Group Counseling / Psychotherapy
Students seek psychotherapy for many different reasons. Many come because they have problems establishing and maintaining close and gratifying relationships with others. Often, they wish that they understood relationships better and that they could be honest about their positive and negative feelings with someone. In return, they would like honest feedback. Group therapy attempts to create a situation where this type of honest, interpersonal exploration can occur.
Group FAQ
Why does group therapy work?
For many reasons, including:
- When people come into a group and interact freely with other group members, they usually recreate those difficulties that brought them to therapy in the first place. Under the direction of a group therapist, the group is able to give support, offer alternatives, or gently confront the person in such a way that the difficulty is resolved and alternative behaviors are learned.
- The group allows a person to develop new ways of relating to people.
- During group therapy, people begin to see that they are not alone and can be helped. Many times people feel very unique in their problems. It is encouraging to discover that other people have similar difficulties or have already worked through a problem that deeply disturbs another group member.
- Within this climate of trust, people feel free to care about and help each other.
If my counselor suggests that I join a therapy group instead of seeing me individually, is this a sign that he/she does not want to work with me?
No. Group therapy is often the counseling modality of choice for students. Here students have a unique opportunity to explore interpersonal difficulties in a social situation, and can share and be supported by peers who may have similar experiences.
| Group | Day / Time | Counselor(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed Gender Undergrad 1 | Wednesday @ 4:10pm | Birky & Kaduvettoor |
| Mixed Gender Undergrad 2 | Monday @ 4:10pm | Weatherford & Soheilian |
| Mixed Gender Undergrad 3 | Wednesday @ 4:00pm | Gray Evans & Sterba |
| Eating & Body Image | Thursday @ 4:00pm | Sterba & Kreider |
| Sexual Orientation | Thursday @ 4:10pm | Gardner & Franco |
| Women's Graduate | Thursday @ 10:00am | Gray Evans & Ettigi |
| Graduate | Thursday @ 9:00am | Gardner & Klein |
| Substance Use | Monday @ 7:00pm | Klein |
AOD Level I groups
Students that receive an AOD (alcohol or other drug) Level I disciplinary sanction are typically required to attend a group meeting at the UCPS. AOD I groups are scheduled throughout the semester based on the availability of UCPS counselors. If you need to schedule an appointment for an AOD Level I group meeting, please call our office (8-3880) and our administrative assistants will help you schedule for the next available group time.
Individual Counseling / Psychotherapy
Individual counseling and psychotherapy sessions can be as varied as the students who seek counseling. Sessions can range from dealing with stress, to managing relationships, to overcoming an eating disorder. They typically last 50 minutes, and students may be seen for a single session or for a number of sessions.
Individual FAQ
What does it cost to receive counseling at the counseling service?
The service is free to enrolled students.
Can my parents, teachers, administrators, and friends get information about whether I'm in counseling, and what's happening in my sessions?
Not unless you give your counselor written permission for such disclosure, or your counselor believes you are at significant risk to hurt yourself or another person.
Do I have to be "crazy" to seek counseling?
No. Students seek counseling for support on everyday issues, such as stress or roommate difficulties, as well as for significant challenges, such as serious depression. Everybody needs someone to talk to once in a while, and if you believe that meeting with someone who is not involved in your everyday life might help you sort things out, then counseling may be beneficial to you.
How many sessions will it take to solve my problem? How many sessions do I get?
It depends on the nature of the difficulties you are seeking help for, and what it is that you want to accomplish in counseling. Most students are in counseling for a relatively short time. Some are seen for a shorter period of time, some for a longer period. Occasionally if a student requires very long term counseling, he/she is referred to a mental health professional off-campus due to limited UCPS resources. Our psychotherapy groups are long-term, with some members remaining involved for a few years.
Can the staff members at the counseling service prescribe medications for me (for depression, anxiety, etc.)?
No. They can refer you to psychiatrists in the community who could prescribe medication if it is appropriate.
How long do I have to wait to get an appointment?
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, the first available counselor will see you. Otherwise, please make an appointment, and you will most likely be seen within a few days.
Do I have a choice of which counselor I meet with?
If you have a preference for a particular counselor we will attempt to meet your request, whenever possible. If you would like to switch counselors after you have already begun counseling, let the secretary know that you would like to switch, and this can be accommodated. If you feel able to do so, it is also best if you also discuss this with the counselor you began working with.
Individual Counseling with your partner
Counseling is provided to students and their romantic partners with whom they are experiencing relationship difficulties. If you are interested in involving your partner in your counseling experience, please notify your counselor during a regularly scheduled appointment. If you have not seen a counselor at the UCPS, please call our office at 8-3880 to schedule an individual consultation to discuss this option.
Psychological Testing
Occasionally, the psychologists and counselors at the UCPS provide psychological testing for students who are clients at the counseling center. This is for the purpose of helping the counselor better understand the student, and for the student to gain increased self-knowledge.
AOD Level II & III evaluations
Students that receive an AOD (alcohol or other drug) Level II or III disciplinary sanction are typically required to attend 3 individual counseling sessions for a substance use evaluation. The UCPS may be able to fulfill these required sessions. If you would like to schedule an individual consultation with a UCPS counselor, please call 8-3880 and our administrative assistants will let you know if a counselor is available to meet with you. If you have additional questions about the substance use evaluation at the UCPS, please schedule an appointment to talk to one of our counselors in person.