Group therapy is helpful for many students in meeting their goals and supporting their growth. RIH offers a variety of therapy groups depending on the semester, availability of group leaders, and student interest (e.g., undergraduate and graduate process groups, support groups, and skill-development groups).
Groups typically involve 1-2 counselors with 8 to 10 students, and they usually meet weekly for 60-90 minutes and students may participate in group therapy across an academic year. You control what and how much you share with the group, and we encourage you to share when you are ready. Group counseling provides unique opportunities to:
- relate with others in a way that can increase self-awareness
- experiment with different ways of interacting
- connect with peers who have similar experiences
- improve interpersonal relationships
A commitment to maintaining confidentiality is required for participation in group counseling.
Students might feel nervous or uncomfortable with the idea of joining a group. This is normal. Pursuing or confronting the things that cause us to feel uneasy can sometimes be the most beneficial way to facilitate change. RIH staff recognizes this; thus, efforts are made to ensure group environments are supportive and safe.
The first step to joining any group is to complete an Initial Consultation appointment. Please visit our appointments page for information about how to schedule an appointment.
For general group questions, please use your student health portal to send a secure message to our Group Coordinator, Lauren Mirzakhalili, LCSW-C.
Reflecting Retrievers: Undergraduate Student Process Group
This group provides a safe, confidential space for students to find a sense of connection, shared understanding, and an opportunity to learn from others’ experiences. Members will also learn how to make new relationships and/or improve existing ones. The goal is for members to gain greater self-knowledge and develop more meaningful connections with friends, family, partners, etc. The group requires a semester-long commitment.
In-person Wednesdays from 1 – 2:30 p.m. beginning September 25
Graduate Student Support Group
Pursuing a graduate degree/Ph.D. can be one of the most challenging phases in an individual’s academic career. The road to earning the diploma can be long and lonely. The Graduate Student support group is composed of graduate/Ph.D. students who want to come together to share the challenges and struggles of their academic experience. The group will focus on discussing ways to balance school & personal life, relationships with advisers and peers, and how to deal with the stress and anxiety of academic pressures while defining and pursuing career goals.
Virtual Thursdays from 3 – 4:15 p.m. beginning September 26
Support Group for International Students
This is a semester-long group intended to serve the mental health needs of international students. It provides a safe space for students to discuss the unique challenges of moving to a different country, such as homesickness, acculturation, and academic and interpersonal issues. The goal is for members to develop meaningful connections with others, find community, and get support regarding their challenges.
In-person Fridays from 10:30 a.m. – noon beginning September 13
Healing from Family Challenges
Healing from Family Challenges is a six-week group that provides psychoeducation and skills that help address the effects of adverse childhood experiences. It helps the members to recognize how these past challenging experiences might be impacting their current functioning and helps individuals identify healthy ways of coping with their experiences. Students transition from surviving past experiences to thriving in the present. The group creates a safe and supportive environment to develop an alternate way of looking at the past and develop a sense of meaning and purpose that help them thrive today.
In-person Wednesdays from 3 – 4:30 p.m. beginning October 16
Skills Training in the Application of Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR)
STAIR group helps persons who struggle with relationship dynamics and emotion regulation. High-stress experiences overwhelm the emotional system, creating both emotional chaos and numbing, undermining our ability to think and act effectively, and disturbing our sense of self and relationships. The skills training and practice introduced in this program are designed to help you leave behind old patterns and develop new interpersonal behaviors and emotion management skills more consistent with your current life goals.
In-person Tuesdays from 1:30 – 3 p.m. beginning September 17
In-person Fridays from 1:30 – 3 p.m. beginning October 4
In-person Fridays from 10 – 11:30 a.m. beginning November 1
