Personal Counseling Groups
The Counseling Center offers a variety of counseling, support, and educational groups each semester. Participants in groups benefit from the mutual support and learning that occurs from interaction with others who have similar concerns. For more information about our groups, or to schedule your pre-group interview, please call 355-8270; TTY 353-7278.
Below is a listing of our diverse and supportive groups:
2009-2010 Academic School Year Groups
About Phase: Good Medications vs Bad Drugs
Facilitators: Raul Gonzales DCSW
The discussions will focus on: Plain talk about how to avoid the pitfalls of alcohol and other drug use. All MSU “dudes and dudettes” students with a substance use problem are welcome. This can be your very own support group and motivation for change. Student participation will not require prescreening.
The group work will start in September and is to be held in one of the smaller rooms in basement suite 6 from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month.
African American Female Therapy Group
Facilitators: Carmen Gear, M.A., L.P.C & Talitha Easterly, Ph. D.
A non-traditional group approach incorporating essential elements of African American Culture. The group is offered to assist individual members with moving toward self-healing through collective sharing around multi-media stimuli. *Pre-group interview is required. ~~Mondays, 3:30- 5:00 p.m., 13A Student Services Building~~
And So It Goes
Facilitator: Robert W. Eubanks, LMSW
Group Description: This is an interpersonal process group for Graduate or Upper Division undergraduate students. Group process facilitation will be provided for group participants toward the improvement of self awareness & self esteem, the resolution of anxiety related problems through Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction applications, and enhancement of functioning within interpersonal relationships will also be facilitated through the basic structure of this group.
Time: 6:00pm
Day: Tuesday
Location: Counseling Center, Room 207 Student Services
Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Facilitators: David Novicki, Ph.D., Yvonne Langdon Pre-Doc. and Dr. Swapna Hingwe
A group for members of the MSU student community who are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Targets for the group will include psycho-education, mood charting, strategies for hypomania, cognitive restructuring/skill acquisition, activity management, medication adherence and relapse prevention. *Pre-group interview is required with Dr. Novicki Thursdays, 1:15-3:00 p.m., 207 Student Services Building
Breaking or Broken?: A Relationships Therapy Group
Facilitators: D. John Lee, Ph.D., and Jonathan Blair, M.A.
Are you having difficulties in your significant relationships (e.g. romantic break-up, family problems, etc.)? This group will help you understand yourself, your relationships, and the processes of forgiving and healing. We will also explore how to develop healthy patterns of relating to those individuals who mean the most to you. Group Screen (30 minute interview) with Dr. John Lee is required before participation. (Sorry, this is not a couples group).
The group will be held at the Counseling Center’s –Self Care Room on Thursdays, 4:00 – 5:30pm. Start Date: Sept. 24 – Nov. 19 (8 sessions – there is no meeting on Oct. 22).
CHANGING EMOTIONS YOU NEED TO CHANGE: Turning Negative Attitudes Into Positive Actions
Facilitators: Ramiro Gonzales, MSW & John Taylor, Psy.D.
Is dwelling on the past, brooding, worrying or dreading the worse keeping you in a rut? This group is a three-session 90-minute program designed to help students learn how to counteract such mindsets which can keep us stuck in depression, anxiety and despair. To register call: Ramiro or John at 355-8270.
Time & Place Group Meets: Thursdays, 3:00-4:30 p.m. 207 Students Services
Coping with Anxiety Group
Facilitators: David Novicki, Ph.D., Geoff Bathje Pre-Doc.
A group for members of the MSU student community who are experiencing difficulties in handling the cues for and symptoms of anxiety. Topics will include fears of diseases, medical concerns, panic symptoms, and phobias, in addition to test anxiety and perfectionism. Participants will be taught anxiety management techniques in addition to receiving assistance with their difficulties. *Pre-group interview required with Dr. Novicki Mondays & Tuesdays, 3:00-5:00 p.m., 207 Student Services Building
Coping with Eating Disorder: Treatment
Facilitators: David Novicki, Ph.D.,
A group for members of the MSU student community who are experiencing difficulties with eating and/or body image. Topics will include recognizing cues that stimulate anxiety about body image or eating and learning new methods of responding to those various cues. Automatic thoughts and habituated behavior will also be examined and different ways of thinking and behaving will be explored. *Pre-group interview is required with Dr. Novicki Wednesdays & Thursdays, 3:00-5:00 p.m., 207 Student Services Building
Dissertation Support Group
Facilitators: Dr. Jan Collins-Eaglin, Dr. John Lee, Xavier Chiang, Aislinn Sapp
This group is for graduate students who are engaging in their dissertation. Please contact Linda Hall in the graudate offices at: 517-432-6800
Dimensions
Facilitator: Robert W. Eubanks, LMSW
This is a psychoeducation class containing various dimensions of alcohol education. Educational information will be imparted in a setting where group members will be facilitated to engage actively in some aspects of this class. Information will be provided about Blood Alcohol Concentration, Harm Reduction, Social Norming, State and Local laws, ordinances, and related information. University rules, regulations, and other pertinent factual information will be provided and reviewed with students.
