Group Therapy

In order to receive services, you must be a full-time, daytime student (enrolled for 8.5 or more semester hours). Call 422-3035 or come to 1500 WSC to speak with the receptionist. They will be able to let you know the availability of the group and put you in contact with the group facilitator.

A variety of group therapy experiences are offered at the Counseling and Career Center. These groups can be either structured or unstructured and offer the student opportunities to learn from their peers and group leaders. A variety of issues can be successfully addressed in a group setting. Our groups are described in detail below:

• General Therapy Group
• Family of Origin/Painful Life Events Group
• The Woman's Wellness Body Image Group
• Sexual Abuse Group
• Chronic Pain/Illness Group
• Couples Group
• Sexual Concerns Group

General Therapy Group

General therapy group is intended to provide therapeutic experiences for people with diverse needs. The group format provides an atmosphere where individuals can practice interpersonal skills and gives them a chance to challenge and/or validate internal assumptions.

Family of Origin/Painful Life Events Group

Individuals who have experienced or witnessed some form of single or repeated trauma or victimization while growing up receive support in this group. Problems can develop from experiencing trauma such as relationship difficulties, emotional numbing, perfectionism, self blame and guilt, maladaptive avoidances or withdrawal, nightmares, anxiety, other stress reactions, etc. The source of pain or trauma may be family members, peers, friends, dates, strangers, natural events, accidents, etc.

The Woman's Wellness Body Image Group

This is a semi-structured group that focuses on body image and eating concerns. The group is intended as an adjunct to individual therapy or as support for individuals who have worked through issues with a therapist and would like to maintain their treatment gains. The format includes a psycho-educational component that focuses on topics such as healthy eating, perfectionism, and achievement, social and cultural influences, stress management, relationships, and identity. The group also has a component where participants can process feelings, impressions, and experiences. Because of the more structured educational component the group closes after the second week of each semester.

Sexual Abuse Group

This is a therapy and support group for students with a history of sexual abuse. The purpose of the group is to facilitate working through issues associated with sexual victimization, including but not limited to issues of trust, relationship building, fear of intimacy, lack of assertiveness, victim identity and shame, the pain and anger associated with abuse, coping with post-trauma symptoms, current dealings with perpetrators, and family reactions to dealing with abuse. Group individuals referred to the group have had some prior therapy for their abuse and/or are in concurrent individual therapy as the focus of the group is not to disclose the specifics of the sexual abuse experience.

Chronic Pain/Illness Group

The Chronic Pain/Illness Group is a discussion and process oriented support group designed to help its members more effectively handle the emotional and social problems associated with their chronic pain and illnesses. It is hoped the group interaction will help members gain strength in taking better care of themselves, progressing in school, establishing healthy relationships, finding satisfaction in life in spite of their physical afflictions, and seeing spiritual meaning in the suffering they experience.

Couples Group

This group will offer couples (married, engaged, or otherwise significantly committed) the opportunity to understand and resolve their relationship difficulties. The group format provides unique insight to marital processes generally while providing a response to specific issues.

Sexual Concerns Group

Individuals who are struggling with sexual behavioral excess are encouraged to join this 12-week group. The didactic format of the group places it halfway between a university classroom and a regular therapy group. We utilize some religious principles coupled with empirical psychological interventions coupled with eastern philosophy. It is the intent of this group to help participants begin to bring their behavior into harmony with their value system. This group meets once a week and begins shortly after the beginning of each semester.