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University Counseling Center

Group Therapy and Workshops

Group therapy and workshops are powerful ways to address challenges, offering advantages that individual counseling cannot. The main benefit is the support and feedback given by other participants, creating a space for discussion and building connections. While joining may feel intimidating, self-disclosure happens at your own comfort level and pace.

Group discussion photo

Group Therapy

  • Mostly focused on the development of resilience and self-awareness.
  • Generally closed format (i.e., maximum number of participants); no session limits.
  • Includes other participants who wish to receive support around a shared concern or experience.
  • Requires continuous attendance in order for participants to obtain full benefits.
  • Group facilitators will often screen group members before their joining the group.
  • Requires a referral from an SCC Care Coordinator or UCC provider.
  • Untangle Grounding: Expressive Arts Group
    • Fridays, 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | University Counseling Center
    • Starts September 5 and runs in three-week cycles
    • No formal referral required

    This three-week group helps students explore embodied resilience through expressive arts and somatic grounding techniques. It is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and focused on expanding students’ capacity for emotional regulation, mindful awareness, and creative self-expression. The group runs on a rolling three-week cycle, so students can join on any week and continue until they get all three modules. Students can also repeat sessions for reinforcement.

  • Graduate Process Group
    • Thursdays, 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | University Counseling Center

    The Graduate Process Group is designed to provide a space for graduate students with a broad spectrum of mental health concerns. Group members will offer each other support and feedback in working toward change. Common concerns that may be addressed in this group include navigating graduate programs and demands, interpersonal relationship difficulties, transitioning from graduate school to the work environment, individuation, work/life balance, and other concerns. Limited spots available.

  • Rooted in Resilience
    • Wednesdays 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Project Safe
    • Starts September 3
    • No formal referral is required

    Rooted in Resilience is a support group, designed for students who have been impacted by interpersonal violence. This could mean experiences of sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, emotional abuse, stalking, harassment, and/or childhood abuse.

    This group is intended to provide a supportive environment for survivors. Time is spent listening, sharing experiences, sharing challenges associated with trauma, and gaining tools and knowledge as students work toward healing. This group is a collaboration between the University Counseling Center and the Project Safe Center.

  • Understanding Self & Others
    • Fridays, 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. | University Counseling Center
    • Starts October 24
    • Group Screening required as a prerequisite

    Understanding Self & Others is a weekly interpersonal process group for undergraduate students who want to explore personal growth, increase self-awareness and enhance their experiences in personal and academic settings. Group members will practice communicating more honestly and effectively with others while gaining support from peers and therapists. Group topics may include adjustment, loneliness, academic/general stress, social anxiety, and relationships.

If interested in any of these groups or screenings, please contact ucc@vanderbilt.edu.

Workshops

  • Mostly focused on the development of everyday skills.
  • Workshops tend to be intermittent and take place in series, not requiring continuous attendance.
  • There is no necessary screening (drop-in registrations are welcome).
  • Anxiety Toolbox Workshop

    In this workshop, you will:

    • Understand what anxiety is and how it impacts us
    • Explore how thoughts and behaviors affect anxiety
    • Develop strategies to better cope with anxiety

    Session 1

    • September 8, September 15, September 22, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | Register online Zoom

    Session 2

    Session 3

    • TBD

    Attendance to all three sessions is required, as each week builds upon the previous one.