UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 19, Page 7
February 8, 1996
Spring sessions; Group counseling addresses student concerns

     The group counseling program at the Center for Counseling and
Student Development allows students to work with professional
counselors and their peers to address stressful situations.
     Often, students believe they are "the only ones" coping with
certain feelings or personal difficulties.
     Group counseling serves as a tool for reducing feelings of
isolation, according to Sharon Mitchell, center psychologist, who said
the nature of group interaction makes it possible to not only be
helped but to help others.
     When students listen to others describe and attempt to resolve
their problems, Mitchell said, it instills a sense of hope that they,
too, can deal with their own problems. Group counseling allows for
constant reinforcement and support of each individual's efforts to
learn, change and grow.
     Groups at the counseling center are small in size, ranging from
six to eight members, to give ample opportunity for individual
concerns.
     The groups generally meet once a week during the regular
semesters for one-and-a-half hours.
     Twelve counseling groups will be offered this spring:
        * Three general co-ed therapy groups are for students who want
          to increase self-awareness, develop problem-solving skills
          and make personal decisions. Opportunities are provided for
          students to learn more effective and satisfying ways of
          relating to others. (1:30-3 p.m. and 3:30-5 p.m, Tuesdays;
          3:30-5 p.m., Wednesdays)
        * Rape Survivors Group provides support for students as they
          heal from the emotional and psychological wounds of sexual
          assault. (1:30-3 p.m, Thursdays)
        * Self-Esteem Group uses a combination of discussion,
          structured exercises, readings and lecture to examine blocks
          to self-esteem and to learn new strategies for improving
          one's relationship with self and others. (1:30-3 p.m.,
          Wednesdays)
        * Eating Disorders I is for undergraduate and graduate women
          who recently acknowledged their eating concerns or are at
          the beginning stages of recovery. (1:30-3 p.m., Wednesdays)
        * Eating Disorders II is for female students who have some
          previous experience addressing these problems and are at a
          point of recovery where they are interested in gaining
          insight on some of the underlying issues behind their
          relationship with food, weight and body image. (1:30-3 p.m.,
          Wednesdays)
        * Adult Children of Alcoholics groups are for students who
          wish to gain a better understanding of how growing up in
          homes where one or both parents are alcoholic has affected
          how they relate to family, self and others. The Wednesday
          (5:30-7 p.m.) drop-in group follows the 12-step recovery
          model of Alcoholics Anonymous, whereas the Thursday (1:30-3
          p.m.) group uses a traditional psychotherapy approach. The
          Thursday group also includes students whose parents, while
          not alcoholic, were unable to provide a nurturing
          environment due to other dysfunctions, including, but not
          limited to, physical and verbal abuse, mental illness or
          neglect.
        * Graduate Students/Returning Adult Group facilitates the
          personal growth and self-awareness of students who are older
          than the typical 18-22-year-old population.  (3:30-5 p.m.,
          Tuesdays)
        * Women's groups are for graduate and undergraduate women who
          would benefit from a setting where they could make
          connections with other women around such shared themes as
          self-esteem, relationships, assertiveness, achievement
          anxiety and loss and transition. (3:30-5 p.m., Mondays; 1:30-
          3 p.m.,Tuesdays)

     For more information, contact the Center for Counseling and
Student Development at 831-2141.