Virtual Navigating Toxic Relationships Support Group for Women

Does it feel like you’re constantly walking on eggshells? Do you find yourself questioning your own reality after a conversation with a loved one or a colleague?

Toxicity doesn’t always look like a movie villain. Often, it’s a subtle pattern of manipulation, boundary-crossing, and emotional exhaustion. Whether it’s a romantic partner, a family member, a "frenemy," or a toxic workplace, the impact on your mental health is real—and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Join &Rise for a dedicated support group where we pull back the curtain on toxic dynamics. This is a trauma-informed, safe space for women to share their stories, find validation, and learn the tools necessary to reclaim their peace.

This group will cover:

1. Recognizing gaslighting, love-bombing, and stone-walling across all types of relationships.
2. Understanding why we settle into these dynamics and how trauma impacts our boundaries.
3. Practical ways to say "no" and protect your energy without the guilt.
4. Whether you are staying, leaving, or going "low contact," we discuss how to prioritize your safety and sanity.
5. Connecting with a community of women who truly get it.

Who Should Attend?

This group is for any woman who has experienced (or is currently experiencing) a relationship that feels draining, manipulative, or emotionally unsafe. Whether the person in question is a partner, a parent, a sibling, or a boss, your experience is valid here.

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!

• 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. We also ask that you keep your camera on for the duration of the group.
2. Respect - group members are expected to listen without interrupting, take turns speaking, and speak without judgment. Please keep yourself muted unless you’re speaking. And please also raise your Zoom hand when you’d like to speak.
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. Meetup charges us a fee for using their website, plus there’s the cost for our Zoom account, so if you have just a few dollars, every dollar helps our organization. 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. Please do not use Zoom chat to share personal experiences or comment on anyone’s share. Short phrases of support are OK, such as “welcome to the group,” or “we are here for you,” but please keep them very short and minimal. Sharing resources such as books, podcasts, or creative outlets is welcome in the chat. Use sparingly.
12. 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.
13. 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 15 participants. If the group is full, please try registering for an upcoming session — we’d love to have you then.