Group Counseling

During the Fall and Spring Semesters of each academic year, the Counseling Center offers undergraduate and graduate students a number of small group experiences on issues related to their needs. These groups can take a variety of forms. Some focus on a specific topic or problem, while others address a number of different concerns. Unlike the limits on individual counseling sessions, students are not limited in their participation in appropriate groups.

Confidentiality in Group Counseling

Group sessions are confidential. Every member of each therapy group at the Counseling Center is required to sign an agreement to adhere to the rules of confidentiality. In signing this agreement, group members make a personal pledge that nothing occurring in the group, including names of other group members, will be shared with anyone outside of the group. These rules are critical to the development of a safe, respectful, and trusting atmosphere which allows individuals to openly share their feelings.

In a Group You Can

  • Learn more about how you are perceived by others.
  • Experience a sense of acceptance and belonging.
  • Discover that you are not alone in the difficulties you are experiencing.
  • Hear ideas from others which enhance your ability to make decisions and solve problems.
  • Benefit from the experience of being helpful to others.
  • Learn to constructively express your feelings and ideas to others.
  • Gain encouragement by observing the successes of others

 

Group Schedule for Fall 2011

 

General Therapy- Weekly, Fridays @ 11am-12pm.

The purpose of this group is to help students who are struggling in any area of their lives and would like to work on improving themselves through the interactive nature of group.  This group provides an opportunity to share and receive feedback about personal struggles with peers.

Substance Use Issues-Weekly, Mondays @3-4pm.

Substance use in college is always an issue that is discussed frequently. Sometimes the pressure to conform finds us. Sometimes using substances as a relief from stress happens. Using substances to focus on studying or improve academic performance can be tempting. If you have found that you have established some patterns of use that are causing problems then maybe this group can help. It can provide you with a way of changing any problem behavior that they may be causing. Call us and see if this is for you.

Building Healthy Communication Within Relationships-Weekly, Thursdays @ 3-4pm.

Building healthy communication within relationships is a key to experiencing meaningful and rewarding relationships. This group is designed to provide students with a safe place to explore and to build self-awareness, to receive support and peer feedback, and to have the opportunity to practice, in vivo, with other students who are experiencing similar difficulties. 

Coping with Grief and Loss-Weekly, Tuesdays @ 2-3pm.

For many, the death of a loved one can be a traumatic event that may impact many areas of our lives and can leave us not knowing how to feel or when and where to talk about it.  In this group we will discuss information about the process of bereavement and common experiences associated with death and dying.  The group will provide a supportive environment to discuss loss, how we have been impacted, and encourage healing. 

Disordered Eating- Weekly, Wednesdays @ 2-3pm 

Recovery from an eating disorder often involves group support.  These groups provide each member the opportunity to understand the importance of interpersonal relationships and how eating disorders affect them.  Through encouragement, feedback, and support, members will learn how to develop a healthier body image and learn healthy eating styles.

Coping with Anxiety and Stress- Weekly, Fridays @ 3-4 pm.

Anxiety can become overwhelming and interfere with one’s quality of life. This group is designed to aid students in developing healthy coping skills to combat anxiety and improve overall wellness and a healthier lifestyle. The group will provide a comfortable, encouraging environment for personal growth. The application of learned anxiety reducers such as guided imagery, self-talk, preventative strategies and motivational tools will be utilized. 

Adjustment to College- Weekly, Thursdays @2-3pm.

Welcome to EIU! Pursuing a college education requires adjustment on the part of all students, though the type and degree of adjustment experienced by each student will vary depending on background, experience, and prior schooling. Students who are leaving high school, attending college full-time, and living on campus tend to experience the most dramatic adjustment. This group is designed to be fun, interactive and will be packed with information which will help you make EIU your home-away-from-home and a more pleasurable experience. We will discuss roles, relationships, academic demands, social demands, student sub-populations, university resources, community resources, and acclimation. 

Emotional Management- Weekly, Tuesdays @ 3-4pm.

This group is for students who struggle with strong emotions and want to learn how to cope in healthy ways when upset, angry, sad, or lonely.  Members will have opportunities to learn how to make appropriate choices for themselves while getting their needs met.

Interested?- If you feel you could be helped by participating in a group, please call the Counseling Center (581-3413), or stop by our office in the Human Services Building, to arrange an appointment.