Counseling & Wellness Center

counseling.ufl.edu

logo-uf UF Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC)

Group Counseling

  • Group counseling services are based on availability. To learn about receiving this service, you will participate in a 20-30 consultation meeting.
  • Please call 352-392-1575 (8am-5pm) to arrange a brief consultation.
  • Learn more about brief consultations.

Share your experiences with a small group of your peers and a counselor.

During the online sessions, members listen to each other’s concerns and openly provide feedback, while the facilitator guides the conversation. These interactions help you gain an understanding of yourself and others, explore new ways of relating with others, and learn more about the ways you interact. Groups are as effective and in some cases, more effective than individual therapy. Many clients find group helps them to feel a greater sense of connection to others and normalizes what they are going through.

This is not a drop in appointment. Attendance is limited and a full semester’s commitment is required. Prospective telegroup members will be scheduled to attend a group therapy online screening appointment with the group leader(s) prior to attending.

Online Group Counseling Spring 2021

General Therapy

Release feelings about distressing experiences, develop insights about interpersonal patterns through support and feedback, create connections, and build trust in yourself and others. Open to all students. All USO groups are held online during Spring 2021.

Mondays

Tuesdays

Thursdays

Through creative mediums (e.g., music, poetry, photography, collage, metaphors, writing, guided imagery, etc.), you will have opportunities to develop insights about yourself and others, explore your cultural identities, and process feelings about challenging experiences. No previous art experience needed. All creative supplies will be free online resources we will share.

Led by Drs. Emi Lenes & Shu-yi Wang

We all carry our family of origin with us throughout our life, in ways known and unknown, intentional and unintentional. Offered to graduate students, this group serves as a space to explore how relationships with self and others, healthy and unhealthy, are influenced by experiences with their family of origin.

Led by Drs. Saloni Taneja & Sneha Pitre

Release feelings about distressing experiences, develop insights about interpersonal patterns through support and feedback, create connections, and build trust in yourself and others. For graduate students.

Tuesdays

Thursdays

Release feelings about distressing experiences, develop insights about interpersonal patterns through support and feedback, create connections, and build trust in yourself and others. This group is specifically for black graduate students.

Led by Dr. Analesa Clarke and Pearis Bellamy

Why bring nature into a USO group? Nature can provide calming inspiration and clarity. Students who are looking for personal growth to decrease stress and feel more connected are welcome to participate in this process group. In this process group, participants are invited to bring a picture of nature each week that represents a metaphor of their internal emotional landscape. The group time will be spent processing and exploring important themes and feelings that group members are currently experiencing.

Led by Dr. Emi Lenes & Lisa Buning, EdS

Conéctate y desarrolla confianza en grupo. Únete al grupo de terapia en español para conocer y entenderte, a tí y a otras personas, explorando patrones interpersonales a través del apoyo y la retroalimentación en el grupo. Comparte tus sentimientos acerca de las experiencias angustiantes que has tenido. All USO groups are held online during Spring 2021.

Led by Drs. Zully Rivera-Ramos & Peggy Rios

Based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), this group aims to help members become aware of patterns of how they view themselves and others, when they make unhelpful interpretations and engage in behaviors which perpetuate unhelpful thinking. Members will learn to develop alternative and helpful ways of thinking, feeling and behaving that will reduce psychological distress and enhance well-being.
Led by Drs. Geoff Lee & Saloni Taneja
Release feelings about distressing experiences, develop insights about interpersonal patterns through support and feedback, create connections, and build trust in yourself and others. For women.

Led by Drs. Spurty Surapaneni & Sneha Pitre

Mindful Living & Coping Skills

This group provides information about the nature of anxiety and opportunities to explore and challenge thinking patterns that reinforce anxiety. We build coping skills together so that you feel safe as we practice graduated exposure and reduce avoidance behaviors that get in your way. This group will assist you in facing your anxiety symptoms and learning practical ways to reduce the distress you experience.

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

Thursdays

This group is designed for people who feel disconnected from or uncomfortable in their bodies, those who hesitate to take up space in the world or use their personal power.  Practices will focus on grounding, cultivating awareness of inner experience, and connecting with/using life energy.  In this group you will learn to connect with your body from the inside out rather than observe it from the outside in.

