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 Groups 2012

There are a variety of counseling groups available to all University of Denver students during the Fall 2011 quarter. You must complete an initial consultation to ensure you are placed in an appropriate group, if you are not already receiving counseling services here at the Health & Counseling Center. If you are interested in participating or want more information, please call 303.871.2205.

Couples 411 Group
To Be Determined Based on Member Availability
The purpose of this 5 week group is to help couples learn the following: how to get on a shared vision in the relationship, what you want, need, and can’t stand in a romantic relationship, what you deserve from your romantic partner, what research says are the keys to a successful relationship, how to communicate better with your romantic partner and fight fairly, and when to make up and when to break up! All types of couples are welcome. Please contact Scott Cypers, Ph.D. at scott.cypers@hcc.du.edu to reserve your place in the group.

Nourish the Body and Self
Tuesdays 9:30 to 11:00 AM
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. Please contactAlicia Goffredi, M.A. at alicia.goffredi@hcc.du.edu to schedule screening appointment. 

Mindfulness Meditation Group
Mondays 1:00 to 2:30 PM
Many of us find ourselves troubled by persisting thoughts about our past or worries about the future.  Mindfulness is a skill that helps individuals increase their capacity to pay attention, non-judgmentally, to the present moment.  It has been shown to reduce stress, depression, and anxiety and to increase happiness, awareness, concentration and attention.  In this 5 weeks series, you will learn and practice mindfulness activities, allowing you to become better able to endure pain, solve problems, and participate fully in your life.  Please contact Maia Sidon, MA at maia.sidon@hcc.du.edu to schedule a screening appointment.

Relationship Group (2 Groups Available)
Thursdays 3:30 to 5:00 PM and Fridays 3:00 to 4:30 PM
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. Please contact Scott Cypers, Ph.D at scott.cypers@hcc.du.edu to schedule a screening appointment.

Social Confidence Group
To Be Determined Based on Member Availability
This six-session workshop is ideal for students who are tired of feeling like their anxiety is getting in the way of them being the person they want to be. The group will provide a safe place to learn about the nature of anxiety/confidence and learn new skills to work through these issues. The group will also practice these skills and work with each other in strategizing around common social concerns. Please contact Scott Cypers, Ph.D. at scott.cypers@hcc.du.edu  to schedule a screening appointment.

Solutions and Strategies
Fridays 2:00 to 3:30 PM
This is a group designed for students who are exploring and possibly wanting to make some changes in their use of alcohol or other substances.  The group will meet weekly and provide a safe supportive environment to look at one’s patterns and determine ways to make changes to those patterns or make safer choices around the use of alcohol or drugs. The group will also work together to strategize around concerns and help people to identify ways to maintain their goals around their substance use. This is a confidential counseling group, not an AA group or a 12-step group.  Please contact Elizabeth Sutphin, LCSW. at elizabeth.sutphin@hcc.du.edu  to schedule a screening appointment.

DBT Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance
Mondays 2:30 to 4:00 PM
In this group, you will learn skills from two DBT modules; Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance.  DBT emotion regulation skills will help you understand how your emotions work and will teach you the skills to manage your emotions rather than being controlled by your emotions.  You will also learn skills to reduce your vulnerability to negative emotions and how to build positive emotional experiences.  DBT distress tolerance skills will teach you how to bear pain skillfully.  Instead of focusing on changing distressing events and circumstances, you will learn to accept, find meaning for and tolerate distress, including negative views of yourself and your current situation.  Please contact Sarah WIlson, Ph.D. at sarah.wilson@hcc.du.edu to schedule a screening appointment. 

Workshops

We have a series of 2 hour workshop is designed for students who want more information / help around substance use or addictions. These include the following:

Drug and Alcohol Risk Management workshop (4/4 or 4/27)

This workshop is designed to provide students with information about the continuum of substance use from abstinence to addiction, how an addiction develops, risk factors for developing an addiction, and ways to manage risk around substance use.

 Family Dynamics workshop (To Be Determined Based on Interest)

This workshop is designed to provide students with information about family systems where addiction is an issue. Topics of discussion include childhood roles which can develop in an addicted family, risk factors for developing an addiction, communication styles and methods of intervention with addicted family members.

 Emotional Coping workshop (4/11 or 5/11)

This workshop is designed to provide students with information about how to address substance use when there is high pressure to use. Topics discussed will include how to build assertive communication skills, stress management, anger management, and dealing with peer pressure.

For more information on our workshops, contact Elizabeth Sutphin, LCSW at elizabeth.sutphin@hcc.du.edu