Welcome to University Health & Counseling Services Groups page. We offer a variety of groups each term in an effort to support your varying needs. We are happy to help you find the best fit for you.
All groups provide a nonjudgmental and confidential space in which to learn as well as to receive and offer support. You’ll explore different perspectives and new ways of coping. Groups are a brave space for personal connection and personal growth.
Groups are currently conducted via Microsoft Teams, which is the most secure platform at this time as recommended by the university. This is based on the University’s management of social distancing guidelines due to COVID-19.
Below you’ll find all of our group offerings for the current semester. After submitting your interest form for whichever group/s you’re hoping to join, you will receive a call or email from the group facilitator with directives for next steps. You can indicate in your interest form if you’d like to have a conversation with the group facilitator to review the fundamentals of group and discuss any questions you may have.
Information
- Groups are for CURRENT Northeastern students only.
- All groups are run at Eastern Standard Time.
Fall 2020 Groups
Yoga for Mental Wellness
Mondays 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm, via livestream
Join Shelby Dwyer, UHCS Licensed Mental Health Counselor and certified yoga teacher, as she offers a virtual weekly live 60-minute yoga group in partnership with the Center for Spirituality Dialogue and Service (CSDS). In these live sessions, you’ll learn how to manage symptoms of stress and maintain mental wellness through different forms of meditation and the incorporation of gentle yoga postures, all of which can become staples in a simple self-care practice. Each week you’ll gather tangible and easily accessible techniques to reduce stress, improve sleep, alleviate intrusive symptoms, and learn to connect with sensations within your body. Specific postures will offer ways of alleviating the physical symptoms that come along with stress, poor sleep, depression, etc. Mindfulness through awareness of breath, a mantra, meditation, or physical movement will also offer another way to manage symptoms of anxiety or depression.
No previous yoga experience required. Attend as many sessions as you’d like at your leisure.
Click here to stream live every Monday from 4:00 – 5:00 pm (excluding Monday holidays), and access archived live recordings here.
Sessions will also be streamed live in The Sacred Space and up to 10 students can attend to practice in-person. CSDS is requesting that students to supply their own yoga mat and props to practice within the space.
Depression and Anxiety Support Group for Graduate Students
Tuesdays 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm, September 22nd – December 1st
This group is solely for graduate students. Whether you’ve been formally diagnosed or have experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety, this group can be a useful tool in healing and promoting your well-being. You’ll connect with peers who experience similar symptoms, learn strategies to support your mental health, and share in supporting one another in a confidential and non-judgmental space.
This group fills on a first come, first served basis by the order of interest forms received. Once you submit the group interest form, you can expect a call from the group facilitator to further discuss your needs and to answer any questions. Based on the high volume of interest forms received, it may take several days before you receive a call. We look forward to talking with you.
To learn more about the group or express interest click here.
Art Therapy for Depression and Anxiety Group
Wednesdays 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm, September 30th – October 28th
This group will weave therapeutic art interventions with clinically proven therapy approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness. You will use art to help you develop insight into emotions to better understand and regulate your feelings, all in the company of others who are experiencing similar symptoms. Group will be a confidential, non-judgmental, and brave space where the focus will be on your own internal process. You will not be required to share your art within the group; however, students may be invited to describe and discuss their art process if they would like. Each week we’ll explore a different topic with an emphasis on learning coping skills. You do not need a background in art or a formal diagnosis of anxiety or depression to join this group.
This group is a 6-week, each session is 75 minutes. It has a maximum of 8 participants and fills on a first come, first served basis by the order of interest forms received. Once you submit your interest form, you can expect a call from the group facilitator to further discuss your needs and to answer any questions.
Suggested materials:
- At least one of the following: crayons, colored markers, colored pencils
- At least one of the following: oil pastels, watercolors, acrylic paint (if you are using acrylic please be careful of your space/clothing as it will stain easily), other: If you want to use something that doesn’t meet the above description, feel free to consult with me as there are a lot of cool hybrid art medium now.
- Multimedia paper pad, 11×14 recommended, but we can discuss if you already have another size you would prefer to use. Almost any multimedia paper would be fine. It would be helpful to have a paper that is a little larger than normal.
- Black ink pen– any type is fine, should not smudge and can move easily on paper
- Graphite Pencil
- Eraser
- Scissors
- Elmer’s glue stick or rubber cement
- Paper: 8.5×11 sketch pad
To learn more about the group or express interest click here.
Depression and Anxiety Support Groups
Tuesdays 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm, September 22nd – December 1st
Thursdays 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, September 24th – December 3rd
Thursdays 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm, September 24th – December 3rd
Whether you’ve been formally diagnosed or have experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety, this group can be a useful tool in healing and promoting your wellbeing. You’ll connect with peers who experience similar symptoms, learn strategies to support your mental health, and share in supporting one another in a confidential and non-judgmental space.
This group fills on a first come, first served basis by the order of interest forms received. Once you submit the group interest form, you can expect a call from the group facilitator to further discuss your needs and to answer any questions. Based on the high volume of interest forms received, it may take several days before you receive a call.
To learn more about the group or express interest click here.
Processing Racial Trauma Group
Thursdays, 1:30 pm- 2:30 pm
Join us in a virtual safe and validating space to process the impact that racial injustice and systemic racism have had on you and those around you. Facilitated by Toni Monfort, LMHC.
To learn more about the group or express interest click here.
Managing Stress Around COVID-19
Through Find@Northeastern & iHope: Thursdays, 5:30 pm
If you’re feeling distressed during this uncertain time, please know you’re not alone. Join other Northeastern students for free and confidential online support groups for help with managing stress related to COVID-19.
To learn more about the group or express interest click here.
Quarantined Student Support Group
Thursdays 1:00 pm -2:00 pm, ongoing starting September 17th
This is a support group especially for any students who are quarantined and who may be experiencing feelings of isolation or loneliness. In this group, students can find nonjudgmental support and comfort with others in similar circumstances. The group will be facilitated by both UHCS Mental Health & Medical Clinicians to offer participants holistic and comprehensive support and guidance. The group meets weekly and students are invited to attend as often as they wish.
Please call the UHCS if you are interested in attending this group.
HEAL
Tuesdays 4:00 pm-5:30 pm, beginning in October 13th – December 8th
A psychoeducational support group for survivors of sexual violence.
To learn more about the group or express interest click here.
Resident Assistant (RA) Support Group
Tuesdays 2:00 pm -3:00 pm, October 6th – December 1st
Resident Assistants, we are here to support you in your amazing work supporting your residents and yourselves! This group will offer RAs the chance to be in community and to have space to support one another with challenges that only fellow RAs can relate. Group occurs weekly, and students are invited to attend as often as they wish.
To learn more about the group or express interest click here.