What Chicago Therapy Collective does

Chicago Therapy Collective is Illinois's leading LGBTQ+ mental health nonprofit organization, operating as a 501(c)(3) (legal name Sithub) from its headquarters at 5237 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Founded by Iggy V Ladden, LCSW, the organization delivers affirming individual, couples, group, sex, family/teens, and art therapy to LGBTQ+ clients across Illinois, supported by a clinical team credentialed across LCSW, LCPC, PsyD, and CST designations. Beyond direct clinical services, CTC operates the Hire Trans Now trans-friendly job board, the Trans Art Is exhibition series (50+ artists featured to date, part of the Trans-Inclusive Chicago! campaign), a Training & Education division selling LGBTQ+ 101, Trans 101, and compliance programs to employers and government agencies, advocacy programs at state and local level, and recurring community events including Midsommarfest and Trans Day of Visibility.

Underlying technology is intentionally lightweight: a WordPress-based website, a Typeform-powered therapy intake form, and standard video-conferencing for telehealth delivery; multi-language content supports English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and some Arabic. Proprietary platform elements include the Hire Trans Now job-board (filtered by category and location, with employer-employee matching) and the Equity Audit Program combining document review, policy analysis, climate surveys, and customized surveys. No APIs, mobile apps, or AI capabilities are disclosed.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack: fee-for-service therapy billed to insurance (BCBS PPO, BCBC Blue Choice, Aetna PPO, Blue Cross Community Plans, Illinois HFS) or self-pay; B2B training sold on a unit-pricing basis to organizations (5 to 500 attendees); event sponsorships; and donations via monthly giving, tribute gifts, and planned giving. The organization has set a stated goal of having 30% of services fully or partially charitably supported. CTC reports no external venture investment, discloses no funding rounds, and is independently operated under founder/executive director Iggy V Ladden with a lean team of approximately 9 staff including clinicians, operations, and development personnel.

Name

Chicago Therapy Collective

Legal name

Sithub

Website

https://chicagotherapycollective.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Chicago Therapy Collective is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing LGBTQ+ affirming therapy, organizational training, advocacy, and the Hire Trans Now job board to individuals and organizations across Illinois.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Services

NAICS

Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (621330), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

General Mental Health Therapy Platforms (Talk Therapy) (HLALAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE), Couples & Family Therapy Teletherapy Platforms (HLALAEAG)

Keywords

• LGBTQ+ mental health
• Affirming therapy services
• Gender-affirming care
• Community mental health
• Mental health nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Therapy Services: Fee-for-service therapy sessions billed to insurance (BCBS, Aetna, Medicaid plans) or self-pay. CTC accepts in-network and out-of-network insurance, providing superbills for reimbursement.
2. Training and Education Programs: Organization provides paid training programs to businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits including LGBTQ+ 101, Trans 101, workplace inclusion, and compliance trainings (sexual harassment). Offered in-person and virtually.
3. Event Sponsorships: Corporate and business sponsorships for community events such as Midsommarfest, with various promotional levels and benefits for sponsors.
4. Donations and Charitable Support: Monthly donor program and one-time donations from individuals and organizations supporting LGBTQ+ mental health. Includes tribute gifts and planned giving options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Chicago Therapy Collective is Illinois's leading LGBTQ+ mental health nonprofit providing individual, couples, group, family, sex, and art therapy services in-person and via telehealth. The organization also runs the Hire Trans Now job board connecting trans and non-binary job seekers with inclusive employers, delivers organizational training and equity audit programs, and operates the Trans Art Is exhibition program and advocacy initiatives.

Product overview

Chicago Therapy Collective is Illinois's leading LGBTQ+ mental health nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of therapy and support services. The organization provides individual, couples, group, sex, family/teens, and art therapy services alongside specialized offerings like short-term therapy and letters of support for gender-affirming care. Beyond direct clinical services, CTC operates the Hire Trans Now job board, Trans Art Is exhibition program, Training & Education division offering organizational workshops, and advocacy initiatives. Services are available in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, some Arabic) both in-person and via telehealth across Illinois. The organization maintains a commitment to providing free therapy for uninsured and underinsured community members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Trans Art Is: An exhibition series that curates opportunities for expression, reflection, and dialogue centering transgender and gender non-conforming artists' experiences, perspectives, and creative works.
• Trans-Inclusive Chicago!
• Hire Trans Now
• Get Trained

