Group Counseling
Many people come to University of Kentucky Counseling Center: Consultation and Psychological Services (UKCC) assuming they will meet one-on-one for their counseling. Your intake counselor may recommend group counseling instead. This is because group counseling is often the most effective type of counseling, especially if your problems involve relationships with other people. Groups usually involve 6-10 students and are typically led by two members of the UKCC staff.
This video link, developed at Wright State University’s Counseling and Wellness Services and used on our website with their permission, provides some general information about group participation that may be helpful as you consider this therapy option.
Therapy Groups
General Therapy Groups are designed to help you learn about yourself and how you interact with others. Group members often have a variety of initial concerns, but share a desire to feel better about themselves and their relationships with others. It can be a powerful experience to realize others struggle with the same things as you do. General therapy groups meet for 1.5 hours each week for the duration of the semester. During the time that you attend a general therapy group, you will not likely participate in individual counseling. To participate in a therapy group, students must first make an initial appointment at UKCC and be referred by a counselor to a group screening. At this brief screening, group leaders explain the expectations and benefits of the therapy groups and ensure that group is the best fit for the client’s needs. Current clients of the Center do not need to make another appointment but can discuss with their individual counselor the appropriateness of group therapy for them and work with that person to set up a screening. Groups are held in 201 Frazee Hall.
Therapy Group Schedule Summer 2012
Tuesdays 1:00-2:30pm
Wednesdays 3:00-4:30pm
Support and Topical Groups
Support groups usually center around a common experience and are designed to help you get support and encouragement from other students who are dealing with a similar issue. Similarly, topical groups address a common area of concern, often with an educational component. These groups meet weekly or every other week. Students are welcome to participate in support and topical groups with or without involvement in individual counseling. To participate in one of these groups, students must first make an initial appointment at UKCC or already be an existing client of the Center. Clients are then referred directly to the group or to a brief group screening with the group leader(s) who will explain the expectations and benefits of the group.
Graduate Student Support Group
The Graduate Student Support Group is a place where graduate students can seek support around any number of issues that are interfering with or an outgrowth of their graduate study. Common discussions include the stress of graduate school; lack of progress or productivity; procrastination; deciding whether or not to stay in a program; problems with advisors or committees; and financial strain, often due to funding issues. Some concerns, such as family or health issues, arise that are not specific to graduate school but impact performance and progress. Many students seek out the group prior to major milestone events such as qualifying exams, dissertation or thesis defenses, and searching for jobs for post graduation employment. The group is fairly unstructured and the topics can vary from meeting to meeting depending on the needs of the students present. Call the Counseling Center at (859) 257-8701 to sign up for the group. Sessions are held in 201 Frazee Hall.
Graduate Student Support Group Schedule
Friday12-1pm (biweekly)
Grief and Loss Support Group
The loss of a loved one is a common experience yet one not often spoken of. Each person is unique in how they experience a loss, and grief is a normal and natural response. There are healthy coping strategies as well as obstacles to the normal process of grieving. The Grief and Loss Group provides participants the opportunity to express reactions to loss, identify the tasks necessary for recovery, learn positive coping skills, and give and receive support from others. The group is free, confidential and will meet for six weeks during the semester. Please call the Counseling Center (257-8701) for more information or to sign up for the group.
Grief and Loss Support Group Schedule
TBATBATBA
Mindfulness Support Group
This group meets for eight sessions, once a week for an hour and a half. The group includes instruction in mindfulness practices (e.g., sitting meditation and self-observation of thoughts). Discussions explore applications of mindfulness in common problems such as stress, depression, chronic pain, anxiety, and emotional reactivity. In general, there is an emphasis on becoming more aware, developing focus, living in the moment, and being non-judgmental. The ultimate goal is to embrace the present, be more compassionate, and experience a sense of inner peace and calm in your daily life. The group is particularly good for those who often find themselves distracted by multiple activities, are obsessive/ruminative, experience anxiety about the future, or feel stuck in the past. Expectations include developing a daily mindful meditation practice and engaging in weekly assignments to integrate concepts into daily life. A screening is required for this group. Please ask your counselor about signing up for it. The group will be capped at a maximum of ten participants. Sessions held in 201 Frazee Hall.
Mindfulness Support Group Schedule
TBA
Social Confidence Group
This group is a three-part series and is being offered once this semester. The group is educational in nature and goes over specific skills such as reading social cues, overcoming initial anxiety, and getting to know others on a meaningful level. It is particularly geared for those individuals who feel socially awkward, find it difficult to initiate conversation, and have trouble meeting friends or dating partners. Students must first have an initial appointment at the Counseling Center to be referred to the Social Confidence Group. Please call the Counseling Center at (859) 257-8701 for more information or to sign up for an appointment. Sessions held in 201 Frazee Hall.
