Group Counseling

Group counseling is a highly effective means of addressing personal concerns. You can participate in both group and individual counseling or group counseling alone. Group counseling is particularly beneficial if you:

Are concerned about how you relate to other people
Feel isolated, depressed or anxious
Experience discomfort in social situations
Lack intimacy in relationships
Have family of origin difficulties
Are dissatisfied with your friendships or romantic relationships
Have poor self-esteem or lack self-confidence

What is group counseling?

Typically, a group consists of 5 to 10 people who meet face to face with one or more group counselors to discuss a common concern.
Group participants obtain immediate, genuine feedback from other group members and counselors, allowing an increase in your awareness of yourself and identification of aspects of your life you want to change.
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 term to the next
You can stay in group for as long as you and the group leaders feel it is beneficial for you

Why does group counseling work?

Group members and counselors can:

Offer support, solutions or alternatives to each other
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?

Groups vary in session format.
Structured or semi-structured

Similar to workshops and focused on a particular topic
Sessions may consist of brief lectures by the group leaders, group discussions, and experiential activities

Process or personal exploration groups

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
Members give each other feedback on their interpersonal styles and identify ways in which they feel more connected to one another

Do I have to reveal all my deepest secrets and feelings to the group?

No. You alone decide how much you want to share
Most group members tend to share more about themselves when they feel safe in the group
Members often report getting more out of group when they decide to share more about themselves

What role do the group leaders play?

Group leaders:

Guide and facilitate self-exploration
Give feedback and support
Provide comments on interpersonal issues in the group
Encourage group cohesion

Some leaders take an active role throughout the duration of the group while others tend to give group members more responsibility for self-exploration

In structured groups, group leaders take a more active role than in process groups by providing instruction on specific topics related to the group theme

Fall Groups 2012

Grief Support Group

Day and time to be determined

When we experience grief we can experience a variety of feelings including sadness, anger, anxiety, guilt, and despair. These are all normal parts of grieving and the feelings can ebb and flow over time. Many people find it helpful to talk with others going through the same experience. This co-ed group is designed for students who have lost a close friend or relative and would like a safe place to share their feelings and concerns with others who are grieving. Please contact Tawny Hiatt, Ph.D.at tawny.hiatt@hcc.du.edu to join.

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.

Mindfulness Awareness Group

Mondays 1-2:30 PM

Many of us are troubled by persisting thoughts about our past or worries about the future. Or we may have difficulty accepting the emotions that we feel, and find ourselves either cutting off from feelings or feeling overwhelmed by feelings. 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. The group will focus on practice and sharing the experience of mindfulness practice with each other. Please contact our front desk at 303-871-2205 and ask to speak or leave a message for Tawny Hiatt, Ph.D. to reserve your space in the group.

DBT Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance

Mondays 2:30 to 4:00

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.

Nourish the Body and Self

To Be Determined

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 contact Jacaranda Palmateer, Psy.D. at jacaranda.palmateer@hcc.du.edu to schedule screening appointment.

Relationship Group (2 Groups Available)

Fridays 3:00 – 4:30 & To Be Determined

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

Thursdays 1:30 to 3:00 PM

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 1:30 to 3:00

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.

Stress Management Group

To Be Determined

Is stress ruining your life? Too stressed to have any fun? The purpose of this 5 week workshop is to teach you a new way to respond to your stress that makes stress work for you. The group will teach you innovative stress reduction and coping skills while giving you some time to put the skills into practice. Please contact Michael Ballard, MA at michael.ballard@hcc.du.edu to schedule a screening appointment.

Workshops

These workshops will be occurring throughout the Fall quarter. To find out dates and times, or to register, please contact elizabeth.sutphin@hcc.du.edu.

Alcohol 101

This 2 hour workshop is designed for students who want more information about substance use or addictions. The workshop is psycho-educational in format; however, group members are encouraged to engage in discussion of presented topics. Information covered in the workshop includes discussion of what an addiction is, how to identify where you are on the continuum of use, and discussion of risk management strategies.

Family Dynamics Workshop

This workshop is designed to provide students with information about the challenges of being in a family system where addiction is present. Topics of discussion include childhood roles which can develop in an addicted family, risk factors for developing an addiction, and methods of intervention with addicted family members.

Emotional Coping Workshop

This workshop is designed to provide students with information about how to address high stress situations especially around substance use. Topics discussed will include building assertive communication techniques, stress management, anger management, and dealing with peer pressure.