students sitting in a Student Counselling Drop in group

Group Therapy and Support Groups

Groups and workshops are powerful tools for growth and change.  Many students participate in our groups each semester.  Whether you want to overcome challenges, improve relationships, connect with others, or learn how to manage stress, anxiety or depression, there is a place for you. 

Therapy and support groups are facilitated by health care professionals. Groups are offered both in the fall and winter semesters.  

If you wish to participate in one of the wellness groups, please email scc@uwindsor.ca and we will contact you back within 24-48 hours or you can call (519) 253-3000 extension 4616.

ALL GROUPS ARE HELD IN ROOM 240, 2nd FLOOR OF THE CAW STUDENT CENTRE

 

Available Groups:

COPE

Doing the best you can, but still struggling? Need a new approach to the problems of life?

When you attend a COPE session, you will gain skills and knowledge to help you do things differently in your life.

Each session is 50 minutes in length, and runs for two weeks.

Come join us and start thriving instead of surviving.

Register Here for an upcoming COPE session

Managing Conflict and Getting Needs Met

Using principles of DBT, interpersonal effectiveness

Objective: You will learn skills that help you communicate effectively with other people and boundary setting.

This is a good match for students that seem to have relational issues.

  • Mondays from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Register Now to join a "Managing Conflict and Getting Needs Met" group

Managing Strong and Difficult Emotions

Using principles of DBT, interpersonal effectiveness

Objective: You will learn skills that help you communicate effectively with other people and boundary setting.

This is a good match for students who are experiencing situational difficulty with managing their emotions.

  • Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Thursday from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Register Now to join a "Managing Strong and Difficult Emotions" group

LEARN

Need some help, but not sure where to start? Wanting to change, but not sure how?

When you attend a LEARN workshop, you will gain information and concrete strategies to help you move forward from struggles.

Each single session is approximately 50 minutes in length.

Come join us and get a taste of which change path is best for you!

Understanding Anxiety

Psychoeducational group for understanding the physiological symptoms of anxiety.

  • Monday from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (in-person)
  • Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (virtually)

Register Now for "Understanding Anxiety"

Mindfulness and Meditation

A semester round group available to students to learn and practice skills dedicated specifically to mindfulness.

  • Friday from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Register Now for "Mindfulness and Meditation"

GROW

Feeling stuck, and wanting to do things differently? Feel like the past defines you?

When you attend a GROW session, you will understand your self and your past behaviors so that you can implement skills and strategies for change.

Each session is 90 minutes in length, and runs for 4-6 weeks.

Come join us and look forward to your future with hope.

Codependency and Adult Relationships

Using principles of DBT, students will learn about their attachment styles, how it relates to people pleasing, the negative effects our behaviour can have on ourselves and our adult relationships, assertive communication, and boundary setting.

  • Tuesdays from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Register now for "Codependency and Adult Relationships"

DBT Skills Group (6-week cohorts)

A group dedicated to working through the 4 pillars of DBT: Emotional regulation, mindfulness, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness. This group is a good match for students with personality disorders, self-harm tendencies, or non-crisis related suicidal ideation.

  • Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
  • Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
  • Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Register Now to join a "DBT Skills" group

CBT Skills Group: The Struggle is Real (4-Week Cohorts)

Using principles of CBT. Students will learn the thoughts/feelings/behaviour connection, unhelpful thinking styles, challenge automatic thoughts, and reframe new perspectives. This group is a good match for students who may need a change in perspective on their situation or who’s presenting problem is anxiety or depression.

  • Mondays from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Wednesdays from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
  • Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Register Now to join a "CBT Skills: the Struggle is Real" group

Feeling like the road to change is long and lonely?

When you attend a TOGETHER session, you will maintain skills and find connection with others.

Each session is 50 minutes in length, and runs every week.

Come join us and find your people (who are also working on change?).

 

Therapeutic Skills Maintenance – (Previously DBT Maintenance)

An on-going open group for anyone that has had ANY prior experience with SCC (individual counselling, a LEARN/COPE/GROW group, or single session).

The group is available all year round at the same time.  Wednesdays @ 3:00pm

For those that want something consistent to keep therapeutic skills fresh and maintained in their daily lives.

 


Student checking her phone

FAQ about Group Therapy

You get to decide what, when, and how much you want to share with the group. You will never be forced to disclose any information that you are not ready or willing to share. As a first step, it is helpful to simply listen to others who are struggling with similar difficulties. When you feel comfortable and safe enough to share, you will likely experience the group to be supportive, encouraging, and affirming. 

You are not alone! Most people feel anxious about talking in a group. It is our experience though, that within a few sessions, most people find that they become comfortable enough to begin talking and sharing in the group. 

Group therapy can be more efficient than individual therapy. You have the added benefit of listening to others and finding commonalities in the concerns they are working on. As group members bring up issues, you might realize that you are being similarly affected. In this way, you have the opportunity to address issues that you were not initially aware needed addressing.

Research shows that group therapy can be equally effective as individual therapy, and in some cases, actually more effective than individual therapy. This is because of the opportunity to learn from the experience of others, receive support and feedback, and address issues that perhaps were outside your realm of awareness.

Group facilitators are there to ensure a safe, confidential, and supportive environment. No judgement allowed! As you come to trust other group members, you will likely find that you have many concerns in common. This leads to an increased sense of understanding and acceptance. 

There are no problems too big or too small! Everyone benefits from knowing that they are not alone; that they are not the only one struggling. As you help and support others in the group, you are also contributing to your own well-being.