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Group Counseling

Group counseling is a highly effective form of therapeutic treatment. The small and intimate nature of a group (typically no more than eight members) provides a safe and supportive space for students to explore a range of issues as they interact with others. Getting feedback from peers, learning that others are dealing with similar issues, and feeling that you can help someone else are only a few of the benefits of group counseling. Although many new group members express uncertainty about talking about their problems with others, cohesion and comfort among participants increases with each session.

Some groups are referred to as “general therapy groups” and address a range of interpersonal issues. Other groups are more focused on specific challenges, such as anxiety, depression, stress, men’s issues, eating disorders, and procrastination. Unlike individual counseling, there is no limit to the number of group therapy sessions available to students.


Spring 2024 Group Schedule

Review the list of our current therapy groups below. Click the tabs to find more information about each therapy group. Please note: groups will be offered in person and virtually, depending on the group.

General Therapy Groups (IN PERSON)

A safe space to understand and express emotions, explore better ways of interacting with others, and find increased authenticity in relationships in and out of the therapy room.

Undergraduate/Graduate Student General Therapy Group – Tuesdays

  • 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. (contact Dr. CJ Polihronakis, Ph.D. (he/him) at cjpoli@umd.edu)

Undergraduate Student General Therapy Group – Thursdays

  • 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. (contact Dr. Pepper Phillips, Ph.D. (she/her) at pepper@umd.edu)

Graduate Student General Therapy Group – Mondays

  • 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (contact Dr. Erica Merson (she/her) at merson12@umd.edu)

Graduate Student General Therapy Group – Tuesdays

  • 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. (contact Dr. Allison Asarch (she/her) at aasarch@umd.edu)(hybrid format that will be primarily virtual)

Undergraduate Student General Therapy Group – Mondays

Creating Confidence (IN PERSON)

This time-limited group is for students who struggle with anxiety and fears that keep them stuck, afraid, or unable to fulfill their social or personal potentials. Students will learn new skills to overcome their anxiety and build social confidence.

  • Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (contact Dr. Michelle Farrell (they/them) at farrell2@umd.edu)
Life Skills (IN PERSON)

This is a 10-week structured group that introduces dialectical behavior therapy skills of mindfulness, emotion regulation interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.

  • Tuesdays, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. (contact Dr. Urvi Paralkar (she/her) at paralkar@umd.edu)
  • Wednesdays, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. (contact Dr. Urvi Paralkar (she/her) at paralkar@umd.edu)
Stress Management (VIRTUAL)

This a six week semi structured group designed to provide a supportive space for students who are interested in learning skills to manage their emotions in stressful times. Students whose emotions interfere with their ability to solve problems and communicate in relationships would benefit from this group.

  • Tuesdays, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. (contact Dr. Jihee Hong (she/her) at jhong114@umd.edu)
Hope and Healing (IN PERSON)

A supportive and confidential environment for female survivors of sexual assault.

Memory Circle (IN PERSON)

This group offers emotional support and information about the process of grief and helps students develop adaptive coping strategies for managing loss.

  • Wednesdays, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. (contact Dr. Yi-Jiun Lin (she/her) at ylin1234@umd.edu)
My Body My Self (IN PERSON)

Explores the experiences of women-identified and nonbinary people in their struggles with body image and self-worth and the ways that dieting, obsessing about thinness, binge-eating, over-exercising, and purging may affect their lives.

  • Wednesdays, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. (contact Dr. Erica Merson (she/her) at merson12@umd.edu)
Dissertation Support Group (VIRTUAL)

Members will receive support from the facilitator and each other in getting through the struggles involved in completing their dissertation or thesis.

  • Mondays, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. (contact Dr. Chandni Shah (she/her) at chandni@umd.edu)
Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Student Support Group (IN PERSON)

This group is open to undergrad and graduate APIDA diaspora of diverse identities to share their challenges and successes when navigating academic/career concerns, family/cultural value conflicts, relationships, identities, acculturation process, sociopolitical climates and beyond. This group aims to create a safe space for APIDA students to cultivate radical healing, hope, mental wellness and empowerment through storytelling and support.

  • Fridays, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. (contact Dr. Chandni Shah(she/her) at chandni@umd.edu)
Circle of Sisters (IN PERSON)

Undergraduate students only

A support group for Black women to talk about various topics such as identity development, self-confidence, family, friendships, dating & relationships, academics, sexuality, and navigating life at a PWI and beyond.

  • Thursdays, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. (contact Dr. Shealyn Blanchard (she/her) at sblanch1@umd.edu)
Men and Masculinities (IN PERSON)

This group aims to assist men- and masculine-identified students better understand themselves and how they interact with people of the same/similar and other genders. Topics of discussion may include - but are in no way limited to - exploration of gender roles and expectations, body image, emotional expression and communication patterns, sex, sexual health, and intimacy, relationships with partners, friends, peers, and family, as well as academic and professional concerns. Group sessions will also consider the intersection of additional sociocultural identities (e.g., race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious/spiritual identity, social class) in relation to the varied experiences of being a masculine- or man-identified person.

  • Fridays, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. (contact Dr. CJ Polihronakis, Ph.D. (he/him) at cjpoli@umd.edu)
Queer Students of Color Support (IN PERSON)

This group is open to undergraduate and graduate students of Color who represent the sexual orientation and gender continuum. Members of the group are invited to participate in co-creating a space to discuss identity, coming out, transitioning, relationships, struggles, victories, and more - a space to decompress, share what's on your mind, and find support.

  • Thursdays, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. (contact Dr. Alex Agiliga (she/her) at aagiliga@umd.edu)
LGBTQIA+ Support Group (IN PERSON)

The LGBTQIA+ Support Group provides a co-created space for sexually marginalized (e.g., bisexual, asexual, queer, lesbian, gay, questioning) and gender expansive (e.g., transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, agender, gender non-conforming) undergraduate and graduate students to engage in discussions around their intersecting identities, coming out and/or transitioning experiences, relationships, families, as well as struggles and victories. This group aims to provide a space for LGBTQIA+ students to decompress, share what is happening in their lives, and find support from other Queer individuals.

  • Mondays, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (contact Dr. CJ Polihronakis (he/him) at cjpoli@umd.edu)
Entre Nosotrxs Latinx Support Group (IN PERSON)

This group is meant to be a safe space for Latinx students to share their stories, struggles, and successes as they work to accomplish their academic goals at UMD. Students may discuss experiences related to their identity, cultural values, academics/career, family, and relationships, among other topics. Students will learn about themselves, gain support, and work on improving their self-care and life balance.

  • Fridays, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. (contact Dr. Maria Berbery (she/her) at mberbery@umd.edu)
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