Group counseling at CAPS provides students the opportunity to explore and practice skills learned in the therapeutic environment within a group of 4-10 peers and under the supervision of 1-2 CAPS counselors, typically meeting for 60-90 minutes weekly. Group leaders create a brave space for students to connect with each other, gain insight into their own thoughts and behaviors, and provide feedback and support to others.
Group topics range from exploring relationships and enhancing coping skills to navigating grief or managing anxiety. Students may request to participate in a CAPS group through the Group Interest Form and also may be referred to a specific group during one-on-one sessions with a CAPS counselor. Following a group referral or Group Interest Form submission, group facilitators will meet with the student for a screening process to learn more about the group and determine together if the group is an appropriate fit for the student.
Connection Through Circles
Group Forms
Group Descriptions
CAPS offers a variety of group counseling options, including topic-specific groups, support groups and process groups. Learn more about this semester’s offerings in the descriptions below. Most groups fill as the semester progresses, and students may check the Group Interest Form for updated group availability and to submit a request to participate in an open group. CAPS will contact students via the CAPS student portal regarding submitted Group Interest Forms and to outline next steps. While waiting to be contacted, students should complete the required paperwork in the portal and enable text messaging alerts for future communications.
Spring 2023 Group Schedule
We typically start groups at the beginning of each fall, spring and summer semesters. Please select a group to learn more information.
This is a process group focused on providing a safe space for individuals to process emotions often associated with the loss of a loved one, family member, or friend. The group also focuses on encouraging self-compassion for individuals struggling with the non-linear nature of the grieving process.
- Mondays, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m., in-person
This semi-structured process group is designed for those who struggle with feeling worthy, accepting themselves, and understanding what it means to care for themselves. Topics that will be explored include self-esteem, self-compassion, shame/vulnerability and authenticity. Members will be asked to participate in structured exercises such as journaling and mindfulness.
- Mondays, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. (for engineering students), via Zoom
This group will help students to process their emotions around family concerns, understand their own family structure from a culturally informed perspective, and learn skills to navigate healthy interactions with families. Some topics that may be explored included self-esteem, family of origin, family dynamics, interpersonal conflict, familial pressure, and lack of support system at home.
- Wednesdays, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m., in-person
This process group will focus on self-awareness and attention to one's interpersonal style but is open to students with a large array of presenting concerns, including relationship difficulties, social anxiety, and school-related stressors. While the specific focus of each session will be determined by group members' needs, some of the issues addressed may include relationships, communication styles, boundaries, self-awareness, academic stressors, as well as other general challenges of graduate school and interpersonal process.
- Mondays, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m., Zoom
- Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m., in-person
This is a group for female-identified students who have or are currently experiencing abuse in an intimate relationship. Abuse takes many forms and could include emotional, physical, verbal, psychological, financial, and/or sexual abuse. This group is focused on understanding healthy and unhealthy aspects of relationships, identifying and managing triggers, and connecting with others in a supportive, safe environment.
- Mondays, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m., in-person
This process group provides an affirming space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning students to explore issues of concern. Topics often discussed include identity development, coming out to family and friends, relationships and dating, gender transitioning, social stigma, religion, and queer life in College Station.
- Tuesdays, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m., in-person
Is anxiety and stress adversely affecting areas of your life such as your academic performance and social interactions? If so, join us for a weekly group designed to help you increase awareness of your personal reactions to stressors, learn anxiety management techniques, practice breathing and relaxation exercises, and gain support from others.
- Mondays, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m., in-person
- Mondays, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m., in-person (mid-semester)
- Wednesdays, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m., in-person
- Thursdays, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m., in-person
- Thursdays, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m., in-person (mid-semester)
- Fridays, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m., in-person
This support group will examine the many factors that contribute to depression and the ways depression may interfere with academic performance, relationships, self-esteem, and overall satisfaction with life. This group will draw material from the Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy approach developed by Teasdale, Williams, and Segal.
Note: If you are having thoughts of suicide, please consult with a CAPS Counselor on an individual basis first and determine if this group is right for you.
- Fridays, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m., in-person
Peer led support group for physically disabled students to share experiences and advice. Topics that will be explored include: resources available on campus, career advancement questions, navigating social security/Medicaid concerns, and mentorship. This group is designed for those with visible and invisible physical disabilities (ex: hearing impairment, vision impairment, heart conditions, arthritis, lack of mobility, fibromyalgia, just to name a few). This group is suitable for those experiencing isolation, lack of disability awareness from peers/faculty/staff, unawareness about campus resources, and lack of guidance in navigating campus life with a physical disability.
- Thursdays, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., in-person
- Starts February 2nd and meets every 2 weeks
- Students can join any time during the semester
We know college can be filled with non-stop stress, especially in the midst of a pandemic. This group is designed to help students learn ways to use their stress as a motivator before it becomes anxiety. Learn tools for moving forward with your goals, learn good self-care habits, and learn from each other. We all have knowledge and experiences to build on and to share with other. Together we can do this.
- Fridays, 10:00 -11:30 a.m., in-person
This group is designed for those struggling with substance use concerns that are negatively affecting their personal and/or academic lives. Topics that will be explored include habitual behaviors, triggers, forgiveness, self-care, future plans and more. This group will provide a safe space to explore and discuss substance use concerns and work toward living a healthier life.
- Wednesdays, 2:00 -3:30 p.m., in-person
A supportive space for graduate students struggling with the process of writing a dissertation. Group topics include issues of competence, procrastination, anxiety, goal-setting, and bureaucratic struggles.
- Wednesdays, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m., via Zoom
- Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m., via Zoom
In this group, through interactions with other group members, you will better understand yourself and your relationship patterns, and develop ways of changing these patterns to improve your relationships. You will have opportunities to observe your own and others’ emotions, behaviors, and reactions as they occur.
- Mondays, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m., in-person
- Tuesdays, 3:00-4:30 p.m., in-person
- Fridays, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. (male-identified students), in-person
This is a processing space for Black and African American students, where they could unpack the impact of systemic oppression, explore their meaningful identities, relearn and reclaim their humanity, and discuss racial/ cultural healing practices.
- Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m., in-person