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Group Counseling

The Counseling Center offers both short-term and long-term group programs on a regular basis. Given that many of our issues involve our relationships with others in our lives, group therapy is a powerful means through which to explore our issues. To learn more about the Advantages of group therapy, click here.

The counseling Center offers a variety of therapy groups each semester. Some of them are:

Understanding Self & Others Therapy Groups

Members explore and talk about patterns of relating to self and others with the aim of developing greater understanding and acceptance of themselves and others. Presenting issues vary widely from depression, anxiety, and difficulties relating to/accepting self or others, issues of family conflict or abuse, etc. Students who want to resolve specific concerns as well as those seeking personal growth are welcome. This can be a good time for individuals to get their peers' perspectives on various issues, and recognize that they are not alone.

Men's or Women’s Therapy Groups

This is the same type of group as the Understanding Self & Others group, but allows for support from all male or all female members.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Therapy Group

This group is for those self-identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or for those who may be struggling with their sexual orientation identity. This can be an opportunity to discuss issues related to being a sexual minority, such as coming out, homophobia, and relationships. In addition, this can be a forum to discuss more general issues, such as depression, anxiety, or self-esteem, within a safe and supportive environment.

Transgender Therapy Group

This group is for those self-identifying as transgender, gender-variant, transsexual or for those who may be struggling with their sexual/gender identity or expression. This can be an opportunity to discuss issues related to being a sexual minority, such as coming out, transphobia, beginning or continuing a process of transformation (passing, RLE, hormonal treatment, seeking official name/gender change, etc), and relationship issues. In addition, this can be a forum to discuss more general issues, such as depression, anxiety, or self-esteem, within a safe and supportive environment.

Body Image Group

This group is also referred to as “A group for Every Body”. This group invites participants to tackle issues nearly everyone is concerned about: dieting, weight, body image, and self-esteem. Supportive, educational, and creative activities will be used to explore the connections between food, body, and self.

Mindfulness Group

Mindfulness can help us decrease stress and deal more effectively with our emotions. This group will focus on building present moment awareness of emotional and physiological experiences. The group will also address developing skills that entail stepping out of “auto-pilot” reactions. Group activities will include practice of meditation, breathing strategies, and mindfulness in day-to-day life activities.

Painful Pasts, Promising Futures Group 

This group is designed for those who have experienced traumatic events in their lives or who come from backgrounds in which they did not feel safe.  Members will learn how their past experiences and their biological predispositions are affecting their lives now.  More importantly, they will learn what to do about it!  Members will learn important insights about their patterns in relationships and skills to better manage their emotions and relationships.  All potential members will meet first with the group leaders so that we can answer any questions you may have before joining the group. 

ADD/ADHD Group

Members of this group will learn about information and skills training to address common impairments related to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, also called ADD). The primary focus is on learning and applying organization, planning, problem solving, distraction-reducing, adaptive/positive thinking skills. The group is planned for 8-10 sessions of 90 minutes each, and will utilize a participant workbook. Screening and post-treatment outcome assessment will be conducted. Students receiving medication may get the greatest benefit.

Other groups offered at the Counseling Center

Assertiveness Training, Anxiety Management, Sexual Trauma Survivors, Stress Management, Smoking Cessation, and Understanding Self & Others for Resident Assistants.

All of the groups offered by the Counseling Center are designed to provide meaningful experiences for students who want to resolve specific concerns; for those who want to learn how to better deal with interpersonal relationships; and for those who want to feel better about themselves. Groups generally meet weekly and are most often limited to 6-8 people.
 

For more information about therapy groups, contact Dr. Amber Lyda at the Counseling Center at 262-3180 or e-mail her at lydaam@appstate.edu.