Connection Through Circles
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.
The DBT Critical Care Program is designed to help students work towards daily life goals by targeting issues that cause distress and teaching skills to cope with them effectively. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a well-established treatment model in which members learn specific skills for reducing their suffering and regaining control of their lives. These skills address the following:
- Mindfulness for experiencing and accepting life as it is
- Distress tolerance for surviving pain and crisis without making things worse
- Emotional regulation for reducing reactivity and suffering
- Interpersonal effectiveness for getting needs met, establishing helpful boundaries and managing conflict
Group time will be focused on teaching and practicing skills rather than on open discussion. Members’ concerns will be seen as opportunities for learning and practicing skills.
Members must commit to (1) being in individual therapy for the semester, (2) attending every group session, and (3) completing homework practices each week.
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 may be asked to participate in structured exercises such as journaling and mindfulness.
G.R.A.C.E. is a hybrid group (process and psychoeducational) for female identified survivors of abusive relationships (emotional, physical, psychological, financial and sexual). This group will focus on understanding and managing triggers, connecting with other survivors and working towards identifying healthy and unhealthy relationships in a supportive, safe environment.
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.
This is a process group focused on providing a safe space for individuals to explore emotions often associated with the loss of a loved one. The group also focuses on encouraging self-compassion for individuals struggling with the non-linear nature of the grieving process.
This is a 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 provides a safe and brave space for male students of color (e.g., Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian American, Native American, etc.) to explore and process presenting concerns related to race/culture/ethnicity, relationships, academics, anxiety, depression, trauma, etc.
The self-care group is focused on helping clients identify ways to (1) increase practical self-care practices (2) identify psychological barriers to self-care, (3) and by the end of the group determine which self-care practices are most helpful to individual clients. The group includes evidenced-based mindfulness based practical techniques, review of health boundaries as self-care techniques and mood management/anxiety management techniques.
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.
This group provides a safe and supportive environment for female students from U.S. ethnic groups (e.g., Latina/Hispanic, Asian American, African American, Native American, etc.) and other countries to explore issues of concern. Presenting concerns vary but may include issues related to race/ethnicity/culture, family of origin, relationships, trauma, and academics. This group also helps members consider the impact of race/ethnicity/culture on developmental, identity (e.g., sexual orientation, gender, religion, class, citizenship status, etc.), and transnational (e.g., migration, documentation, acculturation) concerns.