Group Therapy
For many concerns that undergraduate and graduate students face – like overwhelming stress, anxiety, difficult relationships, depression, academic difficulties, and more – group therapy is the best option for support and healing. Facilitated by Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) counselors, our therapy groups encourage peer support, promote emotional wellbeing, and increase a felt sense of connection. Participants often find that they feel less alone in their struggles, and walk away with newfound support and ideas for coping.
SHaW offers numerous therapy groups throughout the year, including the summer months. Groups are led by SHaW counselors, and consist of 6-10 student members.
Group therapy offers unique benefits to students including:
- Allowing students to find more clarity about current challenges with the help of a support system and a knowledgeable counselor.
- Providing the opportunity for students to share and listen to the experiences of other group members.
- Creating a safe space where members can give and receive feedback, support, and validation from others who have had similar experiences.
- Allowing students to have their own journey in the group, which is enriched by the support and experience of others.
To join a group therapy session, please contact SHaW at 860-486-4700, select option 1, then option 2.
Barbershop
This group is for men who have had past traumatic experiences and would like to learn new ways of coping and managing the effects of that trauma. The group recognizes the need for men to develop different skills that will effectively improve how we express our emotions and build relationships in a safe space. What better place to do that than the barbershop? The Barbershop model is derived from the “Men’s Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model”- (M-TREM.) The Barbershop Group uses a Psycho-educational and skills-oriented approach that is person-centered. Over the years The Barbershop has provided men with a safe, non-judgmental setting where they can speak freely and be themselves. Unfortunately, we will not be providing haircuts, but we will offer open discussions where honest responses are encouraged in group settings, and we will engage in several exercises designed to introduce you to and practice new coping skills. I look forward to seeing you all at “The Shop”.
Office Hours
Providers:
Open to:
Date: Mondays
Location: SHaW Arjona 4th Floor
Time: 3 pm – 4 pm
This group session only runs during the academic semester.
Greg Davis, LPC
Male students.
BLOOM: Undergraduate Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
This group is a space created for female Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) – identifying students to cultivate vulnerability, safety, trust, connection, and growth. Bloom provides a place for group members to discuss issues unique to their experience at a predominantly white institution (PWI), including academic stress, relationships, race/ethnicity related stress, familial pressures and navigating cultural expectations. There will be an emphasis on healing, maintaining healthy relationships and setting boundaries. Bloom means to be open, blossom and to maintain flourishing conditions that help us grow. It’s time to Bloom.
Office Hours
Providers:
Open to:
Date: Thursdays
Location: SHaW Arjona 4th Floor
Time: 4 pm – 5:30 pm
This group session only runs during the academic semester.
Natasha Welz, DSW, LCSW
Undergraduate students.
Growth Through Grief
This weekly clinical group supports students grieving the death of a loved one and students coming together to support and empower each other during times of grief.
Office Hours
Providers:
Open to:
Date: Mondays
Location: SHaW Arjona 4th Floor
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
This group session only runs during the academic semester.
Jennifer Fox, PhD
All students.
Families with Addiction
This group is for students who are or have been deeply affected by having parent(s) or sibling(s) struggling with addictions. May also consider situations where the family member’s primary issue is a severe psychiatric disorder, but that substance use is also present.
Office Hours
Providers:
Open to:
Date: Fridays
Location: SHaW Arjona 4th Floor
Time: 1 pm – 2:15 pm
This group session only runs during the academic semester.
Sarah Hallwood, LCSW, LICSW
All students.
Interpersonal Group for Undergraduate Students
Students’ Interpersonal Groups focuses on promoting emotional well-being as you balance academics, relationships, family, and personal responsibilities. Groups offer a supportive and confidential space to share your concerns, practice skills, and get feedback.
Office Hours
Providers:
Open to:
Date: Tuesdays
Location: SHaW Arjona 4th Floor
Time: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
This group session runs year-round, including winter and summer breaks.
Maritza Lugo-Stalker, PsyD
All undergraduate students.
Date: Wednesdays
Location: SHaW Arjona 4th Floor
Time: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
This group session runs year-round, including winter and summer breaks.
All undergraduate students.
Interpersonal Group for Graduate Students
Graduate Students Interpersonal Groups focuses on promoting emotional well-being as you balance academics, relationships, family, and personal responsibilities. Groups offer a supportive confidential space to share your concerns, practice skills and get feedback.
Office Hours
Providers:
Open to:
Date: Tuesdays
Location: SHaW Arjona 4th Floor
Time: 2:30 pm – 4 pm
This group session runs year-round, including winter and summer breaks.
Carlos Gonzalez-Martinez, LCSW
All graduate students.
Date: Wednesdays
Location: SHaW Arjona 4th Floor
Time: 2:30 pm – 4 pm
This group session runs year-round, including winter and summer breaks.
All graduate students.
Huskies on Track: Navigating ADHD at UConn
This group provides a space to discuss the ways ADHD can show up in your life. We’ll focus on understanding how ADHD functions in the brain, navigating common challenges people with ADHD face, and talking about the emotional experience of living in a world designed for neurotypical people. The goal of this group is to help create a sense of community and understanding for students with ADHD at UConn. Example topics that the group will cover include time management, task prioritizing, and emotional regulation. All individuals who feel the group would be beneficial to them are welcome, regardless of whether they have a formal ADHD diagnosis.