Led by Dr. Jen Stuart

This group is ideal for those struggling with depressed mood, low motivation, or low energy, as well as those struggling with chronic anxiety and overwhelm.  In this group you will learn practices that cultivate a sense of openness and vitality while also learning practices to manage chronic stress before it leads to overwhelm.

Led by Dr. Jen Stuart

This group is designed for those who might find it difficult to disconnect from stressors, slow down their thoughts, or bounce back after a stressful situation.  Stress is an inevitable part of life, and yoga can offer not just a break from that stress but also tools for resilience.  In this group you will learn to notice and respond to your body’s cues so that stress does not have to build to overwhelming levels to be noticed.  You will also learn a variety of techniques to balance your nervous system, many of which can be implemented without having to stop and get on your yoga mat.

Led by Dr. Jen Stuart and Nick Gensmer

Peer Support

For exploring voices, visions, plurality, presences, premonitions, and other extreme, “unusual,” poetic, spiritual or otherwise alternative beliefs, perspectives, or experiences. For more information, please visit: counseling.ufl.edu/experiential

Led by Drs. Sunni Lutton & Jim Probert

Develop awareness of personal and relational patterns, view life experiences from many angles, and create new ways of seeing, thinking and doing. To learn more about Intentional Peer Support please visit intentionalpeersupport.org/what-is-ips

Develop plans for maintaining wellness and for addressing signals of increasing distress. Group emphasizes hope, personal responsibility, education, self-advocacy and support. To learn more about WRAP please visit mentalhealthrecovery.com/wrap-is

Led by Drs. Sunni Lutton & Jill Vella

Sexual Orientation & Gender

Explore issues related to sexual orientation and gain support in integrating your identity with other areas of your life.

Led by Dr. Carlos Hernandez & Michael Murgo

Explore the challenges and joys of integrating one’s gender identity and expression. Process your unique journey through self-awareness and exploration leading towards a greater sense of self-acceptance.

Led by Dr. Carlos Hernandez & Taylor Morris

Specific Populations Groups

Black womxn need a healing space to express, explore and embrace their true selves. Group members will discuss current issues, address old wounds and celebrate their magic.

During the unique experience of graduate school, receive support to survive and flourish, and have a place to discuss your stresses and joys.

Led by Drs. Shinlay Rivera & Spurty Surapaneni

Discuss cultural, career, educational, relational and financial concerns unique to international students and identify available resources to help you.

Led by Dr. Shu-Yi Wang & Bo Hyun Lee

Themed Groups

Share grief experiences while receiving support from others who have lost a loved one. Develop personal approaches to the grieving process.

Led by Drs. Shinlay Rivera & Sunie Kim

This is a skills and support based group that focuses on
a) learning about ADHD/ADD
b) identifying ways in which ADHD/ADD affects daily functioning and many aspects of life
c) Gaining skills and tools to cope with symptoms and enhance the quality of life.
The group is open to both graduate and undergraduate students.
Note: Students must have a diagnosis of ADHD or ADD (by a psychiatrist or comprehensive evaluations) to be considered for this group.

Led by Drs. Sneha Pitre and Saloni Taneja

For women with eating disorders who would like to examine their relationship with food and their bodies, and who are in or have been in individual therapy.

Women survivors continue their healing journey through connection with other survivors and in learning practices for self-care and empowerment.

Led by Drs. Julie Abrams-Bernier & Shinlay Rivera

Discuss your use of alcohol and other drugs in a non-judgmental setting. Develop an understanding of drugs of abuse and potential effects, and identify warning signs.

Led by Jessica McGrath

We asked clients: “What do you want other students to know about group?”

  • “My experiences in group have made me more accepting of myself…”
  • “(Group) really helped me to have a healthier college experience.”
  • “It made me feel cared about and motivated me to change my behavior.”
  • “My whole perspective changed and I learned more than I could have ever imagined.”
  • “Group helped me feel connected with others not only in therapy, but in every aspect of my life.”
* If you are looking for something that does not require an appointment or weekly commitment check out our workshops. Our workshops are led by CWC associates who teach you coping skills and wellness habits that support mental health.