Groups and Workshops

Groups

General Therapy Group

Many issues that students face involve interacting with other people, or struggling to do so. Shyness, conflict, dependency, aggressiveness, loneliness, and lack of assertiveness can all make interpersonal relationships challenging. For these issues, group therapy is not only effective, but is often the best treatment option. Group therapy gives the participant the ability to practice engaging with others in a safe, controlled environment. Small in size (4-8 members), groups provide the opportunity to experiment with new behaviors, and to get direct and honest feedback from one's peers about both personal and interpersonal issues. Groups are also a very good place to learn to trust others, and to allow the person inside you to be seen and valued. Groups are often the only place that members can talk with peers about "real" issues, the one's that most people try to avoid discussing but are the most important. If you are interested in participating in a group, either to work on an issue or to learn more about how you interact with and are seen by others, please let your counselor know. If your counselor suggests a group, please discuss any questions or concerns you might have.

Structured Group Counseling

Structured groups, sometimes called theme groups, are similar to general therapy groups, but usually focus on one particular issue or dimension with which a student may be dealing. Examples of the issues on which such groups may focus include procrastination, grief, anger management, eating disorders, sex/intimacy, anxiety, and depression. Other structured groups may center around the issues one faces being a particular gender (e.g., women's group), race (e.g., Latino students support group), sexual orientation (e.g., gay men's support group), or other status (e.g., veterans support group). Structured groups are best for dealing with a particular concern in depth, where general therapy groups are best for developing interpersonal skills and understanding. Both types of groups are usually small (4-8 members) and safe, and members develop a sense of cohesion, trust, and caring of the other group participants. If you are interested in a structured group experience, you can check out the groups being offered this semester by the Center. Contact the Center for Counseling & Well-being at 301-738-6273 for more information about the structured group program.