Minnesota Community Circle


Minnesota Community Circle is a collaborative committed to saturating Minnesota with free virtual emotional support. Through free, trauma-informed listening circles and community-based care, we offer accessible spaces for connection, reflection, and emotional support during times of crisis.

Our Mission

Listening Circles 

Minnesota Community Circle listening circles are designed to provide a structured, trauma-informed space for participants to share experiences, be witnessed, and connect with others during times of stress or crisis. The scope of these circles is limited to emotional support, reflection, and community connection.

Participants are encouraged to seek individual support from qualified local professionals or emergency services as needed. Resources for additional support will be shared at the conclusion of each circle.

What We Do

Listening circles do not include:

  • Therapy, counseling, or clinical mental health treatment

  • Diagnosis, assessment, or treatment planning

  • Crisis intervention, emergency services, or risk assessment

  • Medical, legal, or professional advice

Disclaimer

Listening Circles are facilitated by individuals offering trauma-informed support and structured space for sharing. These circles are not therapy and do not establish a clinical or therapeutic relationship.

Listening Circles

What to Expect

Virtual listening circles are offered in recognition of the collective and cumulative trauma many people across Minnesota have experienced in recent years. They are designed to provide a steady, compassionate space for connection, reflection, and support during ongoing stress and uncertainty.

At the beginning of each circle, clear community guidelines are read aloud to support emotional safety, respect, and consent. Participants are given a set amount of time to share, ensuring that everyone who needs to be heard has the opportunity to be witnessed. You are always welcome to pass, listen quietly, or simply be present.

Circles are gently facilitated by trained providers who prioritize trauma-informed principles, including choice, pacing, and non-judgment. There is no cross-talk, advice-giving, or fixing—only attentive listening and acknowledgment. There are co-facilitators to ensure safety of the group at all times, manage the chat, and remove folks who are in the groups to cause disruption in any way. 

These listening circles are not therapy or crisis services. They are a supportive, confidential space intended to reduce isolation, foster regulation, and remind participants that they are not alone. At the conclusion of each circle, local resources are shared, including information about how to connect with Minnesota behavioral health providers who are currently accepting referrals for individual therapy.

Select a Listening Circle

Groups listed are accepting new members. Pre-register for the group you are interested in joining, and a Provider will reach out to you to complete pre-screening and provide additional details.

Available groups are updated frequently.
Last update 3/14/26

Medical Providers Circle

This is a support group for anyone living in Minnesota & working in the medical profession, including, but not limited to:

  • Doctors

  • Nurse Practitioners

  • Physician Assistants

  • Nurses

  • Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers

Available Now
Sundays - 4pm CST

Beyond the Binary Circle

Beyond the binary is a listening group for Minnesotan adult people who live outside the gender norms. It’s a place to be heard, sit with others who get it, and to exist without having to explain yourself.  You can talk, you can listen, you can simply be present. This is not a therapy group, it’s a space to share your experiences and current climate in a shared community space.

Available Now
Wednesdays - 11 am CST

Saturday Share

Listening Circle for any adult (aged 18+) who feels overwhelmed, grief-stricken, confused, frustrated, etc., about what is happening in their neighborhoods. This is a safe space for anyone in the general population to have their personal experiences feel seen, heard & validated.

Available Now
Sundays - 10 am CST

Escuchemonos (Let’s Listen to Each Other)

Listening circle for Spanish-speaking Minnesota community members. Un círculo de escucha para miembros de la comunidad de Minnesota.

Available Now
Sundays - 3 pm CST

Circle for Mindfulness & Action

This is a support group for any adult Minnesotan to reflect, grieve, rejuvenate, and move toward meaningful action. My hope is that this group empowers members to practice mindful awareness and allow this awareness to move them to meaningful action. Everyone is welcome here.

Note: This is not a spiritual or religious group and this group is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Center for Action and Contemplation in any way.

Available Now
Mondays - 5 pm CST

Helpers and Caretakers

This will be a safe space for helpers and caretakers to attend and share what is wanted (if anything), and the group will offer a space for connections to be made in efforts to provide validation, support, and appreciation to one another. This group will provide a space for those who are enduring traumatic events while also holding and balancing the needs of others.

