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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

Winter Groups 2013

Mindfulness Awareness Group

Mondays 1-2:30 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 Dr. Tawny Hiatt at 303-871-4598 or tawny.hiatt@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 a screening appointment.

Relationship Group (2 Groups Available)

Wednesdays 12:30-2pm & Fridays 3-4:30pm

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 Dr. Jacaranda Palmateer at 303-871-4298 or jacaranda.palmateer@hcc.du.edu to schedule a screening appointment.

Social Confidence Group

Wednesdays 3:00-4:30pm, beginning February 6th

This group 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 Dave Shanley, M.A. at 303-871-4183 or david.shanley@hcc.du.edu to schedule a screening appointment.