as professionals, and the larger community. Given the mental health struggles individuals face today, the idea of “doing it alone,” just doesn’t work, giving way to the Thrive Ahead Co. Community.