Support groups can offer those who suffer with OCD and their family members an opportunity to share experiences. Connecting with others affected by OCD can provide ideas and insights about living with OCD or a related anxiety disorder.
Some support groups are run by a trained therapist; others are more informal and may or may not include a therapist. To obtain the help you want, look for a group that offers support for your particular situation -- such as getting more factual information about OCD, medication and cognitive behavior therapy or discussion with people like you who are living with the disorder. There can be groups for individuals, parents, teens, family members, and friends.
The listings shown here are for support groups currently offered in the Chicago area. To find a support group outside Chicago, go to the International OCD Foundation web site.
A support group is not a substitute for cognitive behavior therapy.
Chicago (City)
Beyond OCD Support Group
Ann Sather restaurant, 909 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
A mutual self-help group for adults with OCD, OCD spectrum disorders, and co-occurring depression or anxiety (no other disorders). Adult family members are also welcome. The group is assisted by a mental health professional from the Anxiety & Agoraphobia Treatment Center. Please call us at 773-661-9530 prior to attending your first meeting.
First and third Tuesdays of every month, 7:00-9:00 PM. FREE.
Free parking in lot just west of Ann Sather.
Northern Suburbs
Anxiety & Agoraphobia Treatment Center
707 Lake Cook Road, Suite 310, Deerfield, IL
GOALS Anxiety Support Group - For people with severe or chronic anxiety disorders including OCD and depression. Second and 4th Mondays of each month from 8:00-9:00 PM. Fee $10. For information call Dr. Karen Cassiday at 847-559-0001, ext. 3.
Parents of Complicated Kids Group for parents of kids who have complicated developmental and mental health needs; parents whose children require more than one specialist, clinic or medication; parents whose children are labeled as being treatment refractory or “the only one like this”; parents who cannot recall a time in their child’s life that did not involve therapies, doctors or people with advanced graduate degrees; parents who realize that they tantrum as often as their kids because they are overwhelmed by their kid’s disorders. Schedule to be determined. Fee $55. For information or sign-up, contact Dr. Karen Cassiday at 847-559-0001, ext. 3 or email: karencassiday@gmail.com.
James Dod, Ph.D.
1200 Shermer Rd., Suite 208, Northbrook
Professionally led “booster” group for people who have already had cognitive-behavioral treatment for OCD. Last Wednesday of every month. $53 per group; may be covered by insurance. Call before attending and for more information: 847-480-1341.
Northwest Suburbs
Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital
OCD & Related Disorders Program, 1600 Moon Lake Blvd., Room 1433, Hoffman Estates
Free peer driven support group for adults and teens on the fourth Wednesday of every month, 5:30-7:00 PM. Check in at the front desk. For information, call 847-755-8566.
OCD Family Support Group
Glenview Counseling Group, 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 207, Glenview, IL 60025
Free professionally-led support group for parents, adult children and spouses of persons with OCD. Meets on the first Monday of each month at 8:00-9:00 PM. Registration is required. Call Michael Blumberg, LCPC at 847-901-3220.
Willow Creek Community Church
67 E. Algonquin Rd., S. Barrington
OCD Christian support group. Open to all ages of those with OCD, and also family members and friends. Meets 2nd and 4th Sundays (except holidays) 1:00–3:00 PM in Room F175. Contact Jim at 708-899-2614.
Southwest Suburbs
Chicago-Area Parents of Children with OCD
Linden Oaks Medical Group & Outpatient Center, 1335 N. Mill St., Suite 260, Naperville, IL 60563
A free and confidential support group for parents of children with OCD. Organized by parents for other parents, it gives you an opportunity to connect with other families who understand exactly what you're going through...and who are willing to share what's worked for them. The meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesday evenings of each month from 6:30-8:00 PM. Parents only - no children. For questions, contact Jenny at ocdparentmeetup@gmail.com or 815-556-9436. Also connect with other parents online, see the current schedule of events, and get meeting reminders and updates by joining the group at www.OCDParentMeetup.com.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Support Group
Naperville, IL
Meets once a month from 7-8:00 PM. Adult group - ERP techniques. Presently, many individuals with hoarding issues. Professionally led. Fee depends on insurance plan. Call 630-416-3146 or contact janeoctric@yahoo.com.
Consultants in Behavioral Care, Ltd.
210 N. Hammes, Suite 205, Joliet
Goal-oriented exposure and response prevention group. Adults - Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 PM. $25 per group. Contact Dennis Nakanishi, M.A., 708-939-4441.
Springfield
SIU School of Medicine
4th Floor
Springfield
Self-help GOALS group for individuals with OCD, family members. Last Monday of every month, 6:30-8:00 PM. No charge. Contact Rosie Christy (217) 522-8446.
Hoarding
Compulsive Hoarding Therapy Group
Anxiety & Agoraphobia Treatment Center
707 Lake Cook Road, Suite 310, Deerfield, IL
Professionally-led group focusing on clutter and hoarding. Appropriate for hoarders who are ready to take steps to conquer their clutter and overcome hoarding. Call Dr. Karen Cassiday at 847-559-0001, ext. 3. Cost $90. From 7:00-8:30PM weekly on Thursdays.
Tourette Syndrome
Tourette’s Support Group
Flourish Studios, 3020 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60657
Tourette’s Support Group for all ages. Meet once a month from 6:00-8:00 PM. Call Nicole at 815-577-6116 for information and meeting dates. Free. The focus is to build strong, lasting relationships with individuals and families affected by TS while offering support and guidance.
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania/Dermatillomania Support Group
Naperville, IL
Meets once a month from 7-8:00 PM. Supportive adult group ongoing. Habit reversal techniques. Professionally led. Cost varies with insurance plan. Call 630-416-3146 or contact janeoctric@yahoo.com.
Trichotillomania Support Group
Anxiety & Agoraphobia Treatment Center
707 Lake Cook Road, Suite 310, Deerfield, IL
Professionally led support group for children, adolescents and their parents. Second Wednesday of each month from 7-8:30 PM. Cost $40. Reservation required - call Karen Cassiday, Ph.D. at 847-559-0001, ext. 1.
Hair Pullers Anonymous – Support Group for Adults & Teens with Trichotillomania
(compulsive hair pulling)
Nationwide weekly phone “meeting” Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM.
Free mutual help12-step support with format similar to AA, following the book Obsessive Compulsive Anonymous (OCA). The group suggests reading the book prior to participating. Send an email inquiry to receive the phone call-in number:
trichrecovery@yahoo.com or Dom5girls@aol.com
Internet Resources
Web Sites
For a list of online OCD Support Groups go to:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/OCDSupportGroups/links
For Parents:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdandparenting/
For an online self-help program, the OCD Challenge:
http://www.ocdchallenge.com
Notice
This list of Support Groups for OCD and related disorders is provided for information purposes only. Beyond OCD does not investigate or evaluate these groups, and cannot recommend or endorse the competence or expertise of group leaders. Please contact Beyond OCD if you are interested in starting a Support Group. Note: On occasion, individual Support Group meetings are cancelled or rescheduled. We recommend calling contact persons to confirm that meetings take place as listed.