The evening centered around something so many families are thinking about right now—how to support mental wellness at home in real, practical ways. One of the highlights was a thoughtful and engaging presentation led by Dr. Rachael Sytsma-Ramos, who spoke with parents about mental wellness and social-emotional learning (SEL). Her approach was both accessible and meaningful, breaking down big ideas into things families can actually use day to day.

Rachael emphasized that mental wellness isn’t just about responding when something feels “off”—it’s about building strong foundations. She walked through ways parents can help children identify and express emotions, develop coping strategies, and strengthen communication within the family. The focus on social-emotional learning really stood out, especially the idea that skills like emotional awareness, empathy, and problem-solving are just as essential as academic learning.

What made the presentation especially impactful was how grounded it felt. Instead of abstract theory, parents walked away with tangible strategies—simple check-ins, modeling emotional language, creating predictable routines, and making space for kids to feel heard. It was clear that small, consistent efforts can have a powerful ripple effect on a family’s overall functioning.

Beyond the presentation, the event also featured a vibrant community health fair. Families had the chance to connect with a range of local organizations and providers, all offering resources and support related to mental health, wellness, and family services. It added another layer to the evening—reminding everyone that support doesn’t stop at home or school, but extends into the broader community. Thanks to Dr. Myk Merrill for supporting Relational Psychology Group’s services by staffing our booth and helping the students build their self-care bags along the way.

Overall, the Healthy Minds event felt like a meaningful investment in families. It created space for learning, connection, and reflection—while reinforcing that supporting mental health is something we can all actively build into our daily lives.

Thank you to the community partners who participated in the Healthy Minds Health Fair: Skokie Public Library, Weber Center, Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook, Wait Until 8th, and Family Service Center

Thank you to Jane Stenson’s PTA for inviting us to present and participate! We love partnering with our community members to foster mental health in every environment.

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If your child has ever dreamed of going on an epic quest, solving mysteries with a team, or stepping into the shoes of a brave hero, there’s an exciting new opportunity waiting right here in Skokie. Hosted at our Skokie office, this innovative group offers a powerful—and fun—way for young people to grow emotionally and socially.

Where Imagination Meets Growth

Tabletop role-playing games (think collaborative storytelling adventures similar to Dungeons & Dragons) invite participants to create characters, navigate challenges, and work together to overcome obstacles. Under Dr. Merrill’s guidance, these adventures become more than just games—they become meaningful opportunities for personal development.

What Makes This Group So Impactful?

Through guided gameplay, participants will:

• Build Confidence
  Trying out new roles and making decisions in a supportive environment helps teens develop a stronger sense of self and confidence in their abilities.
• Practice Social Skills
  Players collaborate, communicate, negotiate, and problem-solve as a team—skills that naturally translate into real-life interactions.
• Engage in Creative Problem-Solving
  Every session presents new challenges that require imagination, flexibility, and strategic thinking.
• Increase Frustration Tolerance
  Not every quest goes as planned—and that’s part of the growth. Participants learn to cope with setbacks and persist through challenges.
• Enhance Emotional Awareness and Expression
  Stepping into a character’s perspective helps teens explore and express a wide range of emotions in a safe, structured setting.

Why TTRPG Therapy?

This approach meets young people where they are—curious, creative, and eager for connection. It’s especially effective for those who may struggle in traditional talk therapy settings or who benefit from experiential, hands-on learning.

By combining structured gameplay with therapeutic insight, Dr. Merrill creates a space where participants feel engaged, understood, and empowered.

Join the Adventure

This group is ideal for tweens and teens looking to build friendships, strengthen social-emotional skills, and have a great time doing it. Whether your child is new to tabletop games or already loves them, they’ll find a welcoming space to explore, grow, and thrive.

Spots are limited, and interest is expected to be high—so don’t miss the chance to be part of this unique and transformative experience.

Ready to roll the dice on growth? Contact our Skokie office today to learn more or reserve a spot in the Table Top Role-Playing Game Therapy Group.

