Connection Through Circles
All groups are meeting via teletherapy. Groups typically have 6-10 members that meet with one or two trained counselor(s), usually once a week for 90 minutes. Group members talk about a variety of issues including exploring relationships and enhancing coping skills. Group leaders create a brave space for students to share information about themselves, gain insight into their own thoughts and behaviors, and provide feedback and support to others. To participate in a group, students need to meet with the co-facilitators for a 30-minute screening to learn more about the group and determine together if the group is an appropriate treatment option.
Group Descriptions
We offer a variety of groups including topic specific groups, support groups and process groups. Learn more about each of the groups in the descriptions below.
Feeling stressed? Love art? Combine creativity with mental wellness strategies to level up your semester through The Art of Coping Group at CAPS! Over the course of 6-weeks, you will get to use art projects as an outlet for learning and developing coping skills. You’ll learn how to manage stress, connect with other like-minded students, and discover new ways to take care of yourself.
This group provides a safe and brave space for ethnic and racial minority students (e.g., Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian American, Native American, etc.) to explore and process concerns related to race/culture/ethnicity, relationships, academics, anxiety, depression, trauma, etc. This group also helps members consider the impact of cultural factors on developmental, identity and other diversity related challenges. A screening appointment is required to participate in the group.
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.
Process group for graduating seniors/graduate students focused on the transition from student life to their identity as a pre-professional. Topics will include the imposter syndrome, overcoming self-doubt and self-criticism.
This support group helps international students increase their knowledge of U.S. cultures and practice English-speaking skills. Students can also develop skills to cope with adjustment, stress, loneliness, relationships and other challenges.
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.
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.
This group is for students who are finding it challenging to adjust to new relational norms as impacted by COVID-19. The group will focus on providing a space for students to connect with others who are facing similar struggles in their relationships (romantic, family of origin, peer, etc.), to process feelings associated with the uncertainties in the world right now, and expand their knowledge about healthy communication, connection, boundary setting, and coping tools.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, students are experiencing unique challenges, stressors and disruptions in their lives. The self-care group will assist in identifying tailored opportunities for sustaining self-care practices.
The self-care group focuses on helping students identify ways to: (1) explore practical self-care practices (2) identify barriers to self-care, (3) and establish individualized self-care routines. The group covers psychoeducation, evidence-based techniques, opportunities for open discussion and stress management tools. Each member will leave with an individualized self-care plan based on their specific needs.
Examples of Self-Care Group topics:
- Building skills for emotional wellness and coping with stress
- Sustaining productive routines and healthy sleep habits
- Navigating boundaries in relationships
- Maintaining social connections with social media
A supportive space for graduate students struggling with the process of writing a thesis or dissertation. Group topics include issues of competence, procrastination, anxiety, goal-setting, and bureaucratic struggles.
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.