Time: 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Day: Wednesday
Location: Room 6 Student Services Building (*students much check in at the Counseling Center in room 207 before 5:00pm)
General Therapy Group for Women
Facilitators: Barb Walkington, ACSW
Tuesdays 5:30-7:00
Topics will include self awareness, assertiveness, personal safety, and others determined by the group members. Overcome experiences of unwanted sexual activity—from cat calling to sexual assault
* Pre group interview required with Barb Walkington.
Location: TBA
Graduate Minority Women's Support Group
Facilitator: Tawa Sina, Ph.D.
The focus of this group is to assist minority women in traversing the academic and social pressures involved with being a graduate student. Open to all graduate women with minority status (e.g., race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion). This group will begin on September 14, 2009 and a *Pre-group interview is required for new members. Group will meet on Mondays from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in 245 Student Services Building.
Grief Recovery Group
Facilitators: Bonnie Wheeler M.A., LPC, LMSW and Decolius Johnson Ph.D.
This is a group for members of the MSU student community who are experiencing difficulties in handling the death of a loved one.
- Group goals: (1) normalize the experience of bereavement using psycho-education about grief and experiential exercises, (2) provide support for students who have experienced a recent death or loss in their life, and (3) provide a safe place for students to talk about their feelings regarding their recent loss.
Topics will include normal grief, dimensions of grief, fears related to loss , and coping strategies.
*Pre-group interview required with Bonnie Wheeler, M.A., LPC
Day and times: Mondays 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., starting September 14, 2009
207 Student Services Building. 355-8270
Home Away From Home
Facilitators: Christine Zhou Ph.D., Nancy Hammoudah Pre-Doc.
This is a support group for undergraduate and graduate international and immigrant students of diverse cultural backgrounds. The group provides a safe and confidential place to explore the challenges and rewards associated with living, working, and learning in the United States. It also offers opportunities to share, to support and to connect with others from all over the world.
Learning Objectives:
- Support yourself and others
- Make meaningful and deep cross-cultural connections
- Learn about yourself and build confidence
- Succeed academically and interpersonally
- Enjoy and live a fulfilling life
This group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 2:00-3:30pm in self-care room of the Student Services Building. *Pre-group interview is required with Christine Zhou, Ph.D. (christinez@cc.msu.edu) and/or Nancy Hammoudah (Nancyh@cc.msu.edu).
OurSpace
Facilitators: Dr. Jen Grzegorek
OurSpace is a support group for students who wish to explore their sexual orientation or gender identity. No pre-screening is necessary. Interested participants may simply come to a group meeting. Check out our flyer!
Time: Tuesdays starting September 8, 2009, 4-5:30 p.m.
Location: W013 Phillips Hall
Contact Jen Grzegorek for more information at jeng@cc.msu.edu or 355-8270
Overcoming Social Anxiety
Facilitator: Natalie Mitchell, Psy.D.
Do you worry about how others perceive you? Do you struggle to feel comfortable interacting with others? This support group is designed to help students overcome the anxiety they experience in social situations. The group will focus on promoting social comfort and interpersonal growth- exploring these reactions and concerns in a safe and supportive environment.
Learning Objectives:
- Improve understanding of self in social interactions
- Learn coping strategies to reduce and manage anxiety
- Improve understanding of others’ reactions and social expectations
- Get back into your life by reducing avoidance of anxiety provoking social situations
This group meets weekly on Thursdays from 3:15-4:45pm at Olin Health Center, beginning September 24th. *Pre-group interview is required with Natalie Mitchell (nataliem@cc.msu.edu, 517-353-7754)
Turning Point
Facilitator: Robert W. Eubanks, LMSW
Group Description: This is a group for students who are making life changes in order to break the cycle of substance abuse and to reverse the damage caused by substance abuse. Group Support, Stages of Change, Motivational Interviewing, Twelve Step principles, Mindfulness Based approaches, and Developmental perspectives will all be present
Location: Counseling Center room 245
Day: Monday and Thursday
Time: 6:00pm to 7:30pm
UBU- Advancing a Healthy Lifestyle Through Self-empowerment
Facilitators: Dr. Decolius Johnson
A self-management skills development group experience. Students will learn to identify and implement behaviors and goals to facilitate balance in their lives. They will practice healthy activities and positive attitudes as the standards for wellness in daily living. Group Start-up occur monthly- 2nd week of each month.
- Thursdays 3:30pm-5:00pm
- Duration: 4weeks
- Start: 2nd week in September 09'
- Location: Rm 13, Student Services Bldg.
- Admission Criteria: DRT recommendation & PHQ-9 Score: 5-14