Counseling Groups

Counseling groups are safe spaces for you to share your feelings and find support from others facing similar situations. In counseling groups, you will: 

• Share experiences and broaden your perspectives.
• Receive feedback and support from other group members.
• Identify new ways to improve your relationship with yourself and others.

Counseling groups are typically composed of 6-10 members and 1-2 professional group leaders. They meet once a week for either 60 or 90 minutes.  

• Understanding Self & Others (USO)

  Building and Strengthening Relationships: Thursdays 3:30- 5:00; Fridays 1:10-2:30 p.m. (in-person)

  If you’re having a hard time with romantic partners, friends, or family, this group is a safe space to practice creating meaningful relationships and to learn more about yourself. This group can help it your main challenges are problems like difficulty expressing yourself to others, fear of disappointing people, worrying about being a burden to others, keeping your “walls up” with people you’d like to be close to, or difficulty saying “no.” Are you having a hard time in relationships? If so, this group can help!

  Graduate Student Therapy Group: Mondays 3:30 - 5:00 (in-person)

  This semester-long group is a good fit for graduate students facing challenges related to academic and career issues, self-esteem/confidence, interpersonal relationships (both personal and professional), identity concerns, and mental health struggles. 

• POINT- Processing of Interpersonal Trauma

  POINT- Processing of Interpersonal Trauma: Wednesdays 2:10 - 3:30 (in-person) 

  This semester-long group is appropriate for survivors of interpersonal violence, including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, or childhood emotional/physical/sexual abuse. This group will focus on supporting survivors, including establishing a “new normal” and enhancing compassion towards self. 

• Grief and Loss

  Grief and Loss Support Group: Thursdays 1:30 – 3:00 (in-person)

  Gathering in the shared experience of living with and adapting to the loss of a significant member (e.g., family, friend, or romantic partner) of one’s life. We invite undergraduate and graduate students into a relational processing of their grief; to join alongside peers in the shared experience of living with and making meaning of their loss.

• Trans*cend (Gender Diversity Support)

  Trans*cend (Gender Diversity Support): Fridays 4:10 - 5:00 (in-person)

  This semester-long group provides a safe and welcoming space for trans*, non-binary, intersex, gender-non-conforming, gender fluid, and/or gender-questioning students. It is an inclusive space for students to receive and offer support, share their experiences, and build community and empowerment in the face of challenging social, political, or family environments. This group remains open and continues to accept new members throughout the semester.  

• Cougs Affirming Neurodiversity (CAN)

  Cougs Affirming Neurodiversity (CAN): Wednesdays 11:10- 12:00 (in-person)

  This student-centered support group is dedicated to celebrating and embracing the unique strengths and perspectives of students with diverse neurological conditions, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. We offer a safe and inclusive space that values and affirms neurodiversity. Whether you have a formal diagnosis or not, CAN Group is here to support you! 

• Shame to Strength:

  Shame to Strength: Tuesdays 2:30- 4:00 (in-person)

  This 7-week group is a good fit for students who struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, low self-confidence, or self-criticism. Throughout this group, you will learn different ways to identify, challenge, and ultimately reduce feelings of shame. It’s also a space to receive support from others who may have similar experiences with shame and self-criticism.

• CBT Anxiety

  Tuesdays 1:10 - 2:00 (in-person); Wednesdays 2:10 - 3:00 (via Zoom) 

  This 6-week group utilizes cognitive-behavioral treatment that focuses on helping students challenge unhelpful thoughts and learn CBT skills and relaxation techniques to more effectively cope with anxiety. It is best suited for students having issues such as test anxiety, generalized anxiety, social anxiety/public speaking, panic disorder, and other depressive or adjustment disorder with anxiety features.

• Mindfulness

  Mindfulness: Wednesdays 10:10 - 11:00 (in-person)

  This group helps students learn mindfulness techniques (e.g., mindful breathing, sitting meditation, body scan, loving-kindness, mindfulness of thoughts, etc.) to relieve stress and worry, find a sense of calm, improve concentration and clarity, and increase self-compassion. It is well-suited for students with concerns relating to stress, anxiety, depression, and pain management.

• Mood Management

  Mood Management: Fridays 11:10 – 12:00 (in-person)

  This 8-week group focuses on balancing wisdom from logic and emotions, shifting focus from autopilot, increasing distress tolerance, and improving relationships while acting congruently with values. It offers both information and discussion components and is ideal for students struggling with anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation. It is a drop-in group, meaning students can choose to join at any point depending on their interest in particular topics covered in this group.

• Getting Unstuck

  Getting Unstuck: Tuesdays 3:10- 4:00 (in-person); Thursdays 11:10 - 12:00 (via Zoom)

  This 5-week group helps students “get unstuck” by teaching you skills to manage difficult thoughts/feelings/behaviors (e.g., anxiety, perfectionism, shame, procrastination) through acceptance and mindfulness strategies. These skills serve as a roadmap to help you identify what is important to you and actively create a meaningful life. Each week is a new skill/topic and students can join at any time.