Social Confidence Group
TBA
Stress Management Group
This is a three or four-session informational and skills-training group designed to help students understand stress and identify ways to reduce the stress in their lives. A variety of relaxation techniques addressing the physical, cognitive, and emotional sources of stress are taught during the workshop with the goal of helping students identify a range of coping skills and stress reduction strategies particularly applicable to them. Students will gain the most benefit by attending all the sessions of the stress management series. Students must first have an initial appointment at the Counseling Center to be referred to the Stress Management Workshop Series. Please call the Counseling Center at (859) 257-8701 for more information or to sign up for an appointment.
Stress Management Group Schedule
TBA
Women of Color Support Group
The Women of Color (WOC) Support Group is a safe and supportive place for minority women to meet, talk, and find hope. If you'd like a place to meet other women of color, the group is a place for you to get and give support. Common discussion topics include loneliness, racism, relationship struggles, sexism, family difficulties, academic issues, sadness, anxiety, health problems, low self-esteem, or other concerns. Group leaders are Dr. Tina Bryant and Dr. Aesha Tyler, two women of color. Group sessions are free and confidential and open to UK students taking at least 6 credits. The group meets in 201 Frazee Hall. Call the Counseling Center at (859) 257-8701 to set up an initial intake appointment; you can then be referred to the group.
Women of Color Support Group Schedule
TBA
Drop-in Workshops
There are a number of structured, educationally focused workshops and groups that are currently being offered by the UK Counseling Center. Some have been regularly offered in the past and some are new. All of these groups and workshops are free for fee-paying University of Kentucky students who are enrolled for at least 6 credit hours. They do not require a referral from a counselor and are available both to students who are not established clients at the Center, and to current Center clients.
Career Decision Workshop
UK's Counseling Center offers Career Decision-Making Workshops to assist students with the college major/career decision making process. The workshop format is 45 minutes of interactive activity that guides students through the steps involved in making important life decisions. No appointment is necessary to attend the workshops.
Career Decision Workshop
Mindfulness Workshop
UK's Counseling Center is offering a mindfulness workshop this semester. No appointment is necessary to attend the classes.
Mindfulness Workshop Schedule
TBA
Men's Health Workshop
UK's Counseling Center is offering a Men's Health workshop this semester. No appointment is necessary to attend the classes.
Men's Health Workshop Schedule
TBA
Relaxation Workshop
UK's Counseling Center is offering Relaxation Workshops for students who are hoping to reduce anxiety and depression, release stress, and relax through meditation and mindfulness techniques. No appointment is necessary to attend the workshops.
Relaxation Workshop
TBA
Test Anxiety Workshop
This workshop is for students who prepare well for class exams but consistently receive low test scores. Low test scores may be due to many factors such as test anxiety or concentration/focus problems. The workshop facilitator will help students define the problem and develop useful solutions. The workshop will take 45 minutes and the content is the same for all sessions. No appointment is necessary to attend the workshops.
Test Anxiety Workshop Flyer
Yoga Class
UK's Counseling Center and Campus Recreation is offering yoga classes for students who are hoping to reduce stress, relieve anxiety, and relax by practicing yoga. No appointment is necessary to attend the classes.
Yoga Class Schedule
TBA
Other Support Options
The Counseling Center may offer additional groups based on student requests and/or interests, depending upon schedule availability. Groups or workshops previously offered alone or in conjunction with other campus offices are described below. We are committed to working to meet student need and will develop additional group offerings as appropriate. In addition to what is listed below, additional offerings might include support groups for student veterans, groups designed to teach emotional coping skills, support groups for sexual abuse survivors, and so on. Call our offices to inquire about or make a request for a specific group offering.
Body Image Support Group
This group is a confidential support group for women on campus. The group provides an opportunity for women to meet weekly in a safe space with others who struggle with issues that have shaped their relationship with food and/or their body. This group will provide members opportunities to disclose one's struggle in a non-judgmental setting and regain hope in learning new skills for managing emotions and stress while challenging old beliefs.
International Students' Workshop
As an international student, it may be exciting to leave your home country to come study in the United States. However, you may also face the challenge of addressing academic and personal concerns as you are exposed to a new culture. You may have some of the same academic and personal concerns as other UK students; however, you may also experience a number of unique challenges that can complicate the process of adjusting to university life and achieving academic goals. The International Students' Workshop provides a place for international students to meet other international students who have similar concerns. This space provides an opportunity to learn from one another about adjusting to a new culture and educational system, dealing with different customs, and practice speaking English.
Sexual Health Discussion Group
This discussion group is open to all students on a drop in basis. It is a 12 part series of discussions with a different topic each week. You may have questions about appropriate use of birth control for yourself or your partner, anatomy questions, questions about sexually transmitted infections, or you may want to learn more about how to have a discussion with your partner about sex. Men's sexual health issues and women's sexual health issues will be explored. People of all sexual orientations are welcome. The workshop is typically facilitated by both a medical and a mental health professional. The workshop will take 50 minutes per session. No appointment is necessary to attend the workshops. Contact the University Health Services for additional information about this offering.