Group Counseling
Sometimes, students come to the counseling center with problems that may be more effectively addressed in a group counseling setting. These problems might include difficulties in intimate and/or interpersonal relationships, difficulties meeting people, depression, anxiety, eating problems, low self-esteem, and difficulties with grief or loss.
The counseling center offers group counseling as an option for students who seek services at the counseling center. The number of students in each group is small (typically 5-8 students) to allow for the establishment of trust and sense of community within each group. Each group is lead by one or two counselors who help facilitate communication between group members. In order to build an atmosphere of trust, confidentiality is expected to be maintained by all participants.
Groups at the counseling center can be formed around a variety of topics and concerns, based on need and request. Generally, the following groups are available at the counseling center each semester:
Interpersonal Process Group (generally 2 or more each semester)
This group can be especially helpful for people who have concerns about their relationships or relationship patterns. Oftentimes, faulty relationship patterns and interpersonal strategies contribute to other difficulties in life- often times, the difficulties that bring students into the counseling center in the first place. This group will help group members identify their typical relationship patterns and interpersonal style and modify those patterns that keep them from creating and maintaining the kinds of relationships they desire. Participants will give and receive feedback to each other about their interpersonal styles in order to help each other gain awareness about how they impact others in relationships. The basic idea is this – each participant will likely interact with other group members in a way that resembles the way he/she interacts with other significant people in his/her life. This presents the opportunity to experiment with different ways of relating to others in the group, and eventually, make similar changes in relationships outside of the group.
Eating Concerns/Body Image Discussion Group
This group is designed for students whose eating patterns are a source of concern and who would like to share ideas about body image, eating patterns, exercise, and food regulation. Group size will be limited to eight members.
African-American Women's Support Group
This support group will serve several purposes. First, this group will address issues that affect African-American women on a predominately white campus. This dialogue will hopefully alleviate the isolation and loneliness that African-American women feel. Second, this group will assist in the development of understanding of black identity as well as the ambiguities that come with the legacy. This group will also provide members with support in order to help each person develop a positive self image.
Referral to a group can happen in two ways. First, during your initial appointment with a counselor, you and your counselor can decide together whether group might be an appropriate option for you. Second, if you are already seeing a counselor at the counseling center, the two of you can discuss a potential referral to group if this feels appropriate based on your current concerns.
To find out more about group counseling, to set up a meeting with a counselor to discuss group options, or to suggest a group topic you would like the counseling center to offer, please call us as at 937-229-3141.