Counseling and Consultation

Group Counseling

Current Semester C&C Group Sessions

Purple Flowers. Photo by Tim Trumble

Group counseling involves meeting with approximately 8-10 other students on a weekly basis. Group meetings generally last for about an hour and a half and are often led by two Counseling & Consultation staff members. Groups are an excellent vehicle for students who have concerns with shyness, fear of rejection, assertively expressing themselves, feeling anxious around others, and have difficulty communicating. Relationship issues we deal with in everyday life often appear in a group counseling session. As a result, this is an opportunity for a student to experiment with different ways of expressing her/himself, receive feedback from others on how they perceive her/him, receive support and encouragement, and offer support to the other group members. Groups address a variety of student needs: women's experiences, men's experiences, co-ed groups, GLB support groups, eating disorders, women of color support group, trauma and abuse survivor, and substance abuse among others.

It may feel uncomfortable to think about talking in front of a group of students about personal issues. Some common concerns about participating in a therapy group are:
  • Fear of being laughed at or rejected by group members;
  • Fear that your personal concerns will be revealed to others without your permission;
  • Concern that there will not be enough time in a group meeting (as compared to individual counseling) to adequately address your concerns;
  • Fear of not being understood;
  • Fear of not receiving sufficient emotional support from group members;
  • Concern about feeling inhibited by the presence of others.

For many, these are very real concerns and should not be ignored. Usually, once students get to know other group members as well as what's expected of them, they feel more at ease about participating. We suggest that you talk in-depth about your concerns with your counselor. He/she can help you explore these concerns and make the best decision for you at this time.

To schedule a consultation, please call us.

(480) 965-6146
Mon – Fri, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.