The post Now Offering: Youth TTRPG Group first appeared on Relational Psychology Group, Inc..

Specializing in working with LGBTQI2SA+ clients, communities, and relationships, a beautiful team was built around our shared values and mission-driven work. Our goals have been and continue to be: 

• To make quality mental health care accessible and oriented to the clients we work with.
• To promote political change through our clinical and advocacy work.
• To help our clients and communities feel empowered to make change and find health
• To make accessing mental health care easy to understand and empowering.

With these values in mind, we have long offered accessible payment structures for our in-need community members. We built a Pay-What-You-Can model for those without insurance and a Deductible Payment Plan for those with insurance but with coverage that created a burden to accessing quality mental health care with competent and caring clinicians. 

However, the need for these services has increased dramatically, and it has taken a toll on our agency as a whole. In order to keep our agency running, we need your help!

If you believe in our mission, please consider donating today. Your donation will help us offset the cost of offering PWYC and DPP for our in-need clients, keep the lights on, and support our clinicians who are dedicated to continuing offering Queer-Affirming care during a time where Queer and Trans folx are under attack. 

http://spot.fund/t4qgs59sc

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Please see the details below!

All are welcome to this FREE community event where LGBTQ individuals will exchange gently used clothes to find gender-affirming or identity-affirming clothing, promote sustainability, and build community in a safe and welcoming space. 

Teevent has been created in response to requests from local school GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) clubs to host community-building events. Participants may take home new clothes, often with a focus on styles that allow for self-expression.

Main Event
Saturday, October 11, from 9:30 a.m. – noon
Devonshire Cultural Center
4400 Greenwood St.
A light breakfast and refreshments will be served.

Email skokiepride@skokieparks.org to find out more about the event.

This event is being sponsored by the Skokie Pride Committee. 

https://www.skokieparks.org/events/queer-clothing-swap

The post Skokie Queer Clothing Swap! first appeared on Relational Psychology Group, Inc..

This workshop aims to equip therapists with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide ethical and effective therapy to marginalized populations in divisive political landscapes. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and experiential exercises, participants will explore the unique challenges and strengths of diverse communities, develop cultural humility, and learn practical strategies for culturally responsive care.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and understand the specific challenges faced by marginalized populations in accessing and engaging in mental health services.
• Develop cultural humility and self-awareness regarding personal biases and assumptions.
• Learn practical strategies for building rapport and trust with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Apply ethical guidelines for working with vulnerable populations.
• Develop culturally responsive assessment and treatment planning skills.
• Explore advocacy and systemic change strategies to address disparities in mental healthcare.

For more information, please check out Haymarket Center’s workshop page:
https://haymarketcenter.org/summer-workshops/

The post Dr. Rachael Sytsma-Ramos presenting at Haymarket Center for their Summer Workshop Series first appeared on Relational Psychology Group, Inc..

What makes us different from other group practices? Well, having shared identity experiences allows us to speak a similar language as our clients without having to be educated or feeling forced. You won’t need to explain cruising, gender dysphoria, or plural systems to us. We get it! We also try to operate within an anti-capital framework where we can. Do we need to make money to feed ourselves? Yes! But can we make financial arrangements with clients that make sense to them and won’t ruin the therapeutic relationship? Also yes! Our mission is to make mental health care for our communities accessible and affordable.

The folx at Relational Psychology Group view our role as mental health practitioners differently. We believe the personal is political and the political is personal. And that means therapy is always political. Our job is to work with our clients one-on-one in the hopes of challenging and changing the systems we all operate within, at large. We do more than acknowledge that the world is a dumpster fire. We spend our time engaging in community, training, political demonstrations, etc., so that we can fight against fascism and colonialism.

If you’re looking for therapists who are knowledgeable, ethical, and competent but can also talk drag queens, Minecraft, and existential dread, you’ve come to the right place. We can’t wait to meet you!

~RSR
A.K.A. Dr. Rachael Sytsma-Ramos, PsyD, HSP

The post Hello World! first appeared on Relational Psychology Group, Inc..