Group Therapy & Workshops
What is the difference between groups and workshops?
Both groups and workshops are powerful treatment modalities. Their power lies in the support and feedback given by other participants as well as by the facilitators. They offer a supportive and affirming space for students to discuss challenges and build connections. Appropriate self-disclosure within groups and workshops may take place at the student’s own comfort level and pace. While joining a group or workshop can feel intimidating, these treatment modalities offer advantages that cannot be found in individual counseling.
- Please note: Urgent Care and Drop-in Consultation are also additional resource options.
- Navigating a loss? Grief can take many forms, and the journey will look and feel different for everyone. You may be wondering where to begin, or how to hold your identities as a student and a bereaved person at the same time. If you or someone you know is mourning a loved one, the UCC is here to help. Email grief@vanderbilt.edu to learn more.
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 identity or lived 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.
GROUPS – SPRING 2025
Please select a group for more information.
When: Wednesdays from 3:00 -5:00 p.m.
Location: UCC
This group is for BIPOC undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in using a variety of expressive arts to engage in self-discovery, personal growth, and intentional community-building.
If interested in this group, please email viviana.a.grice@vanderbilt.edu
Mondays from 5:30pm to 6:45 pm via Zoom
Group does not meet March 10th.
Heartbreak to Healing is a graduate student support space for navigating breakups, divorce, and relationship challenges.
Facilitated by Melissa Porter, PsyD/HSP from VU University Counseling Center. For more information, contact melissa.porter@vanderbilt.edu
Note: This is an open group—members can join during any week and do not have to commit to weekly attendance to participate.
Time: Wednesdays at 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Location: UCC
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, identity concerns, and work/life balance.
Limited spots available. If interested, please contact Alexandria Littlejohn (alexandria.h.littlejohn@vanderbilt.edu)
When: Wednesdays 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Location: Project Safe
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. Group is open to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. This group is a collaboration between the University Counseling Center and the Project Safe Center.
No formal referral is required.
If interested in this group, please email sarah.jordan.welch@vanderbilt.edu.
When: Mondays, 2:00 - 3:30 PM
Location: UCC
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. In this safe space, 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.
Group Screening required as a prerequisite.
To schedule group screening or for more information, email tanisha.pelham@vanderbilt.edu.
When: Thursdays from 2:30 to 4:00pm
Location: UCC
The Women’s Group offers a confidential space for undergrad, graduate and professional students, who identify as women to:
- Give and receive support
- Reflect on the impact of your intersecting identities on your experiences
- Develop interpersonal skills, such as setting boundaries, expressing emotions, and being vulnerable, that can help you build deeper and more authentic connections with others
If interested in this group, please email ruth.howard@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).
WORKSHOPS – SPRING 2025
Please select a workshop for more information.
When: 1/29, 2/05, 2/12 2/19 2/26 3/05
4:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: Center for Student Wellbeing
This workshop emphasizes deepening understanding of what ADHD is and isn't, improving work completion, time management, and organization, while also touching on cognitive behavioral and mindfulness interventions. Weekly workshops are for actively engaging in skill-building in these areas in a scaffolded, supportive environment. Refuel weeks are about community-building and putting the skills to work.
A verified diagnosis of ADHD is not required for this workshop; any interested student is welcome! Please call 615.322.2571 and ask for Frances or 615.322.0480 and ask for Samantha or email frances.niarhos@vanderbilt.edu or samantha.york@vanderbilt.edu for more information about this workshop.
Anxiety Toolbox Spring 2025
February 7, 14 & 21, 1 pm - 2 pm
March 17, 24 & 31, 11 am - noon
April-- TBD
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
Attendance to all three sessions is required, as each week builds upon the previous one.