Group Therapy & Workshops

In addition to traditional, individual counseling, the Health & Counseling Center hosts regular group therapy sessions for students facing similar circumstances or working toward similar goals, as well as workshops in which our staff counselors provide help with mental health issues to various groups around campus.

Group therapy is a highly effective means of addressing personal concerns — in fact, it has been proven equally effective to individual therapy, and even more effective in certain cases. The HCC offers a variety of group counseling options. Some of our groups are focused on a particular subject or skill, while others are more general in nature.

Group leaders help ensure each participant feels safe while facilitating self-exploration and providing feedback and support. Some take a more active role in guiding the group, while others make group members primarily responsible for self-exploration. No matter your level of involvement, our group leaders encourage cohesion, provide insight on interpersonal issues, and ensure each group is of value to its participants.

 

Group Members and Counselors Can:

  • Help you obtain support
  • Help you receive immediate, genuine feedback allowing an increase in your awareness of yourself and identification of aspects of your life you want to change.
  • Help you see that you are not alone in your problems
  • Help you resolve your difficulties, learn alternative ways of responding, and develop new ways of relating to others

What Does a Typical Group Session Look Like?

  • A group typically consists of 5 to 8 people who meet face to face with 1 or 2 group counselors to discuss their concerns.
  • Group sessions are confidential: what is discussed in group may not be disclosed or discussed outside the group.
  • Many groups last 8-10 weeks while others continue from one quarter to the next.
  • You can participate in as many groups as you would like, there are no limits to group counseling.

Group Session Formats:

  • Understanding Self and Others
    • No specific topic for each group session
    • As a group member, you bring any issues to the group you feel are important
    • The primary focus of therapy in the group is on the interactions among you and other group members
  • Support/Theme groups
    • Mix of structured/unstructured activities
    • Providing and receiving support from others around a specific shared issue/common experience
  • Structured Skills Workshops
    • Focused on a particular topic
    • Sessions may consist of brief lectures by the group leaders, group discussions, and experiential activities

Groups and Workshops for Winter 2023

The HCC has a full range of groups and workshops for the 2023 winter quarter. Some groups are in-person and some are conducted online.

The following will be offered during the 2023 winter quarter:

  • LGBTQIA-focused Trauma Support Group
  • Grief and Loss Group
  • Student of Color Support and Empowerment Group
  • Understanding Self and Others
  • Fear-less: An anxiety management group
  • Stronger Together: A healing group for trauma survivors
  • DBT/Emotional Wellness Group: Emotion Regulation
  • T Time -A Gender Diverse Support Group
  • Managing Graduate School: Both within and outside the classroom
  • ACT Workshop: Getting unstuck from depression and anxiety

Review our Group Brochure for more details.

Feel free to contact Dr. Anand Desai (group counseling coordinator) with any group-related questions.

 

Request a Workshop

The Counseling Services staff at the University of Denver Health & Counseling Center is available to speak on a variety of mental health–related topics at your residence halls, classrooms, student groups, athletic teams, and other campus departments. We have licensed psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, and supervised counselors-in-training with broad knowledge of mental health–related issues relevant to DU community members.

Topics include:

  • Suicide prevention
  • Body image and eating disorders
  • Adjustment issues
  • Issues concerning students of marginalized identities (e.g, LGBTQIA+, international students, students of color)
  • Mood issues
  • Substance use concerns
  • Other mental health concerns.

Outreach can be customized to fit audience requests and needs. Additional topics can be addressed upon request. To request a workshop, HCC participation in your event, or interview an HCC staff member please complete the linked form.

If you require counselor support and/or facilitation in response to a critical incident please contact Dr. Anand Desai.