Group Counseling
What is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is one of the many forms of assistance offered at The Counseling & Testing Center. Group therapy is a small group setting in which students with similar concerns meet face-to-face with one or two therapists for typically an hour and a half. During group therapy, members talk about what is of concern to them and may provide feedback to each other. Feedback includes expressing your own feelings to others about what they say or do in the group. Interaction between group members is anticipated and provides each person an opportunity to learn about and try out new ways of interacting and relating.
Groups at CTC are facilitated by trained professionals. There are several different groups to choose from that meet each semester. You will usually experience group with the same people throughout the semester. If you are a student at UNCG, you are eligible to participate in a group; however, some groups have a specific focus and thus only certain groups may be relevant for you. You will have the opportunity to meet with a group facilitator to see if group is right for you.
Top 10 Reasons to Join a Therapy Group
- There is power in speaking truth with others
- In a climate of trust, people are free to care about and help each other
- You get insight for yourself and receive satisfaction from helping others
- Group is enjoyable!
- You’ll realize that you are not alone
- You don’t have to pretend to be somebody you are not
- There is support and encouragement from lots of different people at the same time
- Group will challenge your comfort zones and help you to grow as a person
- Through helping others, you often learn more about how to help yourself!
- Laughing and crying with others relieves stress and helps you deal with daily life pressures
About Confidentiality
Confidentiality is imperative to the development of trust and a feeling of safety within group counseling. People who join groups are expected to keep the content of the sessions confidential. What people talk about or disclose in a group must remain among the members of that group. It is not appropriate for a member to disclose events of the group or information about group members to an outside person. Trust also depends on all group members making a commitment to attend and participate in each session.
Fall 2009 Groups
DBT: Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program
- Time: TBA
- Location: The Counseling & Testing Center
- Contact: Debra McCahan, MSW, LCSW; Roy Hamilton, Ph.D.
DBT participants are expected to be involved in ongoing individual therapy as agreed upon by the therapist and student. Students must be referred to group by their individual therapist. Participants will be pre-screened and will be expected to make a commitment to the group.
This educational group will meet weekly to teach four skill modules--Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, and Distress Tolerance. Participants in this structured group will track their use of skills learned by using weekly diary cards to self-monitor. The group will focus on the use of skills as it applies to participants’ experiences.
Eating Disorders and Body Image Group
- Time: TBA
- Location: The Counseling & Testing Center
- Contact: Jennifer M. Whitney, Ph.D.
This group is for women who are interested in changing their body image and eating disordered behavior. The group seeks to form a space in which to be open and honest about body image and eating disordered behavior, provide and receive support, and increase self-confidence and esteem on the journey toward recovery. Group members should have had some individual treatment and be interested in recovery.
To set-up a brief pre-group interview, please discuss a referral with your individual counselor, and/or contact the group facilitator.
LGBT-QQI Relationship Forum
- Time: TBA
- Location: TBA
- Contact: Regina Zanin, LCSW
Please join with other UNCG LGBT-QQI students to engage in a supportive discussion that will explore strategies to enhance current relationships, resolve conflicts and explore the specifics of maintaining viable relationships in an often challenging environment. The group will be limited to 12 members and potentially meet for weekly discussions on a variety of topics of interest to the LGBT-QQI UNCG student community. Contact Regina Zanin, LCSW, at 334-5874 to express interest in this group.
Building Healthy Relationships
- Time: TBA
- Location: The Counseling & Testing Center
- Contact: Alice Franks, Ph.D.
Relationships with family, friends and co-workers are central to our lives but sometimes they present our greatest challenges. This group will focus on helping members make self-changes that enhance relationships; in addition, we will focus on ways to cope with challenging people in our lives. The first five weeks of the group will be a more structured look at how to begin building relationships in ways that will also help with social anxiety. Following this time, we will address group goals through discussions of current relationship situations as well as examination of the relationships we build within in the group. Please discuss your interest in this group with your CTC individual or intake therapist or contact Alice Franks, Ph.D. at 334-5874.
In The Company of My Sisters
- Time: TBA
- Location: The Counseling & Testing Center
- Contact: Dr. Lori Hinsley
In the Company of My Sisters is an informal supportive/discussion group for women of color who have faced similar experiences in the world on and off campus. Issues that may be discussed include: family and romantic relationships, sexism, racism, self awareness, body image, women as leaders, self esteem, academic concerns, and physical/emotional health. The group is also an opportunity to meet, share, and network with one another. Contact group facilitator Dr. Lori Hinsley at 334-5874 if interested.
Feeling Better Fast
- Time: TBA
- Location: The Counseling & Testing Center
- Contact: The Counseling & Testing Center
This educational group, which will have a small-class “feel,” offers help with behaviors, thoughts, and coping skills to overcome sadness, worries, and stress. You will learn and practice skills for relaxation, improved sleep, and stress management. This group will run for 4 weeks. Please contact the CTC at 334-5874 or speak to a therapist here to indicate interest in this group.
Minerva’s Coffee House: BYOC
- Time: 1st Tuesday of the month from 8-9 am
and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 4:30-5:30 pm - Location: EUC
- Contact: The Counseling & Testing Center
This supportive group for Adult Students will be focused on group discussion of the challenges involved in being an adult student at UNCG. In addition to supportive listening, the group will offer suggestions for helpful resources on campus and a chance for networking with fellow students experiencing similar life situations. Please contact the CTC for more information or just come to one of the meetings. BYOC (Bring Your Own Coffee).
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Anna M. Gove Student Health Center, 107 Gray Drive 27412
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
VOICE 336.334.5340
FAX 336.334.5343