CHICAGO, IL — TaskForce Prevention & Community Services is expanding access to affirming mental health care by offering free therapy services for LGBTQ+ youth and adults in need on Chicago’s West Side.

The program is designed to remove common barriers to care, including cost, stigma, and limited access to culturally responsive mental health providers. By offering free therapy in a trusted, community-based setting, TaskForce aims to support historically underserved populations who are too often excluded from quality mental health care.

“At TaskForce, we know that healing is part of prevention,” said Reyna Ortiz, Programs Director at TaskForce. “Providing free therapy to our participants will hopefully allow them to better understand the deeper issues impacting them and begin the process of healing.”

Therapy services will be provided by Annette N. Sandoval, MA, LPC, CADC, a bilingual therapist in English and Spanish who specializes in working with LGBTQIA+ and marginalized communities. Her practice is inclusive of queer, trans, non-binary, questioning, and allied individuals, creating a therapeutic space where participants’ experiences are honored and affirmed.

“Launching the free therapy program at TaskForce is deeply important to me because it creates access to mental health support for individuals who may otherwise never seek or receive care,” said Sandoval. “Too often, people struggle in silence due to financial barriers, stigma, or lack of resources, and I believe everyone deserves a safe space to be heard, supported, and empowered.”

For many LGBTQ+ people, particularly Black, Brown, low-income, and West Side residents, mental health care is inaccessible. TaskForce’s free therapy program is part of the organization’s broader commitment to holistic services that meet people where they are.

Community members interested in therapy services can connect to care by filling out the interest form.