Group Counseling
Groups
Each semester the Counseling Center offers a variety of groups to help meet the needs of both undergraduate and graduate students. Groups usually have about 6 to 10 members who meet weekly with one or two therapists to talk about their concerns and problems. Students usually commit to attendance for one semester at a time, and also commit to confidentiality within the group. Some groups are structured to meet for only one semester, and some are structured to run in a more ongoing way. The following sections will list descriptions of groups that are currently being offered, will address questions that are frequently asked about groups, and will list comments from past participants that are being used with the permission of the students who made the comments.
- Past Participant Comments
- Group Descriptions
- Depression and Self-Esteem Support Group
- Drug and Alcohol Support Group
- Graduate Student Support Group
- How to Catch Your Monkeys: Managing Anxiety Through Mindfulness
- Dissertation Support Group
- Coping with Grief Group
- GLBQT Grad Student Group
- Sexual Abuse Recovery Group
- Women, Food, & Self Esteem
- Group FAQ & Common Myths
The following section lists comments from past participants regarding changes experienced through group participation, comments regarding other group members, and comments on the overall group experience.
Regarding personal change experienced in group counseling:
- "I became more comfortable with myself."
- "Group helped me to finish the semester successfully without having to drop out like the previous semesters."
- "I felt empowered to talk to my family."
- "I became more honest with myself and was more willing to share deep, personal problems."
- "I saw a different, more positive view of my sexuality."
- "I learned a lot about myself and my feelings about my family."
- "I got to meet people like myself on a personal level, enabling me to become more comfortable with myself."
- "I really learned a great deal about myself and my problems and how to deal with them."
- "I didn't feel so alone in the Dissertation process. It really helped me to start working again."
- "I felt helpful to other people."
Regarding other group members:
- "I was surprised to find out that most group members had the same key problems and issues that I was facing despite our various circumstances and backgrounds."
- "I got to spend time with good people. More supportive and communicative than I expected... Strong educated women who are supportive, nurturing, and respectful."
- "I found a lot of similarities with other group members after I had already counted them out as being totally different."
- "I didn't think people would be so open and comfortable talking."
Regarding the group experience:
- "It gave me an opportunity to be around people with a wide range of experiences and interests."
- "It has been a useful forum for me to gauge my progress and difficulties compared to others."
- "I saw how I wasn't the only one to feel as I do."
- "I thought it would be awkward but it wasn't."
- "Group gave me the reassurance that others were dealing with a lot of the same issues I do."
- "I appreciate the place to share."
Groups Available for Fall Semester 2007
Below are tentative groups for Fall Term 2007 unless specific times are given. Please watch this website or call for updated group information.
Depression and Self Esteem Support Group
A group designed to help students by offering support and education about how to manage depression.
Group Facilitators: TBA
Dates/Times: TBA
For more information, call 412-648-7930.
Drug and Alcohol Support Group
This group will offer a place to explore concerns with substance abuse, recovery, and self discovery. All students, regardless of where they are in terms of use, abuse, or recovery, are welcome to be a part of this group.
Group Facilitator: Nicole O'Barto, LPC,
Dates/Times: TBA
For more information, call 412-648-7930.
Graduate Student Support Group
A supportive group for graduates students of all disciplines to explore the academic and personal issues that impact graduate students in their every day lives.
Group Facilitators: Iru Brodie-Mends, LCSW and Joellen Popma, PhD
Dates/Times: Mondays, 3:30pm-5pm
For more information, call 412-648-7930.
How to Catch Your Monkeys: Managing Anxiety Through Mindfulness
This group offers a space to learn and practice deep breathing and relaxation techniques, discuss all aspects of anxiety, and work on overall management of anxiety symptoms.
Group Facilitator: TBA
Dates/Times: TBA
For more information, call 412-648-7930.
Dissertation Support Group
Have the dissertation blues? Are you wondering if you will be A.B.D. forever? Need encouragement to keep writing?
Group Facilitator: Joellen Popma, PhD
Dates/Times: On-going enrollment, Mondays, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
For more information or an initial interview, call 412-648-7930.
Coping with Grief
A group for students who have experienced the death of a family member or loved one. This group is geared towards offering support, providing a place to discuss how others are dealing with loss, and to receive guidance on ideas for coping with loss.
Group Facilitator: TBA
Dates/Times: TBA
For more information, call 412-648-7930.
GLBTQ Graduate Student Support
This group provides a safe place for graduate students to come and talk about being GLBTQ at UPitt. In this confidential setting, students can explore issues such as relationships, self-acceptance, dealing with homophobia, and more.
Group Facilitator: TBA
Dates/Times: TBA
For more information, call 412-648-7930.
Sexual Abuse Recovery Group
The office of Sexual Assault Services will be providing a counseling group for students who have experienced any type of sexual assault or abuse.
In this group, women are able to safely explore their feelings and behaviors and help themselves and one another in their search for self-understanding, more fulfilling interpersonal relationships, and more positive, enhanced lives.
Group Facilitators: TBA
Time: TBA
For more information, call 412-648-7930.
Women, Food, & Self-Esteem
A group for women with concerns about food and body image, the impact of disordered eating upon relationships and other areas of their lives, and exploration of self-esteem.
Group Facilitators: TBA
Dates/Times: TBA
For more information, call 412-648-7930.
Questions and Answers About the Group Process
Will what I say be kept confidential?
All group leaders are committed to establishing a non-judgmental and confidential atmosphere in which students can feel safe to share their concerns and experiment with new behaviors.
Who runs these groups?
Groups are run by either one or two co-leaders, who are trained members of the Counseling Center staff.
What if I don't like the group I've joined?
No one will insist that you remain in a group with which you are uncomfortable. However, in order to be successful, groups depend on the attendance, commitment and participation of the students involved. We suggest that you attend the group at least three times before deciding to leave.
How do I know if being in a group is for me?
Groups are helpful for students who express a willingness to share, to respect others, and to be open to different and new viewpoints. People who feel ready to share, to learn new ideas, and to help support others often express feeling very helped by this experience. Other determinants of whether a group may be helpful are situations where individuals may feel "stuck", alone, or confused about ways to approach their concerns, and feel that they are ready to hear, discuss, and try new ideas.
How can I find out more about groups?
If you feel that you could be helped by participating in a group, please call the Counseling Center at 412-648-7930 to arrange a meeting with a group leader. At that one-on-one meeting, you can ask questions and reach a decision about whether that group seems like it could be helpful for you.