Group Counseling Offerings and FAQs

Groups provide a safe and supportive environment in which you can experiment with new behaviors, improve communication skills, and receive feedback from other students with similar concerns, experiences, and interests. One of the most valuable aspects of participating in a group is learning that you are not alone. We offer different groups each semester. Each group that is offered is facilitated by one of our licensed clincians. 

What is group counseling?

Group counseling may be used as an alternative to individual counseling or may be used in addition to individual counseling as a supplement to address specific needs. Many groups are designed to target a specific problem, such as social anxiety, depression, grief and loss, or substance abuse. Other groups focus more generally on skill building and self-growth such as social skills, self-esteem, loneliness, anger, etc.

Why would I want to be in a group?

Group counseling can provide benefits that individual counseling may not. Groups can:

• Help develop and improve communication and social skills
  
• Help members learn to express themselves
• Help members receive support
• Help members learn to receive difficult feedback
• Help members gain self-awareness by hearing others
• Help members recognize that they are not alone as others may experience similar issues
• Help members decrease problematic behaviors through accountability
• Will I benefit from group?

Group works! In studies comparing group psychotherapy to individual therapy, group therapy has been shown to be as effective and sometimes even more effective than individual counseling. Group counseling is a powerful and effective way for students to share, give and receive support, learn and heal. Many students can benefit from counseling in a group format.

Is group counseling confidential?

Counselors must adhere to applicable state laws regarding confidentiality. Each group member agrees to the confidentiality of the information shared in group prior to joining

Do I have to share my deepest feelings and secrets?

Not if you don't want to. You control how much you share. You can share as much or as little as you would like. Many people feel more comfortable sharing as group progresses.