The Chicago Therapy Collective (CTC) is a group of community organizers and therapists who work on transgender-related issues within the city of Chicago. The CTC claims to advocate on improving the health of members of the transgender community within the Chicago region. In addition to working on mental health issues, the CTC hosts art shows in order to advocate and increase transgender visibility. It also offers trainings and seminars for organizations to increase the hiring of transgender employees. ¹

In 2020, the Evanston Skokie School District 65 in Illinois hired the CTC to conduct a curriculum development and training, among other things. ²

Background

The Chicago Therapy Collective (CTC) is a group of community organizers and therapists who work to improve the health and well-being of transgender people in Chicago. The collective works through therapy, education, advocacy, and the arts. ¹

The CTC was founded in 2018 and claims to advocate for promoting transgender art through exhibitions and performance nights. It also produces seminars and trainings to encourage businesses and other institutions to increase hiring of those who identify as transgender. ¹

The CTC’s flagship initiative is called the Trans Inclusive Chicago program, which claims to advocate for increased employment of individuals whom identify as transgender people within the city of Chicago. It also sponsors trainings and seminars to allegedly encourage non-transgender individuals to work alongside members of the transgender community. ³

In 2020, the CTC renamed the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, which is celebrated on November 20, to the Transgender Day of Resilience. A member of the collective told a Philadelphia TV station that it was done to stop portraying transgender people as victims. Instead, the collective hosted its “Trans Art Is” presentation, which was done virtually in accordance with COVID-19 protocols. ⁴

Contract With Skokie Schools

In 2020, the Chicago Therapy Collective (CTC) received a contract from the Evanston Skokie School District for $25,000, to provide a “LGBTQ+ Focused Policy Review,” staff survey, and curriculum development and training. ²

According to the school district, the CTC hosted a series of workshops and trainings and produced content to encourage the hiring and retention of transgender staff. It also taught school staff to be “allies in the workplace.” ⁵

Leadership

Iggy V Ladden is the founder and executive director of the Chicago Therapy Collective (CTC). Ladden also serves as the collective’s lead trainer and the co-founder of the #HireTransNow campaign. Ladden also has a private practice in the Andersonville section of Chicago that serves a transgender clientele. ⁶

Finances

While the Chicago Therapy Collective (CTC) is described as a nonprofit, the collective has not filed for nonprofit status with the IRS as of November 2021. The organization accepts donations through its website, which it claims are tax-deductible. ⁷

According to the Chicago City Wire, in2024, the CTC reportedly received $1.5 million in grants from the state of Illinois. These included $500,000 from the Illinois Department of Human Services for “administrative services associated with violence prevention programs, youth employment programs, and operational expenses,” ⁸ another $500,000 from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority’s “State Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Fund” for “administrative costs” ⁸ and five additional grants totaling $500,000 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for “costs associated with building renovations” as well as “Iinfrastructure improvements.” ⁸

1. “Mission.” Chicago Therapy Collective. Accessed November 1, 2021. https://chicagotherapycollective.org/mission/.
2. “Chicago Therapy Collective.” Parents Defending Education. Accessed November 1, 2021. https://defendinged.org/report/chicago-therapy-collective/.
3. “TRANSINCLUSIVECHI.” Trans Inclusive Chicago. Accessed November 1, 2021. http://www.transinclusivechicago.org/.
4. Henderson, Jalyn. “Chicago Trans-Led Non-Profit Emphasizes Resilience Over Victimization On Trans Day Of Remembrance.” 6ABC Philadelphia. November 22, 2020. https://6abc.com/transgender-day-of-remembrance-resilience-tdor-2020/8124033/.
5. Miracles In Action- Highlights From The 2020-21 School Year. Evanston Skokie School District 65. 2021. https://www.district65.net/cms/lib/IL01906289/Centricity/Domain/4/MIRACLES%20in%20Action%202020-2021%20English.pdf.
6. “Team.” Chicago Therapy Collective. Accessed November 1, 2021. https://chicagotherapycollective.org/team/.
7. Henderson, Jalyn. “Chicago Trans-Led Non-Profit Emphasizes Resilience Over Victimization On Trans Day Of Remembrance.” 6ABC Philadelphia. November 22, 2020. https://6abc.com/transgender-day-of-remembrance-resilience-tdor-2020/8124033/.
8. LGIS News Service. “Illinois DOGE Profile: $1.5 million to the Chicago Therapy Collective to advocate for cross-dressing.” Chicago City Wire, April 4, 2025. https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/670767448-illinois-doge-profile-1-5-million-to-the-chicago-therapy-collective-to-advocate-for-cross-dressing