Group Counseling

Group counseling is a powerful tool for growth and change. In group counseling, 5-10 individuals meet face to face to share their struggles and concerns with the facilitation of 1-2 group therapists. Group counseling is an effective treatment modality for many emotional concerns, personal struggles, and relationship issues that students face.

The power in group therapy lies in the unique opportunity to receive multiple perspectives, support, encouragement, and feedback from other individuals in a safe and confidential environment. These interpersonal interactions can provide group members an opportunity to deepen their level of self-awareness and to learn how they relate to others. Additionally, group counseling can be a safe and supportive place to experiment with new ideas and ways of being.

The University Counseling Center offers a wide array of groups to address the needs of GVSU students. Group sessions last from 60-90 minutes and can vary significantly based on format.

Interested in joining group counseling? Contact our office at (616) 331-3266 to get started.


Group Formats Offered at the University Counseling Center

Process Groups

Students will share experiences, give and receive support/feedback, and experiment with new interpersonal behaviors in a safe environment.

Identity Groups

These groups provide students the ability to talk and build resiliency and dialogue around lived experiences.

Skills Groups

These groups provide a space in which students can learn and practice tools for enhancing their well-being and managing specific concerns. These groups are usually more structured and involve more direct instruction from the group leader.

Support Groups

These groups help students whose lives are impacted by similar issues to come together and receive information, support, and guidance from one another.

Theme Groups

Theme-based groups combine education, process, and support based around a particular theme that group members share.

Outreach Groups

Outreach groups are open to students on a drop-in basis, so you are welcome to attend as many as you would like without participating in a triage screening appointment.


Winter 2024 Group Counseling Schedule

How to Worry Well

This experience-based group helps you learn skills to manage your anxiety, depression, and stress. One of the highlights of this group is the emphasis on learning breathing and relaxation skills that are found to be helpful in improving overall mentality as well as physical health. Another highlight of our group is the emphasis on addressing problematic thinking that interferes with personal and academic performances. This group also explores various skills and information that may help you manage your distress.

Skills Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Mondays

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

February 5 - February 26

Eric

Tuesdays

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

February 20 - March 19

Abraham

Wednesdays

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

March 13 - April 3

Abraham

Thursdays

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

March 28 - April 18

Eric

Fridays

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

March 22 - April 12

Abraham & Caleb

Wednesdays

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

April 10 & April 17

Abraham

Stress Management

This group is designed to help students develop coping skills and strategies to manage stress.  Topics may include:  identifying and processing current stressors, relaxation techniques that really work, adaptive coping strategies, and time management skills.  

Skills Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Mondays

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

First time orientation at 3:30 p.m.

Starting January 22

Eric

Fridays

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

February 2 - February 23

Chris

Tuesdays

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

March 19 - April 9

Chris

Thursdays

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

March 28 - April 18

Brian

Fridays

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

April 12 & April 19

Chris

General Therapy

Our general therapy group is not topic-based and open to a variety of students with diverse concerns. This type of group can be a good fit if you are interested in experimenting with new thoughts, behaviors, and social skills. Group members share common concerns as well as individual issues.

Process Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Mondays

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

First time orientation at 1:00 p.m.

Starting February 12

Jordan & Josh

Thursdays

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

First time orientation at 10:00 a.m.

Starting February 15

Jillian & Audrey

Self-Compassion

This group focuses on decreasing self-criticism, creating authenticity in relationships, and improving self-compassion. If you feel like you are never good enough and you spend a lot of time and energy pleasing others at the cost of yourself, this group’s aim is to help you be more self-accepting. You will learn how to utilize mindfulness techniques and critical thinking to build awareness and enhance compassion towards others and yourself.

Skills Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Tuesdays

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

March 12 - April 9

Paige & Angel

Circle of Support

This group is for survivors of sexual trauma who want to come together to feel supported, validated, and empowered.  During the healing process, many people find that they experience shock, confusion, denial, fear, and anger.  In this group you will be able to explore these feelings in a safe, supportive environment.  Topics discussed will include coping skills, emotions, social support, and societal messages about sexual trauma.  Sharing personal experiences is not required and is subject to the comfort level of each group member.

This group requires a screening with the group leader prior to joining. Please contact the University Counseling Center to schedule an appointment.

Support Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Thursdays

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Starting February 22

Pam

LGBTQ+ Mental Wellness

This confidential group provides a safe, gender-affirming space for registered GVSU students who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Factors impacting identity such as stereotypes, family, and religion will be explored, depending on group preference. Additional factors that may be explored include experiences of anxiety, depression, stress, and other mental health concerns. A commitment to attend each weekly meeting for the semester is required.

Identity Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Mondays

4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Located in Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center

Starting January 29

Maaike & Andrea

Managing Your Depression

This group will help you develop strategies to manage your depression. We will provide assessments each week which will explore the unique aspects contributing to each group member’s distress. We will also explore mind-body types, as well as incorporate lifestyle changes to help maintain a healthy balance. 

