Groups at UC Irvine Counseling Center
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:
Christine Fredericks, Ph.D.
cfrederi@uci.edu
949-824-6457
or
Michelle Bilotta
bbilotta@uci.edu
949-824-6457
For a brochure on all of our Support or Psychotherapy Groups, click here.
FALL 2009 Schedule
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.
Graduate Women's Therapy Group - Wednesday, 2-3:30pm
Contact Chris Fredericks, Ph.D.
Many female graduate students have expressed feelings of isolation and loneliness when they juggle multiple roles. This interactive, process-oriented group will address general personal concerns along with an emphasis on the special needs and issues of female graduate students.
LGBT Graduate Students Group - TBA
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.
Making Peace With My Body - Monday 3:30-5pm
Contact Jessica Ortega , Ph.D. or Sara Clancy
Are you tired of being preoccupied with food, weight and your body appearance? If you are ready to explore, understand, and develop an active and satisfying relationship with yourself, body and food, this group may be for you. Emphasis will be on enhancing body image and self-concept, assertiveness, confidence in relationships, and developing healthier coping styles.
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.
Dissertation Support Group - TBA
Contact Chris Fredericks, Ph.D.
This is an interactive and supportive group designed to help graduate students overcome psychological barriers to making progress. Specific practical strategies will be explored.
Estamos Unidas - Tuesday 3:30-5pm
Contact Jessica Ortega , Ph.D.
A support 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 - Tuesday 11am-12:30pm
Contact Uyen Bui , Ph.D. or Charisma Bartlett , M.A.
Come and meet interesting students from all over the world. Relax and enjoy lively conversations and refreshments. New members are always welcome!!
"What's Going On?" - Monday 5-6:30pm
Contact James Cones III , Ph.D. or Taisha Caldwell , M.A.
A support group for African American and other students interested in discussing issues that are of importance to the African American community.
Co-Sponsored Support Groups
Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence Group - Monday 3:30-5pm
Contact Mandy Mount , Ph.D. at (949) 824-7273
This group, sponsored by Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE), provides a safe and secure environment to discuss the ongoing needs of survivors of sexual assault and those involved in emotionally or physically abusive relationships.
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.
Anxiety and Stress Management Undergraduate Group - Monday 1:30-3pm
Contact Nikki Saltzburg, M.S.Ed.
The goal of these groups is to help students increase awareness of their personal reactions to stressors, learn anxiety management techniques, practice breathing and relaxation exercises, and gain support from others.
Anxiety and Stress Management Graduate Group - Thursday 1:30-3pm
Contact Francine Martinez, Ph.D.
The goal of these groups is to help students increase awareness of their personal reactions to stressors, learn anxiety management techniques, practice breathing and relaxation exercises, and gain support from others.
Health, Peak Performance & Self-Hypnosis - Wednesday 3-4:30pm
Contact Jeanne Manese, Ph.D. or Sara Clancy
This experiential group will teach members how to use self-hypnosis for improving health, reducing anxiety, and fostering optimal performance.
Additional Group Information
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
