Mental Health Counseling and Support

Group counseling is a natural extension of the way you live your daily life, interacting with others. But instead of talking to your family, social networks or classes, you talk with similar students and with counselors who can help.

During group counseling, you will likely find that you have a lot in common with other group members, and that other people may have the same types of difficulties that you are facing. We work hard to create a strong level of trust, so everyone in the group can talk openly and honestly.

A typical group includes 6-12 students and 1-2 therapists, and meets once per week. Under the skilled direction of the group therapists, the group is able to give support, and offer alternative perspectives and new skills. By following this process, you can address your concerns, learn alternative behaviors, and develop new ways of relating to people.

How much you talk about yourself depends upon what you are comfortable with. You control what you share with the group; in fact, we encourage you not to share until you’re ready. Group leaders are there to help develop a safe environment and facilitate the conversation.

Different types of groups are offered each semester with the following focus/themes:

Wednesdays 2:30-4:00 p.m. - In-person (Richmond, North Campus)

The Black Student Support group is a space dedicated entirely to the experience of being Black. We invite members of the African diaspora to come together to create community and dialogue around what it means for you to be Black. In this group we will discuss various topics including culture, racial/ethnic identity, colorism, intersectionality, family, the diversity.

Wednesdays 2:30-4:00 p.m. - In-person

The Black Student Support group is a space dedicated entirely to the experience of being Black. We invite members of the African diaspora to come together to create community and dialogue around what it means for you to be Black. In this group we will discuss various topics including culture, racial/ethnic identity, colorism, intersectionality, family, the diversity.

Mondays 3:00-4:30 pm – Online

This group provides a safe, supportive, and comfortable place for international students to discuss adjustment stressors and cross-cultural experiences in the U.S. The group also creates a safe and confidential environment for group members to share information and support each other.

Tuesdays 2:30-4:00 pm – In-Person (Richmond, North Campus)

This group is designed to allow graduate and non-traditional students to explore the unique challenges they face in a safe and supportive environment. It can help students explore their identity, find new ways of relating to others, recognize how stressors impact them, and share personal experiences. The group can assist students in finding alternative ways of looking at life’s challenges to enable the development of healthier coping strategies. 

Thursdays 1:00-2:30 pm –  Online

This group provides a warm and supportive environment where members can experiment constructively in a confidential environment with new ways of relating to others, share personal experiences, express fears and concerns, and get support and feedback. People participate in this group for a number of reasons including having difficulties in relationships, finding their relationships are not satisfying, being curious about how others perceive them, and seeking support when experimenting with new relational behaviors.

Tuesdays 2:00-3:30 pm – In-Person (Michael Hall, South Campus) 
*** 5-week group, offered twice during the semester***

Do you feel like what you accomplish is never quite good enough? Do you worry about making mistakes or failing at something? Perfectly Imperfect offers a reflective and playful time for self-connection and uses expressive art activities to learn ways to let go of perfectionism, develop self-compassion, and embrace who you are. Art journaling relies on the use of art supplies and creative techniques without the necessary pressure of a perfect result. The group offers an alternative means of self-expression and connecting with others.  No previous experience with art in needed and all supplies will be provided. 

Thursdays 3:00-4:30 pm –Online

This is a group for students to increase understanding of their current experiences and to find ways to cope and connect with others. Attention will be given to our unique individual experiences and to the contexts in which we experience them, in order to increase the capacity to respond more compassionately to ourselves and to one another.

Tuesdays 3:00-4:30 p.m. – Online

This structured group will teach skills to live in the present, deal with stress, manage difficult emotions, and handle interpersonal conflict in effective ways. 

Wednesdays 2:00-3:30 pm –  Online

A structured group for women who want to explore their relationship with body image, food, and emotions. This group is for individuals who are in various stages of preoccupation with food and body image concerns. Skills will be taught to live more intentionally and mindfully in the present, deal with stress, manage difficult emotions, and handle interpersonal conflict. Participants will also learn to connect with and live in their bodies more effectively.

Wednesdays 2:00-3:30 pm–  Online
*** 5-week group, offered twice during the semester***

This structured group will provide students with education and coping strategies to help with stress, anxiety, and mood management.  Some of the topics covered may include self-care, relaxation and effective stress management, coping with anxiety in healthy ways, and increasing positive emotions. 

Thursdays 12:00-1:30 pm – Online
*** 5-week group, offered twice during the semester***

Are you feeling stuck in your studying – finding yourself easily distracted or procrastinating? This group teaches psychological tools to help students better manage the thoughts and feelings that can negatively impact academic functioning, and helps students to act more in line with their academic goals.  

Wednesdays 12:30-2:00 pm – Online

Self-compassion involves being warm and understanding toward ourselves when we suffer, fail, or feel inadequate. Self-compassion is the opposite of ignoring our pain or punishing ourselves with self-judgment. Research suggest that the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion can help people regulate emotions, engage in healthy self-care, and respond to adversity in resilient ways. This group will help students learn the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion in order to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and life challenges in healthy and balanced ways.

Thursdays 3:00-4:30 pm – Online

iRest meditation recognizes that we interpret our human experiences through our constantly changing thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. This yoga-based meditation practice incorporates psychology and neuroscience in training group members to welcome, connect with and engage these changing (and sometimes strong) states, while in a relaxed state. Members will learn to focus and release attention in a way that cultivates concentration, letting go when feeling stuck and tapping into wholeness of Being; which is always present, despite the ups and downs of life. This can lead to a stronger sense of feeling secure and safe with ourselves, while also feeling more connected to ourselves and others.  No previous meditation experience needed.

Thursdays 12:00-1:00 pm – Online 
*** 5-week group, offered twice during the semester***

A co-ed Hatha Yoga group that provides a holistic approach to mood and symptom management.  Using a combination of gentle physical poses, breathing and relaxation techniques, this group allows participants to feel more connected and balanced within the body and mind.  A trauma sensitive, person-centered approach will be utilized and no previous yoga experience is necessary.