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Support Groups

Support Groups focus on building community and connecting over shared identities or experiences. Students who are seeking validation, a space to process difficult experiences or feelings of isolation, or who want to learn how to cope via different perspectives may benefit from this type of group. These groups require a group screening and consistent attendance is encouraged.

  • Bipolar Support Group

    Connect with other students who have a bipolar diagnosis and are facing similar challenges and questions. The group is a place to talk about difficult topics like stigma, medications and symptoms related to a mood disorder.  

    Open to both undergraduate and graduate students of all genders  

    Thursdays 1:00-2:30pm    

    Status: In Person  

    Facilitator(s): Sarah DeYoung LMSW she/her
    Group runs January through April

    *A Pre-Group Meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. 

  • CBT for ADHD Support, Skills, and Resources

    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 uses the structure of cognitive behavioral therapy 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.  

     

    Wednesdays 1:30-3:00 pm     

    Status: Virtual  

    Facilitator(s):  Jimmy Bruce, PhD., LP & Abby Baerman, LMSW 
     
    Group runs January through April  

    *A Pre-Group Meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. 

  • Body Image & Eating Concerns Support Group

    This is a support group for those struggling with disordered eating and body image concerns. The group is open to those experiencing overeating and restrictive tendencies. This group is for both undergraduate and graduate students. A pre-group screening will be conducted to evaluate if the group will be a good fit for a student or whether 1:1 therapy and/or higher level of care will suit more to the student’s needs. 

     

    Tuesdays, 4–5 p.m. 

    Status: In-person 

    Facilitator(s):  Terry Doan, Psy.D., LLP & Maleyah Zataray, MA 
    Group runs January through April

     

    *A Pre-Group Meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment.   

  • Building Social Confidence
    This group focuses on providing students with coping strategies to reduce anxiety and build social confidence in various social settings. Participants will have the opportunity to practice these skills in a supportive group environment, explore the underlying causes of their anxiety in social settings, and receive peer support. The group will also include psychoeducation to enhance understanding and foster personal growth. 
     
    Tuesdays 10:30am-12:00pm 
    Status: In person 
    Facilitator(s): Chasma Mathis, PsyD, LP & Narae Yu, BA 
     
    Group runs January through April
     
    *A Pre-Group Meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. 
  • Grief Group

    Have you experienced the loss of a loved one? Modern cultures usually do a poor job of preparing us for loss. Grief is messy and not a linear process. Few know how to think about grief or how we might be able to help ourselves and others. 

    Grief support groups are a helpful way to learn about the grieving process and how it affects all areas of our lives. Grief groups can also connect us with others who have experienced a similar loss, making us feel less lonely, and normalizing the experience 

    This CAPS grief group is for students who have lost a parent (or parent figure), or sibling. 

    Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 PM 

    Status: In Person 

    Facilitator(s): Abigail Waller, LMSW & Ruifen Tan 

     

    *A Pre-Group Meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. 

  • In Transition- Graduate Support

    This is a weekly support group for graduate students who are navigating post-course/curriculum who are in a phase of writing, preparing for proposal, defense, and/or preparing for post-graduation employment.   

    Mondays 9:00-10:30 a.m.  

    Status: Virtual  

    Facilitator(s): Jessica Oyoque-Barron, LMSW  

    Group runs January through April

    *A Pre-Group Meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. 

  • International Student Support Group
    Life as an international student can be challenging. Many of us face unique stressors while meeting academic or family expectations. You are not alone if you find yourself experiencing distress, including but not limited to acculturation concerns, language, and cultural barriers, along with navigating through the health care system/insurance, housing, immigration/employment/financial concerns, interpersonal/advisory relationship concerns, and loneliness. We want you to know that you do not have to deal with them alone. We hope to provide a space for you to connect, share, and support each other and normalize help-seeking behavior.      
       
    Mondays 3:30- 5:00 pm   
    Status: Virtual     
    Facilitator: Zen Zhong, M.Phil.Ed, LPC   
      
    Group runs January through April
     
    *Pre-screening is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. 
  • Latino/x/e Wellness & Connections

    Navigating life, relationships, and school can be overwhelming. This group offers a supportive space for Latine graduate and undergraduate students. This group will address experiences as it relates to stress, intersectionality, boundaries, connections, imposterism, navigating a PWI, family dynamics, transitional challenges, and overall balance of mental wellness. Students are encouraged to freely express their emotions and connect with each other as a means of support. This space is about supporting and empowering one another through shared experiences. The group will also engage in art and craft-based activities to help with “brain breaks”-mindfulness.  

     

    Fridays 1:00-2:30 p.m.   
    Status: Virtual 
    Facilitator(s):  Jessica Oyoque-Barron, LMSW
    Group runs January through April 

     

    *A Pre-Group Meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. 

  • Living with Chronic Illness

    Have you been diagnosed with a chronic physical illness, such as (but not limited to) Diabetes, Asthma, Crohn’s, or Fibromyalgia? Have you felt angry, frustrated, or isolated because of your condition? These feelings are all quite common. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. This group is a safe, nonjudgmental space to share about your individual experiences, discuss symptom management, and figure out how to navigate challenges that you may encounter as a college student with a chronic illness  

    Thursday 1:00 pm 

    Status: Virtual 

    Facilitator(s): Caitlin Riley, LMSW & Narae Yu, BA 
    Group runs January through April  

    *A Pre-Group Meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. 

  • Graduate Student Support Group

    This is a supportive space where graduate students can gather and empower one another through shared experiences. Themes in this group include exploring stressors related to graduate studies, purpose, sense of belonging, “creative differences” with your advisor, juggling multiple roles and responsibilities, time management, 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 develop strategies to make the most of your time in graduate school.   

    Fridays 10:00 – 11:00am     
    Status: Virtual  
    Facilitator(s): Nicki Walker, LLMSW 
      
    Start and end date of group: February through April 
      
    *A Pre-Group Meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. 

Groups