Skills Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Fridays

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

March 15 - April 5

Abraham & Kim

Student of Color Group

This is a group for any student who identifies as a person of color. It is an unstructured group that aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for students of color to explore feelings, strengthen self-concept, and to help one another navigate experiences on campus. The group will explore ways in which identity as a student of color affects academic, personal, and social experiences.

Identity Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Wednesdays

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

First time orientation at 1:00 p.m.

Starting February 21

Maha & Jaedah

Grief Support

This support group is for those who would like to explore their experiences with the death of a loved one or significant other. This group allows exploration of thoughts, feelings, and reactions to grief in a safe environment. Sharing personal experiences is not required and is subject to the comfort level of each group member. It is strongly encouraged that group members feel open to others’ experiences and the discussions of grief in this group. Group members are strongly encouraged to commit to attending each week.

Support Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Tuesdays

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

March 12 - April 9

Les & Matt

ADHD: Finding Your Focus

In this 5-week group, students will have the opportunity to join others who understand their experience in exploring attention management strategies, assessing their own executive functioning skills, and learning how to navigate attention-related challenges in their classes, interpersonal relationships, and careers. Key components of this group include an emphasis on the strengths those with ADHD bring to communities, self-compassion, and holistic approaches to mental health management.

Skills Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Wednesdays

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

March 13 - April 10

Mikaela

Yoga Therapy for Stress

Yoga Therapy for Stress is a co-facilitated course with a focus on strengthening the mind-body connection. Through a combination of gentle physical postures, breathing, relaxation techniques, and psychoeducation, this class invites participants to feel more connected and balanced within their body and mind. This FREE course is offered with a trauma-sensitive, person-centered approach, and no previous yoga experience is necessary. Register through Mindbody.

Outreach Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Fridays

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Fieldhouse 160

January 19 - February 23

Maha, Recreation & Wellness

Fridays

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Fieldhouse 160

March 1 - April 5

Maha, Recreation & Wellness

Comprehensive Anxiety Management Program

Students will learn about a range of strategies they can integrate to care for themselves holistically while experiencing symptoms of anxiety.

Skills Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Tuesdays

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

February 27 - April 16

Eric, Kim, Bonnie, Karen, Recreation & Wellness

Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA)

This group is for individuals who grew up in an alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional environment and as a result may feel different than others. If you have trouble managing your feelings; have difficulty with relationships or meeting your own needs, this group may be for you. Topics will address learning healthy coping and healing. 

Theme Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Fridays

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Starting February 9

Bonnie

AOD Healthy Habits

This group is a space to drop-in to get your alcohol and other drugs questions answered and explore your use. You are welcome to attend one or as many as you would like.

Outreach Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Tuesdays

7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

Starting January 16

Bonnie

Everyday Emotions

This group introduces specific techniques for mindfully paying attention to emotions, improving interpersonal interactions, guiding one’s own emotional experience, and tolerating distress and unpleasant emotions with healthy coping skills.

Skills Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Wednesdays

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

March 13 - April 10

Melissa

Perfectionism

Would you describe yourself as a perfectionist? Do you find yourself alternating between feeling invigorated and exhausted in an attempt to meet self-imposed, sky-high standards? Do you tend to base your self-worth almost entirely on how well you achieve these standards?  Perfectionism can lead to high achievement in life, but also can leave you feeling overwhelmed with stress, anxiety, and other mental health difficulties. This group is for people who are interested in taking a closer look at how perfectionism has impacted their life (socially, academically, spiritually, physically), and who would like to explore possible new ways of being. 

Skills Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Thursdays

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

February 15 - April 11

Jordan

Unmasking Autism

This is a seven-week group for late-diagnosed autistic individuals, recently self-diagnosed autistic individuals, and those questioning if they may be autistic facilitated by an autistic clinician. This group hopes to allow individuals to explore their own autistic identity, connect with others with shared experiences, and learn neurodiversity affirming coping skills, all from a neurodiversity affirming approach.

Skills Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Mondays

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

February 19 - April 8

Audrey

Building Your Social Confidence

This 6-week group is for students who have difficulty speaking up in groups and/or initiating conversations, who worry about how others are evaluating them, and who find themselves more "in their head" than in the conversation. The group will focus on providing space for students who face similar challenges to meet one another as well as:

  • identify and change thoughts associated with feared situations
  • practice facing social fears in a safe and supportive environment
  • build communication and social skills to help increase comfort and self-confidence in social situations.
Skills Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Wednesdays

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

March 13 - April 17

Josh

Healthy Relationships

This group focuses on learning how to establish and maintain healthy relationships while teaching members how to identify unhealthy relationship patterns. Group members will be introduced to techniques for creating appropriate boundaries and interpersonal communication skills and provides members the skills to make healthy decisions within their relationships.

Skills Group

Day

Time

Dates

Leader(s)

Fridays

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

March 22 - April 19

Jillian



Page last modified January 30, 2024