Summer 2022 Groups

Counseling Services offers a variety of counseling, support, and educational groups each semester. Participants benefit from the mutual support and learning that occurs from interaction with others who have similar concerns. 

Unless otherwise noted, all groups will require a pre-group screening.  For more information, or to schedule your pre-group consultation, please schedule an appointment here. 

If you have questions, email the group facilitator or  caps@msu.edu.

Programs full for the current semester may be available the following semester.

CAPS is committed to providing clinical and supportive group services that are responsive to the needs of our students. If you are interested in a group that you do not see below, please email the CAPS group coordinator, Dr. Markie Silverman, at  silve162@msu.edu.

CAPS Groups For Summer 2022

Participation in CAPS programs is not restricted based on sex or race. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.

 

  • Drop-In Groups

    Let's Take a Breath- Meditation Corner

    Navigating life’s stressors and worries can be hard. Being a college student can be stressful. When was the last time you took an intentional moment to breathe and feel connected with the present moment? This group aims to help students learn mindfulness skills, understand what meditation is, learn the differences between formal and informal meditative practices, and cultivate a practice of meditation in their everyday life.  The group will consist of learning how to meditate followed by allotted time spent practicing these skills.

    Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
    June 7- June 28

    Status: In-person
    Facilitator: Yvonne Connelly, PhD, LP & Jovany Avendano, MS

  • Workshops
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  • Identity-Based Groups

    African American Women's Group

    We’ll use a non-traditional group approach, which aims to incorporate essential elements of African American culture.
    Our goal is to help undergraduate and graduate students to move toward self-healing through collective sharing around multi-media stimuli. Topics are determined by the group, but could include imposter syndrome, self-esteem, relationship concerns, academic stress, family conflict, being an African American woman at a PWI, life transitions, body image concerns, stereotypes and more.

    Wednesdays, 1–2 p.m.
    June 8–August 17

    Status: Virtual

    Facilitator: Markie Silverman, PhD, LP 

     

     

     

    Empower U

    Empower U is a virtual space for LGBTQIA+ undergraduate and graduate students to support and empower one another, particularly LGBTQIA+ students of color. Some discussion themes include relationships, self and community care, values exploration, intersectionality, self-compassion, family dynamics, navigating cultural expectations and building resilience.
    If you have questions, email Olivia at scottol1@msu.edu.

    Fridays, 1–2:30 p.m.
    May 20–August 19

    Status: Virtual
    Facilitators: Olivia Scott, PhD, LP & Ana Hill, MA

     



    Gender Identity and Attractionality (GIAA) Undergrad & Grad

    This support group for undergrad & grad students addresses life and relational issues related to romantic and sexual attraction, sexual orientation and gender identity, particularly for LGBTQ+ (including questioning).
    Topics are based on student interests and could include exploring identity and identity development, trust and connections, dealing with heterosexism, cissexism, internalized homophobia or transphobia, dating and dating technology, attraction and romance; family dynamics, faith and identity, balancing academics with life, and intersectional identities.

    Tuesdays, 2–3:30 p.m.
    June 7- August 16
    Status: Virtual

    Facilitator: Victor Leon, LMSW & Jovany Avenado, MS
  • Support Groups

     Body Image & Eating Concerns Support Group


    Concerned about your looks and food? Can’t find others to connect with? This is an excellent opportunity to share, hear others, be heard and receive validation and support on your journey to feeling good through cultivating self-compassion.

    Tuesdays, 4–5:30 p.m.
    June 7–August 16

    Status: In-person
    Facilitator: Basak Khamush, PhD, LP & Emma Westra, MA

     

    Graduate Student Support Group
    This is a supportive space where graduate students can gather, share and empower one another through shared experiences. Themes for this group explore key stressors as they relate to graduate studies, purpose, sense of belonging, “creative differences” with your advisor, juggling multiple roles and responsibilities, challenges with completing dissertation or thesis and impacts related to diet, sleep and emotional well-being. Whatever your concerns, we can listen, offer support or help you come up with strategies to make the most of your time in grad school.
    You can still join after the start date.
    Fridays 10-11 a.m.
    June 10- August 19
    Status: Virtual
    Facilitators: Jessica Oyoque-Barron, LMSW & Kris Amos, MA
  • Therapy Groups

    Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group

    Undergraduate and Graduate Students
    Many students experience anxiety or depression. This group aims to help students learn mindfulness skills, connect to their values and strengthen psychological flexibility in their relationships with themselves and others. We offer a mixture of support, experiential learning and action-oriented work.

