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Group counseling provides a highly effective means of addressing personal concerns, either as a supplement to individual counseling work or in lieu of individual counseling. Group counseling can be particularly beneficial for people who are concerned about how they relate to other people, or who feel isolated depressed or anxious. Counseling Services at the HCC offers a variety of group counseling options each quarter to meet the specific needs and interests of the DU student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is group counseling?
In group counseling, 6 to 10 people meet face to face with one or more trained group therapists and talk about their concerns. Group participants are able to obtain immediate, genuine feedback from the other group members and the therapists, which allows participants to increase you awareness of yourself and identify aspects of your life you want to change. Group counseling sessions are confidential: what is discussed in group may not be disclosed or discussed outside the group.

Why does group counseling work?
When people participate in a group and interact freely with other group members, they typically recreate difficulties in their lives that brought them to group in the first place. With the direction of the group therapists, the group is able to offer support, offer alternatives, or gently confront the person. During group counseling, participants are able to see that they are not alone in the problems they experience and it is encouraging to hear that others have similar difficulties. The group process often helps the participants resolve their difficulties, learn alternative ways of responding, and develop new ways
of relating to others.

Spring 2009 Groups & Workshops

There are a variety of counseling groups available to all University of Denver students each quarter. You must complete an initial consultation to ensure you are placed in an appropriate group. If you are interested in participating or want more information, please call the HCC at 303.871.2205.

The Healing Journey: Navigating Alternate Realities
This process-oriented support group is open to undergraduate and graduate students who are survivors of sexual abuse, sexual assault, or sexual trauma experienced in childhood or as adults. The goal of this group is to provide a healing, empowering, and safe space for survivors to discuss and receive support around a range of issues including relationships, intimacy, sexuality, safety, mind-body awareness, balance, sense of control, communication, and trust. Attention will also be given to providing some self-regulation and mind-body awareness skills as appropriate.
Day: Mondays
Time: 2:00-3:30pm
Start date: March 23, 2009
Facilitators: Sarah Wilson, Ph.D. & Michael E. Maley, Ph.D.

Your relationship to drugs and alcohol: Love it or hate it, or both?
Have drugs or alcohol affected your school or work performance? Has your use caused conflict with friends, family, or roommates? Has drug or alcohol use resulted in problems with the law? If so, you are not alone. Explore your struggles and uncertainty around substances and seek support in a process-orientated substance abuse group at the DU Health and Counseling Center. This group is offered for people who have recognized concerns related to their substance use and wish to examine their motivation toward change in a group setting. This group offers open enrollment and is currently accepting new participants. We will meet for 4-6 consecutive weeks.
Day: Wednesday
Time: 10:30-12:00
Start date: TBD
Facilitators: Tim Doty, M.A. and Tess Siler M.A.
Note: Day and time may change as determined by available participants.

Nourish the Body and Self I
Concerned about your body image and your relationship with food? You are not alone. Explore your concerns and struggles while offering insight and support in a process-oriented therapy group at the DU Health and counseling Center. This group offers open enrollment and currently is accepting new participants.
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 3:30-5:00pm
Start date: March 24, 2009
Facilitators: Michael Maley, Ph.D. & Lisa Fuchs, M.S.

Nourish the Body and Self II
Concerned about your body image and your relationship with food? You are not alone. Explore your concerns and struggles while offering insight and support in a process-oriented therapy group at the DU Health and counseling Center. This group offers open enrollment and currently is accepting new participants.
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 3:30-5:00pm
Start date: March 25, 2009
Facilitators: Michael Maley, Ph.D. & Elizabeth Peters, MSW

Relationship Group
This group is for people who are interested in improving the quality of their relationships with partners, friends and family members. Various issues related to communication, interpersonal skills, acceptance and gender differences will be explored. Come learn how to enhance your current relationships and/or develop healthy relationships in the future. This group offers open enrollment. Please call to find out if space is available.
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 12:15-1:45pm
Start date: March 25, 2009
Facilitators: Jacaranda Palmateer, Psy.D. & Kim Pfaff, M.A.

Queer Women Who Love Women Group
Together we will explore the unique relationships that Queer women share with each other in order to understand and enhance our connections. The group will provide opportunities to enhance your ability to connect with other queer women while celebrating and respecting our multiple identities. We will also offer the opportunity to contemplate and develop your own Queer identity.
Day: Mondays
Time: 8:30-10:00am
Start Date: March 30th
Facilitators: Kirsten Ging, M.A. & Lisa Fuchs, M.A.
Note: If you have questions about this group, please contact Kirsten @ 303-871-4494.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT helps individuals obtain the skills necessary to resolve their problems and attain their personal goals. Specifically, this group focuses on the teaching of skills that promote healthy interpersonal relationships, control over impulses, assertive behavior, regulation of unstable and unpredictable emotions, and tolerance of distressing situations and events. Members are expected to practice applying the skills they have learned, to explore this experience in group, and to support other group members' practice of skills.
Day: Thursdays
Time: 2:00 to 3:30pm
Start Date: March 26, 2009
Facilitator: Sarah Wilson, Ph.D. & David Colarossi, M.A.

De-stress yourself!
Have you ever felt stressed-out, jittery, wound-up, or anxious? Do you experience chronic anxiety? We have all experienced stress and anxiety in our lives, the question is, how do you cope with stress and anxiety? This group will help teach skills to manage stress and anxiety in healthy, proactive ways. We will discuss ways to notice when stress becomes problematic and how to address the issue. We will practice stress-relieving exercises at each meeting. This group offers open enrollment and is currently accepting new participants. We will meet for 4 consecutive weeks.
Day: Thursdays
Time: 9:30-11:00am
Start date: TBD
Facilitators: Cameron Cannon, M.A. & Tim Doty, M.A.
Note: This group may be offered twice during the quarter for 4 weeks each, depending on demand.