Office Hours
Providers:
Open to:
Date: Mondays
Location: SHaW Arjona 4th Floor
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
This group session only runs during the academic semester.
Alyson Faires, Psy.D.
All students.
Neurodivergent Therapy Group
Do you identify as neurodivergent? Or do you think you are neurodiverse? Come and meet others who also identify this way. Build new connections in a supportive space, while learning from one another how to deal with college life and all that comes with it. Celebrate your uniqueness and connect to new friends and bring your neurofabulousness with you!
Office Hours
Providers:
Open to:
Date: Fridays
Location: SHaW Arjona 4th Floor
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
This group session only runs during the academic semester.
Amy Parent, LCSW
All students.
“The Round Table” for Graduate Students
Our Mandarin-speaking Group is a confidential, supportive space for graduate students who seek a compassionate, non-judgmental environment to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in Mandarin. Through open and mindful conversation, we’ll navigate the challenges you may be facing, including academic stress, cultural adjustments, familial pressure, race/ethnicity-related stress, language barriers, and relationship dynamics. This group offers a unique opportunity for self-discovery, emotional healing, and personal growth, as we create a space where you can feel heard, supported, and understood.
Office Hours
Providers:
Open to:
Date: Thursdays
Location: SHaW Arjona 4th Floor
Time: 2:30 pm – 4 pm
This group session only runs during the academic semester.
Michelle Chen, LPC
Graduate students.
“The Round Table” for Undergraduate Students
Our Mandarin-speaking Group is a confidential, supportive space for undergraduate students who seek a compassionate, non-judgmental environment to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in Mandarin. Through open and mindful conversation, we’ll navigate the challenges you may be facing, including academic stress, cultural adjustments, familial pressure, race/ethnicity-related stress, language barriers, and relationship dynamics. This group offers a unique opportunity for self-discovery, emotional healing, and personal growth, as we create a space where you can feel heard, supported, and understood.
Office Hours
Providers:
Open to:
Date: TBD
Location: SHaW Arjona 4th Floor
Time: TBD
This group session only runs during the academic semester.
Michelle Chen, LPC
Undergraduate students.
Wellness Warriors: Shifting Perspectives on Addictive Behaviors”
Wellness Warriors is a confidential, judgement-free therapy group aimed at supporting students who feel like they’ve lost their way in their relationship with alcohol and/or other substances and struggling with other mental health/ addictive challenges. Whether you want to figure out where you stand, cut back, or quit completely, we are here to help. This group is about giving you the info, tools, and support you need to achieve the change you want to make, through education, skills building, and peer support.
Office Hours
Providers:
Open to:
Date: Thursdays
Location: SHaW Arjona 4th Floor
Time: 4 pm – 5:30 pm
This group session only runs during the academic semester.
Cassaundra Popek, LMFT
All students.
Unbreakable: Rising from within: Women’s Trauma Group
Unbreakable: Rising from Within is a therapy group for women who have experienced traumatic events or relationships who are ready to take back their lives. Traumatic experiences or relationships often lead us to develop unhealthy coping strategies such as, social isolation/anxiety, quickly jumping into unhealthy relationships, difficulty with trusting and enforcing our boundaries when we need them most or increased alcohol, cannabis, or other drug use. Unbreakable: Rising from Within provides a supportive and confidential environment for students to begin the healing process by learning about common reactions to trauma and ways to recognize and overcome these potentially debilitating triggers. We will work to remind ourselves of the importance of boundaries, increase self-confidence and learn and practice healthier coping strategies to promote overall health and wellbeing.
Office Hours
Providers:
Open to:
Date: Fridays
Location: SHaW Arjona 4th Floor
Time: 2 pm – 3 pm
This group session only runs during the academic semester.
Cassaundra Popek, LMFT
Female students.
Group FAQ’s
Groups typically meet weekly and run between 60-90 minutes. Numerous groups are offered at various times to best meet student schedules. Groups run throughout the year, including the summer months.
Groups are held at SHaW’s mental health services located in Arjona on the 4th floor.
Groups are open to all UConn students eligible for SHaW services.
Groups are generally led by 2 SHaW counselors and consist of 4-12 student members.
Consistent with our International Accreditation of Counseling Services (IACS), we provide services responsive to our culturally diverse student population, with providers with the appropriate training, and multicultural competence.
Yes, therapy groups at SHaW Mental Health are confidential.
Our offerings include topics such as trauma, anxiety, relationship stress, depression, academic struggles, grief & loss, and more.
For many, concerns that undergraduate and graduate students face – like overwhelming stress, anxiety, difficult relationships, depression, academic difficulties, and more – group therapy is the best option for support and healing. Therapy groups encourage peer support, promote emotional wellbeing, and increase a felt sense of connection. Participants often find that they feel less alone in their struggles and walk away with newfound support and ideas for coping.
Specifically, experiences and benefits may include:
- gain clarity about current challenges with the help of a support system and a knowledgeable counselor,
- providing the opportunity to share and listen to the experiences of others
- being in a safe space where members can give and receive feedback, support, and validation from others who have had similar experiences.
- learning and practicing specific skills and strategies
Drop-in support groups are included in the SHaW fee. There are several options for group therapy fees such as billing your health insurance, working with a trainee for a $15 co-pay. There are several options to make sure that there is not a financial barrier to attending one of our groups. To find out more about this, call us at (860) 486-4700 to discuss your options.