Recovery International

Recovery International Recovery International gives people the tools to lead more peaceful and productive lives using peer Thus evolved the peer-led self-help model we know today.

The mission of Recovery International is to to help individuals gain skills to lead more peaceful and productive lives. Recovery was founded in 1937 by neuropsychiatrist Dr. Abraham Low and his patients who sought to re-enter society after hospitalization, to talk about their conditions, and to eliminate the stigma of mental illness. The group was originally called “The Association of Nervous and

Former Mental Patients.” After one of their members was evicted from his rooming house because he received a letter with the Association’s return address, they decided to change the name to Recovery. The Recovery method wasn’t invented overnight—it was the result of more than 25 years of cognitive behavioral work. As the organization grew, Dr. Low realized that he needed to train others in his methods. Because he knew how overworked and understaffed many psychiatric hospitals were, he also realized the need to develop a consistent approach that could be replicated by nonprofessionals. When Dr. Low died in 1954, his widow, daughters and thousands of former patients ensured that his work continued. As the organization grew and expanded across the country and abroad, the name was changed to Recovery International.

05/01/2026

Recovery International member, Howard, shares his testimonials on the Recovery Method.

Outreach EventsThe Midwestern Psychological Association held its annual conference in Chicago with over 3800 attendees. ...
04/30/2026

Outreach Events

The Midwestern Psychological Association held its annual conference in Chicago with over 3800 attendees. Students, scholars, practitioners, and professionals attended to share their research and connect with psychological scientists from across the Midwest and the world. The conference included over 2200 research presentations and a large resource fair. RI staff Jessica Shurba (left) and Angela Sullivan (right) informed hundreds of students about the benefits of the Recovery Method to their future clients.

Easily and Comfortably Spot SabotageTuesday, May 19, 20267:00 p.m. Eastern(60 minutes via Zoom) - https://bit.ly/4mAuhEt...
04/29/2026

Easily and Comfortably Spot Sabotage
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
7:00 p.m. Eastern
(60 minutes via Zoom) - https://bit.ly/4mAuhEt

Do you sometimes struggle to spot the sabotage in an example? This special focus session will describe the importance of recognizing and spotting sabotage.

Join Rexie to:

1. Gain a better understanding of sabotage and why it is important to recognize for symptom relief.

2. Quickly and easily identify sabotage in your daily life.

3. Identify sabotage in each example given at meetings.

Free to all. Please register.

04/29/2026

April is Stress Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month has been recognized since 1992. Learning to cope with the daily stressors can go a long way in living a healthier and productive life. While there is no single definition for stress, according to the American Institute of Stress, the most common explanation is a “physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension.” These may include symptoms such as head pressure, tension, tightness, stomach disorders, and lowered feelings.
The Recovery Method has helped millions of people over our 86 year history find ways to drop the judgment of ourselves and others for the sake of our mental health. If you're feeling particularly stressed, there are 180 Recovery International meetings per week - many by Zoom, phone and chat - which are easy to join. Find relief with our self-help Method and peer-led meetings today.

Clear is Kind:Boundaries & Communication without GuiltThursday, May 7, 20267:00 p.m. Eastern(60 minutes via Zoom) - http...
04/28/2026

Clear is Kind:
Boundaries & Communication without Guilt
Thursday, May 7, 2026
7:00 p.m. Eastern
(60 minutes via Zoom) - https://bit.ly/41ZIjGt

Clear communication is an act of kindness — to yourself and others. Learn how to set healthy boundaries, communicate with confidence, and release guilt while honoring your needs in both personal and professional spaces. The session provides practical strategies for confident, kind communication and emphasizes that establishing limits is an act of self-respect. Presented by Christa Cornelius, Peer Engagement, Learning & Systems Manager at NAMI Illinois.

Sponsored by the Program and Leader Support Committee (PALS).

Free to all. Please register.

04/28/2026

Tell us three words that describe you before and after practicing the Recovery Method.

Total Experience"Our body has two ways of experiencing a situation. No matter what the nature of the situation, it is ap...
04/27/2026

Total Experience

"Our body has two ways of experiencing a situation. No matter what the nature of the situation, it is approached with either a sense of security or one of insecurity. If your attitude happens to be that of security, your entire body will partake of that experience. Your thoughts, feelings, sensations and impulses, your muscles and inner organs, even your tiniest fibers and most minute particles of tissues will share in the total experience of security which now governs your body. Experiencing security, they will all be largely devoid of strain, tenseness, commotion and excitement. When thoughts express security then impulses cannot be restless and erratic, barring certain organic diseases. Nor is it likely that feelings would be relaxed and sensations disturbed and muscles taut. The prevailing sense of security may be mild or exalted; or the experience of insecurity may be moderate or severe. But whatever its degree or intensity, the entire body is affected. It is a total experience."

Mental Health Through Will-Training,
Ch. 11 (5th Edition), pg. 79

04/27/2026

What brought you to RI?

Resource FairMarian Carbajal and Jessica Mondragon in San Diego hosted an RI booth at a resource fair at Grossmont Colle...
04/26/2026

Resource Fair

Marian Carbajal and Jessica Mondragon in San Diego hosted an RI booth at a resource fair at Grossmont College.

04/26/2026

Feeling Stuck? First you make your habits and then your habits make you! In order to change your life change your habits. Easier said than done! What drives your habits? For over eight decades, RI method is a practice of learned tools helping people get relief from depression and negative thoughts. Make permanent changes for a productive peaceful life.

Conference PresentationLynn Tumpa and Lisa Brown presented a very interactive Power Your Mind session at the Youth & Hea...
04/25/2026

Conference Presentation

Lynn Tumpa and Lisa Brown presented a very interactive Power Your Mind session at the Youth & Health Conference in Los Angeles to 60 people - a mix of counselors, teachers, professionals and individuals looking for additional mental health support attended.

04/25/2026

"It helped me feel that I was in control of my illness instead of feeling that the illness was controlling me. With the tools I learned and with the community to support me, my journey to better mental health is so much easier!" - Lynette

Address

1415 West 22nd Street #Tower Floor, # Tower
Oak Brook, IL
60523

Telephone

+13123375661

Website

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