Products and services

• Individual Therapy One-on-one therapeutic services addressing trauma-informed care, gender-affirming support, identity exploration, LGBTQ+ affirming mental health, and specialized modalities including somatic therapy, mindfulness, and IFS.
• Couples Therapy Therapeutic services for couples and partners focusing on strengthening emotional safety, improving communication, and deepening intimacy.
• Group Therapy Facilitated group sessions providing opportunities for growth alongside others navigating similar experiences in a supportive therapeutic environment.
• Sex Therapy Confidential therapy to explore sexual concerns, desires, and questions with trained professionals addressing desire differences, intimacy challenges, and sexual functioning.
• Family and Teens Therapy Family therapy services addressing communication breakdowns, emotional regulation, conflict, and life transitions for families and adolescents.
• Art Therapy Creative expression therapy using drawing, painting, and collage to explore emotions and experiences in a supportive therapeutic environment.
• Short Term Therapy and Letters of Support Targeted services including counseling for parents of LGBTQ+ children, life and career transitions, and assessment letters for gender-affirming care, fertility treatments, and emotional support animals.
• Hire Trans Now Job Board Trans-friendly workplace job board connecting transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive job candidates with inclusive employers in the Chicago area.
• Trans Art Is Exhibition Annual exhibition program curating opportunities for expression, reflection, and dialogue centering transgender and gender non-conforming artists' experiences, perspectives, and creative works.
• Training and Education Programs Organizational training programs including LGBTQ+ 101, Trans 101, Sexual Harassment training, LGBTQ+ Belonging in the Workplace, and specialized sessions on allyship, bystander intervention, and supporting Black and Latina Trans Women; offered in-person and virtually.
• Advocacy Programs Policy advocacy, legislative work, and systems-change strategies focused on LGBTQ+ safety, access to social determinants of health, and autonomy in mental health care at state and local levels.
• Equity Audit Program Collaborative assessment program combining document review, policy analysis, climate surveys, and customized surveys to evaluate LGBTQ+ inclusion practices for organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of clients see their therapists weekly
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Equality IllinoiscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Monthly statewide network meetings partnership for LGBTQ+ advocacy and education. Joint events to discuss issues impacting LGBTQ+ community and opportunities for civic engagement.
• Howard Brown HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2019Partnership through the Trans Accountability Project (TAP) created in March 2019, funded by Chicago Department of Public Health. Collaborates on training programs and initiatives addressing health, wellness, employment, and safety concerns of Black and Latina trans women.
• TaskForce Prevention and Community ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2019Partner in Trans Accountability Project focusing on best practices for supporting Black and Latina Trans Women in the workplace. Provides joint training programs and community resources.
• Andersonville Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partnership for Andersonville neighborhood events and business community engagement. Co-sponsors Midsommarfest and other local festivals.
• Bramble Arts LoftminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for community events and gatherings, located at 5545 N. Clark Street. Used for TDOV events, training sessions, and Afterglow performances.
• Cheetah GymminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner venue for Healing and Wellness Series including yoga, somatic movement, and dance classes for LGBTQ+ community members.
• Chicago HouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity health partner providing STI testing at CTC community events like Trans Day of Visibility celebrations.
• Putopia CollectiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerQTBIPOC collective providing entertainment and performances at CTC events including Midsommarfest and Afterglow shows.
• Women & Children First BookstoreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNeighbor organization adjacent to CTC mural location at 5237 N. Clark St. Community partner in Andersonville neighborhood.
• Chicago Commission on Human RelationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to address reports of discrimination regarding job positions on Hire Trans Now job board. Provides formal complaint mechanism for job seekers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Callen-Lorde Community Health Center: New York City LGBTQ+ focused health center providing affirming primary care, mental health, and community services. Closest analog to CTC's integrated clinical-plus-advocacy community health model.
• Fenway Health: Boston-based LGBTQ+ health center combining primary care, behavioral health, and community services. Comparable integrated care model serving LGBTQ+ patients with affirming mental health as a core service line.
• Affirmations: Michigan-based LGBTQ+ community center providing mental health, youth programs, and community services. Comparable community-anchored LGBTQ+ organization combining clinical services with cultural programming.
• Howard Brown Health: Chicago-based LGBTQ+ focused federally qualified health center and CTC's primary partner on the Trans Accountability Project. Both organizations deliver affirming care, training, and community programming to Chicago's LGBTQ+ population.
• Center on Halsted: Chicago's LGBTQ+ community center offering mental health, arts, and community programs. Operates in the same Chicago geography with an overlapping mission of LGBTQ+ community wellness and cultural programming.
• TherapyDen: Online therapist directory specifically built around identity-affirming filters including LGBTQ+, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Closest direct competitor in connecting LGBTQ+ clients to affirming therapists.
• The Trevor Project: National LGBTQ+ youth mental health organization providing crisis intervention and counseling. Directly comparable mission of LGBTQ+ affirming mental health services, though serving a younger population and at national scale.

Broad incumbents

• BetterHelp: Largest online therapy marketplace with a marketed LGBTQ+ affirming vertical. Comparable telehealth therapy delivery but at national scale, with materially larger marketing budget and broader therapist network.
• Lyra Health: Large employer-sponsored mental health benefits platform serving hundreds of enterprise customers. Overlaps with CTC's employer-facing training and EAP-adjacent work but operates at much greater scale across all populations.

Emerging players

• Open Path Psychotherapy Collective: Nonprofit network of therapists offering sessions at reduced rates to clients without adequate insurance coverage. Comparable mission of removing cost barriers to therapy but operates nationally without community programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/chitherapycollective
• Instagraminstagram.com/chitherapycollective/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chicago-therapy-collective

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chicago Therapy Collective