Available Now
Thursdays - 11 am CST

Therapist Circle

Listening circle for any professional in the mental health field - social workers, counselors, psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists, Psyc NPs, etc.

Starts: March 20th
Fridays - 11 am CST

Fridays with Friends

This is a welcoming, comforting space for attendees to come and feel connected to other community members while also receiving support, encouragement, and appreciation from one another.

Starts: April 3rd
Fridays - 12 pm CST

Educator Resilience & Reflection Circle

This facilitated listening circle is a structured, peer-based support space for educators impacted by current events in Minneapolis. This is not therapy, but a guided community space that blends reflective dialogue with experiential practices inspired by Theatre of the Oppressed and humanitarian response models.

Participants can expect grounding practices, clear agreements, creative reflection exercises (no performance experience needed), and opportunities for collective witnessing and empowerment, all within a supportive virtual setting.

Starts: March 28th
Saturdays - 3 pm CST

If you are a school or community-based organization that would like to provide a Listening Circle directly for your community, complete our interest form.

Request Assistance for Your Community


Immediate Crisis Support

Immediate Crisis Support (24/7)

911 for Immediate Danger – If someone is in immediate danger to themselves or others, calling 911 is appropriate and lifesaving.  

Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor by text message. Available 24/7 and can be less intimidating than voice calls.  

Minnesota Crisis Line (“CRISIS”) – Call CRISIS (274747) from anywhere in Minnesota to reach a local crisis team near you.  

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Text or Call 988) https://988lifeline.org/

COPE – Community Outreach for Psychiatric Emergencies

Health intervention for adults and children experiencing an emotional crisis that threatens personal safety.

Phone
612-596-1223 (24/7)

Services include
Crisis support by phone
Admission to crisis shelters

Eligibility
The individual must be in Hennepin County at the time of the crisis.

Crisis intervention
(outside of the Twin Cities)

Anoka:  763-755-3801
Carver/Scott:  952-442-7601
Dakota: 952-891-7171
Washington:  651-275-7400 

For additional locations, view the
Mental Health Crisis Contact Numbers

Hennepin County Acute Psychiatric Services

Phone: 612-873-3161

Services for adults, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week:  assessment and possible hospitalization for psychiatric emergencies. Emergency entrance at Hennepin County Medical Center, 8th and Chicago Ave., Minneapolis.

Ramsey County Adult Mental Health Urgent Care

Phone: 651-266-7900

The Adult Mental Health unit provides 24-hour phone, mobile outreach and limited walk-in for assess and services for psychiatric emergencies. Can refer to mobile crisis services in surrounding counties.

Regions Hospital Crisis Program

Phone: 651-254-1000

24 hours a day, 7 days a week:  assessment for psychiatric emergencies and possible hospitalization. Main hospital/Emergency entrance is at 640 Jackson St. in St. Paul.

Community Specific Helplines

The Trevor Project
Support for LGBTQ+ young people
866-488-7386 (phone/text)

211 – United Way
A free statewide information line that can connect you to local health, social, and crisis services and offer interpretation in multiple languages. Call 800-543-7709 or text your zip code to 898-211*

Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline
For agricultural communities
833-600-2670 (text “FARMSTRESS” to 898211)


Individual Therapy Resources

Walk In Counseling Center

In-Person
2421 Chicago Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404

Virtual Options
By Phone: 1-312-626-6799
When prompted, enter Meeting ID: 458-270-804

By Computer:
https://zoom.us/j/458270804

https://walkin.org

Roots Wellness Center

Address
1916 University Ave W
St. Paul, MN 55104

Phone
612-289-5656

https://rwc-mn.com

Sagent Behavioral Health

80 locations in Minnesota and taking new patients

https://sagentbh.com/

Are you a Minnesota Behavioral Health Provider?

We are seeking providers who:

  • Want to receive referrals for individual therapy.

  • Are willing to complete a brief, free screening process. 

  • Value inclusive, diverse representation so all communities feel supported. 

Spread the Word

Be the link that connects a neighbor to the support they need. By printing and sharing our flyer, you’re reaching those who might be isolated, shut-in, or disconnected from community. The flyer features a simple QR code that opens up information on our free virtual Listening Circles, registration, and local resources.

How can you help? Post a copy at your local library, leave a few at a clinic, or hand-deliver one to a neighbor. Your small act of sharing can have a lasting impact.

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