    Thursdays 1:30–3 p.m.
    June 10–August 19
    Status: In Person

    Facilitator: Jeff Baker, MA, LLP 

     

    CBT Skills for ADHD

    Being a college student in today’s world can be challenging. If you’re also managing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, it can be even more difficult!
    This group was developed using the structure of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address the challenges that college students diagnosed with ADHD experience. As a group, we’ll work to develop skills and address behaviors related to inattention, forgetfulness, trouble sustaining attention, fidgeting, interrupting
    others, difficulties with organization and time management.
    The group is open to undergraduate and graduate students who have been diagnosed with ADHD.

    Tuesdays, 3–4:30 p.m.
    June 8- August 17

    Status: In-person
    Facilitators: Jimmy Bruce, PhD, LP & Abby Baerman, LMSW

    Lifeline: CBT Skills for suicide prevention

    The primary goal of Lifeline is to address suicide. Lifeline focuses on teaching you how to solve problems, manage crises, and think about yourself and your life differently. As you learn these new skills, you will find that you are better able to manage crises in your life. To do this, you, other group members, and the group co-facilitators will talk about stressful situations in life and practice new skills to handle these situations differently. 

    Thursdays, 3-4:30 p.m.
    June 8- August 17

    Status: In-person
    Facilitators: Karen Stanley-Kime, PhD, LP & Jimmy Bruce, PhD, LP

     

    Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Group


    Adults who want to improve their capacity to operate effectively in their environment can benefit from this skills-based, minimally process-oriented group. The group is structured in an educational format for skill acquisition/application from a multicultural and collaborative lens. We’ll teach skills, discuss their application and practice skills between sessions.
    This is a good group for students in need of emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness skills. We’ll start by discussing mindfulness skills for two weeks at the beginning of each module. Those skills are incorporated into others throughout the semester.

    Tuesdays, 3:30–5 p.m.
    May 17–August 16
    Status: Virtual
    Tuesday Facilitator: Lauren Enty LMSW

    Wednesdays, 3:30–5 p.m.
    May 18–August 17
    Status: In-person
    Facilitator: Mike Alnarshi LMSW

    Fridays, 9:30–11 a.m.
    May 20–August 18
    Status: In-person
    Facilitator: Dave Gates, MA, LPC  & Alexandra Ballinger

     


    Mental Health Mondays

    Mental Health Mondays is a support group for both undergraduate and graduate students. Subjects will rotate based on student interest and natural flow, and facilitators will offer corresponding skills and techniques as applicable.
    Topics could include mindfulness, self-acceptance, motivation improvement, anxiety management, organizational skills, etc.

    Mondays, 2–3 p.m.
    June 6–August 15

    Status: Virtual
    Facilitators: Courtney Brown, LMSW & Sarah Fay-Koutz, LMSW

    Mindfulness-Based Anxiety Management

    Mindfulness-Based Anxiety Management is a virtual cognitive-behavioral therapy group for undergraduate and graduate students to reduce their anxiety and other emotional distress. Group members will learn mindfulness techniques and cognitive strategies.
    Members will also gain non-judgmental self-awareness and peer support. No religious background is required.

    Thursdays, 2:30–4 p.m.
    June 9–August 18

    Status: In-person
    Facilitators: Mollie Delzeith, MA, LPC & Jacki Fritts, MA
  • Interpersonal Process Groups

    Brave Space

    This virtual group is intended to help you better understand who you are in relation to others and practice meaningful interpersonal changes in a brave and supportive space.
    If you have questions, email Olivia at scottol1@msu.edu.

    Tuesdays, 1–2:30 p.m.
    June 6–August 15

    Status: In-person
    Facilitator: Olivia Scott, PhD & Dom Roberts, MA

     

     

    Understanding Self & Others

    This therapy group is for undergraduate and graduate students who would like to better understand their communication and interaction styles and receive feedback about their interpersonal style and interactions with others.
    Discussion topics include family dynamics, how early experiences impact current relationships, coping with changing levels of intimacy, initiating conversations and relationship dynamics, with an emphasis on here-and-now exploration.

    Wednesdays 3–4:30 p.m. (In-person) Jan. 19- Apr. 27
    Thursdays 2–3:30 p.m. (Virtual) Jan. 20- Apr. 28

    June 8–August 18 

    Wednesday Facilitators: Joshua Turchan, PhD, LP & Jose Padilla Segarra, MS

    Thursday Facilitators: Markie Silverman, PhD, LP & Ana Hill