Group counseling provides students an opportunity to be part of a small group (6-8 students) who meet regularly over the course of one academic term to share concerns, explore personal issues, and learn new skills under the guidance of one or two group leaders/facilitators. Each term, we offer a variety of therapy groups, including specific groups for depression, anxiety, trauma, LGBTQ+ students, and graduate students. Group therapy participants are asked to commit to attending group therapy sessions regularly for the duration of the group.
Confidentiality
As with all UCC services, group counseling sessions are confidential. Every group participant makes a personal pledge to not share anything discussed during group sessions or any information about other group members to anyone outside of group. Adherence to the rules of confidentiality by all group members is critical to establishing a safe and trusting group therapy atmosphere in which all members feel safe and comfortable sharing their feelings and concerns.
Join a Group
Please see below to learn more about groups that are regularly offered at the UCC. If you are interested in Group Counseling at the UCC, please utilize our Drop-In Services by visiting or calling the UCC at 412-648-7930, Monday-Friday from 9:00am - 4:00pm. Virtual options are available.
- Anxiety Support
-
Stressed out, racing thoughts, socially anxious? These groups provide skills focused on managing the physiological symptoms of anxiety, challenging anxious thoughts, and coping with anxiety.
- Coping With Grief
-
Coping with Grief is a weekly space where students can gather for connection with other students who “get it,” in the aftermath of a loss. The goal is to provide a space where students can feel safe to explore and process the emotions associated with losing someone important in their lives. Support is encouraged to go both ways in this space – both receiving and providing – for the overall benefit of all students who participate.
- Empowering Survivors: Sexual Assault Support Group
-
This sexual assault support group offers a safe space for folks of all genders, undergraduate & graduate students who are survivors of sexual trauma to process its impact on their lives. Focus includes providing support, information on processing trauma, and exploring coping strategies for regaining trust, self-worth, and other challenges together.
- Executive Skills Group
-
Executive Skills Group is a group designed for students with diagnosed ADHD and/or struggling in any of the 11 executive skill domains: task initiation, prioritization, time-management, response inhibition, emotional control, flexibility, goal-directed persistence, sustained attention, organization, working memory and metacognition. This group is psychoeducational and skill building.
- First-Year Support
-
The First-Year Student Support Group is a confidential space for students to share and discuss the unique challenges that come with transitioning into their first year of college.
- Graduate Student Support
-
The Graduate Student Support Group is a space for students to share and discuss the unique challenges that graduate students encounter, both in master's and doctoral level programs.
- Group STAIR
-
Group STAIR is comprised of six 90-minute group sessions to discuss and practice skills related to managing emotions. STAIR can be for students who have experiences trauma, difficulties managing feelings, challenges with relationships, and symptoms like upsetting thoughts or memories, nightmares, and trouble sleeping. It can help by learning how trauma’s impact of thoughts, behaviors, and moods in a group setting where connection and learning from others may enhance skills with other people.
- International Student Support
-
This group will meet weekly to build a safe, inclusive, and welcoming community for international students, equipping members with knowledge and skills to increase resilience along the way. Example topics may include: experiences of community and belonging, managing stress and burnout, cultural identity challenges, academic system differences, language barriers in emotional expression, family pressure and distance, visa and legal compliance stress, and financial pressures and guilt.
- Trauma Psychoeducation
-
The Trauma Psychoeducation Group is a space for students with recurring traumatic experiences to learn, connect, and get support from their peers. This group aims to help students better understand the impact of trauma on the brain, body, and external environment, while also providing practical tools to manage emotions, reengage with or rebuild social supports, and reconnect with their values. This group is both educational and experiential in nature, equipping students with valuable information and tangible practices to improve their daily lives despite their traumatic experiences.
