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.
Fall 2025 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 am - 12 pm |
September 22 - October 13 |
Eric |
|
Wednesdays |
4 pm - 5 pm |
October 1 - October 22 |
Abraham |
|
Fridays |
11 am - 12 pm |
October 10 - October 31 |
Abraham & Faith |
|
Tuesdays |
3 pm - 4 pm |
October 28 - November 18 |
Abraham & Dana |
|
Thursdays |
4 pm - 5 pm |
October 30 - November 20 |
Eric |
|
Wednesdays |
10 am - 11 am |
November 5 - December 3 |
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 pm - 5 pm First time orientation at 3:30 pm |
Starting September 15 |
Eric |
|
Tuesdays |
3 pm - 4 pm |
September 23 - October 14 |
Pam |
|
Thursdays |
2 pm - 3 pm |
October 16 - November 6 |
Brian |
|
Thursdays |
11 am - 12 pm |
November 6 - December 4 |
Pam |
|
Fridays |
11 am - 12 pm |
November 7 - December 5 |
Brian & Katie H. |
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 |
10:30 am - 12 pm First time orientation at 10 am |
Starting September 29 |
Brian & Grace |
|
Tuesdays |
3:30 pm - 5 pm First time orientation at 3 pm |
Starting September 30 |
Paige & Sarah |
|
Wednesdays |
2:30 pm - 4 pm First time orientation at 2 pm |
Starting October 8 |
Eric & Cole |
|
Thursdays |
10:30 am - 12 pm First time orientation at 10 am |
Starting October 2 |
Melissa & Jenny |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Thursdays |
1 pm - 2 pm |
October 30 - December 4 |
Paige & Katie J. |
Resist & Restore
This group offers students a space to slow down, process their experiences, and find community in the face of political and social injustice. Through support, connection, and collective healing, members will be invited to cultivate resilience and restoration.
Support Group
|
Day |
Time |
Dates |
Leader(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tuesdays |
3 pm - 4 pm |
October 28 - December 2 |
Mikaela & Hannah |
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 September 22 |
Andrea & B |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tuesdays |
4 pm - 5 pm |
October 28 - November 18 |
Abraham & Kim |
Black Girl Safe Space
The Black Girl Safe Space Group aims to create a safe space where participants can address and explore issues specific to their experiences. This group will encourage authenticity by honoring and leveraging the unique strengths and experiences of Black women. The group offers a platform for sharing experiences and insight to empowerment, grow, and heal through a sense of community and support. This group will be held in Kirkhof Center Room 1140.
Identity Group
|
Day |
Time |
Dates |
Leader(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tuesdays |
11:30 am - 1 pm First time orientation at 11 am |
Starting September 30 |
Latrece & Brittany |
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 |
2 pm - 3 pm |
October 28 - December 2 |
Les |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Thursdays |
3 pm - 4 pm |
October 23 - November 20 |
Mikaela |
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 |
11 am - 12 pm |
October 7 - December 2 |
Eric, Kim, Bonnie, 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tuesdays |
3:30 pm - 5 pm |
Starting October 7 |
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: Drop-In Meetings
|
Day |
Time |
Dates |
Leader(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tuesdays |
7 pm - 8:30 pm |
Starting September 23 |
Bonnie |