Peer-Support
Peer-support might be right for you if you do not want treatment or a diagnosis, do not need or do not qualify for insurance reimbursement or coverage, or prefer to keep your services from being documented with any other organization. Our peer-support specialists are not clinical therapists and do not provide any medical care. They each have a unique set of skills and lived experiences that can supplement clinical services or independently offer support for myriad life stressors.
The Hinterlands offers virtual peer support worldwide. In-person peer support is offered at our office in Irving Park, Chicago.
Our Peer-Support Offerings
Death and Grief Processing: Death and grief peer support provides a compassionate space to share your experiences with loss and mourning. Connect with others who understand the complex emotions involved in navigating loss, whether recent or long-term. Our peer support focuses on mutual support, storytelling, and honoring individual journeys through grief.
Mad/Crip Support Groups: A disability-affirming peer support space for Mad/Crip-identified folks to connect, share experiences, and build solidarity. These groups prioritize autonomy, resistance to medicalization, and collective empowerment, providing support free from judgment or clinical pathologization.
Plant/Herb Tending: Engage in nurturing living things alongside peers who share a passion for plants and herbalism. This peer-support offering provides opportunities for connection, learning, and grounding through shared care of plants. It’s a gentle way to build community through nature-based practice and mutual encouragement.
Hospice Support: Compassionate peer support for individuals who are caregiving, grieving, or preparing for end-of-life experiences. Hospice peer support provides a safe and understanding environment to explore the emotional, spiritual, and practical aspects of hospice care, with shared wisdom and compassionate presence.
We are always adding new peer-support offerings. Check our Announcements page regularly for updates.
Peer-Support FAQs
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Peer support might be right for you if you’re seeking connection, presence, and care without diagnosis, treatment plans, or medical oversight. It’s a good fit if you want to talk to someone who’s walked a similar path and can offer solidarity, not solutions. Peer support is especially helpful if you prefer non-clinical approaches, want privacy from insurance systems, or simply need a space to be with someone who understands what you’re going through in a grounded, relational way. If you’re unsure, we’re happy to talk it through and help you decide.
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Nope. Peer support is for anyone seeking connection, grounding, or accompaniment during life’s transitions. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from being witnessed and supported by someone who gets it.
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No. Peer support at The Hinterlands is not a medical service and is not eligible for insurance reimbursement. This also means your participation is confidential and won’t be shared with insurers, providers, or other institutions.
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We are dedicated to providing affordable peer support to our community. We offer a range of cash-pay options, including sliding scale payment. These rates are based on availability and the type of peer support, and typically range from $25 to the full fee.
Sliding scale slots are limited and tend to fill quickly. During your intake call, you can ask whether there is currently sliding scale availability.