Group Therapy
Group Therapy
Group therapy is an evidence-based form of counseling that enhances the work of therapy through a supportive community of peers. Therapy groups are usually comprised of six to 10 students and two to three professional therapists that meet once a week for 60–90 minutes.
Group therapy is helpful for a variety of concerns, including loneliness, making friends, depression, anxiety, difficulties with relationships, identity concerns and trauma. Although clients often start group feeling anxious, the vast majority report enjoying group significantly by the end of the semester.
New! Group Registration Notifications
If you were interested in a group but couldn't attend because the group was already full or the meeting time didn't fit your schedule, let us know which group you'd like to join and what days and times fit your schedule. We'll contact you once registration opens and invite you to view the semester's offerings.
We're always looking to grow our group offerings to support the UD community, so please also share if you have ideas for group themes or topics; we'd love your input!
What students say about group therapy
90% of students reported that they felt more connected with others
96% of students reported positive changes in their lives
87% of students reported an increase in understanding themselves better
I appreciated how it helped my emotional state in the moment. I was having a hard time beforehand, but after the session I felt a bit uplifted and better for the rest of my day.
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All Results
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Autism Support
Mondays, 1–2:30 p.m.
ASD Support Group is for neurodivergent students with ASD. Group leaders work to provide a safe space for members to seek social support regarding relationships with family and friends, navigating campus life, obtaining information and connecting with others.
Screening required
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Can't Stop the Feelin'
Wednesdays, 3–4:30 p.m. (March 4–April 15)
or
Thursdays, 1–2:30 p.m. (April 2–May 7)This group will provide information on skills proven to be effective for managing difficult emotions. Participants will be encouraged to apply what is being learned to personal examples in a safe, supportive environment.
Screening required
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Family Business
Wednesdays, 1–2:30 p.m.
or
Thursdays, 3–4:30 p.m.This group provides a safe space for students to reflect, process and explore family dynamics that impact their relationships with others and themselves and the transition to adulthood.
Screening required
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Gold Medal Sleep
Tuesdays, 4–5 p.m.
Warner Hall 301- First Section: February 10–February 24
- Second Section: April 7–April 21
This workshop is designed to help you build habits that support,real, lasting sleep improvements without needing to buy anything, download an app or follow a complicated routine. Learn how to use your body to help you sleep and live better.
Walk-ins welcome
- First Section: February 10–February 24
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Knit Happens
Tuesdays, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
This dynamic group empowers high-achieving students to overcome perfectionism and tackle unexpected challenges through creativity and hands-on knitting activities. Participants build key skills in problem-solving, managing setbacks and reducing stress and anxiety.
Screening required
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Living with Loss
Thursdays, 5:30–7 p.m.
Warner Hall 103Navigating loss can be overwhelming when academic, social and personal pressures are constant. This support group provides a safe, confidential space for students to process their experiences with grief and loss and build connections with others who understand their experiences while finding hope and healing.
Walk-ins welcome
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Making Sense of it All (Graduate Students)
Tuesdays, 5–6:30 p.m.
Making Sense of it All (Graduate Students) is an existential therapy group for graduate students that offers a safe place to explore living authenetically, the fragility of life, existential isolation and the freedom and responsibility to create meaning or purpose in life.
Screening required
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Making Sense of it All (Undergraduate Students)
Wednesdays, 5–6:30 p.m.
Making Sense of it All (Undergraduate Students) is an existential therapy group for undergraduate students that offers a safe place to explore how to live authentically while contending with the givens of human existence, including the fragility of life and existential isolation and the freedom and responsibility to create meaning or purpose in life.
Screening required
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Rewriting Your Story
Wednesdays, noon–1 p.m.
Warner Hall 103This supportive weekly group offers a non-judgmental space for students who are:
- Seeking connection, clarity and a healthier path forward
- Navigating their own substance use and wanting to explore making changes
Walk-ins welcome
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Snack Group
Tuesdays, 3–4 p.m. (April 8–April 29)
Struggling with finding a snack you feel comfortable eating alone or with friends? Come to this workshop designed to help you feel more comfortable incorporating snacks into your life. We will provide snacks, mindfulness activity, support and a safe, non-judgmental environment.
Screening required
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U Belong
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Warner Hall 102
College can be overwhelming at times. This walk-in group provides a supportive space to explore common everyday stress, adjustment and mental health through discussion, social activities and shared learning with peers.
Walk-ins welcome
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Understanding Self and Others Graduate Student Therapy Group
Wednesdays, 5–6:30 p.m.
Meet other graduate students who will help you better understand yourself and relationships. Common topics include coping with depression and anxiety, navigating challenging relationships, setting healthy boundaries with others and living a more authentic and values-driven life.
Screening requirement
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Understanding Self and Others Graduate Student Therapy Group at CGPS
Fridays, 10–11:30 a.m.
Meet other graduate students who will help you better understand yourself and relationships. Common topics include coping with depression and anxiety, navigating challenging relationships, setting healthy boundaries with others and living a more authentic and values-driven life. Group is held in the CGPS offices.
Screening required
Screening Required
For groups that note that screening is required, students must attend a pre-screening to participate. If you are interested, please fill out our registration form and staff will be in touch to schedule an initial triage appointment.
Group Therapy FAQs
Relationships are an immense part of what makes therapy work. Group therapy takes advantage of this by creating opportunities for several impactful connections at once. Group is a bit like building a house; it’s more efficient to work with a crew of builders and two house-building experts than just you by yourself!
Group therapy can help students build deeper and more satisfying relationships, develop skills to better cope with emotions, increase their sense of belonging and decrease feelings of isolation and loneliness, and increase students' assertiveness skills and independence.
Students participating in our groups report these benefits:
- Getting multiple perspectives and support of others who can relate and empathize with them
- Connecting with others that understand them
- Not feeling as alone in the world or at UD
- Getting to practice their goals with others and getting honest and supportive feedback
- Feeling more motivated to work on and accomplish their therapy goals, as group meetings help keep them accountable
- Getting a lot of skills in a short amount of time to help them better cope
- Feeling more prepared for and getting more from individual therapy
Most of what brings students into therapy can be addressed in group therapy. For some concerns, such as social anxiety, loneliness, relationship difficulties and communication skills, group is one of the best treatments available. Group provides a unique opportunity to practice new skills and techniques with your peers that individual therapy is not well-suited to provide.
Not at all! Like any relationship, it is important to build trust before feeling comfortable enough to share vulnerably. We recommend starting small and then stretching yourself to share more deeply as time goes on. Group therapy is like a gym; starting with smaller weights builds the muscles to lift the heaviest ones. Practice your therapeutic goals over time, and you’ll see results!
A typical group session starts with a check-in where the group leaders ask who would like to share today. Group members can share how they’re feeling or if there’s something they’d like to talk about with the group. Some groups will have more structure to help guide the discussion. Group members give and receive feedback to each other while the facilitators help to keep the group on track.
Absolutely! Scientists researching effective therapy practices have shown group therapy works just as well as individual therapy. For some concerns, group therapy can be more effective than individual therapy. Talk to a counselor to learn more!
If you were interested in a group but couldn't attend, let us know which group you'd like to join and please provide dates and times that fit your schedule. Once registration opens, we'll contact you and invite you to view the semester's group offerings.
Additionally, we're always looking to grow our group offerings to best support the UD community. If you have ideas for group themes or topics, please share them with us!