Group Counseling

Many students elect to participate in group psychotherapy. Group psychotherapy can be especially beneficial for students who feel isolated, depressed, or anxious, or who are concerned about how they relate to other people. Even though some students are nervous at first about joining group counseling, many soon discover that it is the best approach for their particular concerns. A number of counseling groups are offered each quarter. Some groups focus on specific concerns such as stress management, eating disorders, or adult children of alcoholics. Some groups are designed to provide support for students with shared identities.  Groups meet once weekly for approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

All prospective group members except for the support groups are required to attend a pre-group screening session. A pre-group screening and orientation session is a brief meeting with leader(s) before the group begins. Its purpose is:
(1) to provide information about the group and (2) to determine if group counseling is the best way to work on your concerns.

For more information about Counseling Center groups,please contact:
Michelle Bilotta
bbilotta@uci.edu
or
Edith Chung, Ph.D., ABPP
cechung@uci.edu

Join One of Our Support or Psychotherapy Groups

Group Programs Brochure (pdf)

Psychotherapy Groups
Q: What are psychotherapy groups?
A: Members meet to explore personal problems with others who can offer fresh perspectives and objective opinions. Members support and encourage each other in the personal growth process. Psychotherapy groups, in essence, become micro-learning labs wherein members can correct ineffective communication patterns while practicing more productive ways of interacting with others.

Freedom Ring - Monday 2:30-4pm
Contact James Cones, Ph.D.

If hurtful feelings and rigid interpersonal patterns reoccur in your life, this psychotherapy group might be right for you. Practice the freedom from painful patterns and connection with others who may understand your journey.

Graduate Student Therapy - Thursday 2-3:30pm
Contact Chris Fredericks, Ph.D.

Many graduate students have expressed their feelings of isolation and loneliness when they devote their energy to secure their future. This interactive, process-oriented group will address general personal concerns brought by the individual group members along with an emphasis on the special needs and issues for graduate students.

LGBT Graduate Student Group - Friday 2-3:30pm
Contact Christine Browning, Ph.D.

The group will explore life issues such as relationships, academic life, family, career and managing one’s identity in a heterosexist environment.

Managing Depression - Friday 1-2pm
Contact Jonathan Flojo, Ph.D. or Nadia Gill, M.Ed.

This group is meant to provide support for students who are experiencing feelings of sadness and depression. Over the course of a quarter, students will learn tools to develop a mindful awareness of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, to differentiate between sadness and depression, to examine their unhelpful and unproductive thinking patterns, to manage academic and personal stress, and to develop supportive relationships.

Overcoming Writers' Block Group - Thursday 11am - 1pm
Contact Pat Alford-Keating, Ph.D.

This is a practical and supportive group designed to help graduate students overcome psychological barriers to writing. Specific practical strategies will be explored.

Relationship Group - Thursday 4:45pm-6:15pm
Contact Edith Chung, Ph.D. or Sarah Haag, M.A.

This group is for students who want to deepen their self understanding and to search for meaningful interpersonal relationships, find effective ways to connect and communicate with others, and also understand what may be getting in their ways of achieving these goals.

Students from Difficult Families - Monday 2-3:30pm
Contact Edith Chung, Ph.D. or Tiffany Husein, M.A.

In this small, supportive group, members will talk about their own difficult families; how past familial experiences impact current relationships and how they can. .

Undergraduate Women's Group - Wednesday 3-4:30pm
Contact Yuli Liu, Ph.D.

Designed for undergraduate women to share and explore issues related to their personal selves and interpersonal relationships in a supportive environment.  We will discuss topics such as identity, communication, self-esteem, relationships with family, friends, significant others, stress, and assertiveness.

Support Groups
Q: What are Support Groups?
A: Support groups allow students who share a specific characteristic to discuss problems frequently encountered by others in their situation. Members offer the sort of support, empathy, and encouragement that can best be provided by those who have an insiders understanding.

Asian American Women's Group - Monday 2-3:30pm
Contact Uyen Bui, Ph.D. or Nadia Gill, M.Ed.

This group focusing on Asian American Women’s issues including family pressures, dating, sexuality and relationships, assertiveness, intergenerational conflicts, stereotypes, academic/career issues and other relevant topics.

Estamos Unidas - Tuesday 3:30-5pm
Contact Jessica Ortega, Ph.D. or Rocio Rosales, M.A.

A discussion group for Chicana/Latina students that addresses cultural concerns in a university environment, community-building, transitional issues between family and university life, ways to succeed academically and socially, and peer mentoring.

International Coffee Hour - Thursday 12-1:30pm
Contact Debbie Hamada, Ph.D.

Come and meet interesting students from all over the world. Relax and enjoy lively conversations and refreshments. New members are always welcome!!

LGBT Discussion - Monday 4-5pm
Contact Pat Alford-Keating, Ph.D. or Sarah Haag, M.A.

This drop-in discussion group provides a place to talk about issues related to our community. Topics may include coming out, dating and relationships, same-sex marriage, self-acceptance, the intersection of culture and sexual orientation, and more.

"What's Going On?" - Alternating Mondays 5-6:30pm
Contact James Cones, Ph.D.

Structured or Psycho-educational  Groups
Q: What are Structured or Psycho-educational Groups?
A: The format of these psychoeducational groups is well defined. Each session is similar to a mini-workshop. Pertinent information is provided via short lectures. Members participate in exercises designed to help them practice skills and/or gain greater insight into their problems. Structured groups are time-limited; they meet for a set number of sessions.

Health, Peak Performance & Self-Hypnosis - Tuesday 3:34-4:45pm
Contact Jeanne Manese, Ph.D.

This experiential group will teach members how to use self-hypnosis for improving health, reducing anxiety, and fostering optimal performance.

Additional Group Information

CARE: Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence - Monday 3:30-5pm
Contact Mandy Mount, Ph.D.

This group sponsored by CARE provides a safe and secure environment to discuss the ongoing needs of survivors of sexual assault and those who have been involved in emotionally or physically abusive relationships. If you would like more information about this group, please contact Dr. Mandy Mount at 949/824-7273.

American Group Psychology Association

For additional information about group therapy in general as well as the ability to locate group therapists in the U.S. you can visit www.AGPA.org