Group therapy helps participants learn more about themselves and their relationships. Groups are a powerful and effective option for most emotional concerns and provide a supportive and safe environment to explore common issues together.

Please contact Dr. Keara Sherman at kds6w3@umsystem.edu or (816) 235-5328 for questions or to enroll in any of the following groups:

Interpersonal Processing Groups — Monday 3:00-4:30pm or Thursday 8:30-10:00am

These groups are designed to help individuals become more aware of your thoughts and feelings through exploring the “here-and-now” with other group members. This fosters greater self-awareness and more nourishing relationships that extend well beyond the therapeutic space.

LGBTQIA+ Support — Monday 9:00-10:00am

This semester-long support group will provide a space for anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+ in which you can feel safe to discuss what’s going on in your life, relevant topics, or anything else you desire with peers and a facilitator from Counseling Services. This is a group for you to receive and give support, learn about other people’s experiences, and be in a safe place for exploration.

Grief and Loss Support — Tuesdays 12-1pm

This group provides a supportive and safe space for students to learn about the grieving process, as well as share experience of loss and give and receive emotional support. Members of the group will be limited to those who have experienced a recent loss, or those who have had a significant loss (i.e. parent, sibling) at some point in their life.

Moving Forward — Thursday 4:00-5:00pm

This will be a confidential and supportive space for female-identifying students who have experienced sexual violence in any form. This group will help bring together students and assist them in gaining support, as well as exploring ways to help heal through learning coping strategies and sharing stories. This safe and supportive time together will be guided by topics and concerns, including coping, managing triggers, trust and safety, managing relationships, self-esteem, and others.

Coping in Crisis — Wednesday 3:00-4:00pm or Friday 1:00-2:00pm

The current pandemic has brought with it unprecedented losses in every community, and has disproportionately impacted communities of color, underserved communities, and vulnerable populations. Many have experienced feelings of fear, loss, isolation, anxiety, and sadness, among many others. This group will be primarily supportive, but will also provide skills and psychoeducation related to stress relief, connection, coping in uncertain times, and mindfulness.

Body Wellness — Tuesday 11:00am-12:00pm

A group aimed at helping students who want to explore body image, as well as their relationship with food, and disordered eating.

Beyond Addiction — Monday 2:00pm-3:00pm

When a family member or friend is dealing with substance use issues, it can be difficult for those who love and care about them. This support group provides a supportive, safe space for individuals to come together and be inspired and empowered, as well as share hope and grow with the help of peers and the support of counselors.

Health Sciences Support — Thursday 6:00-7:00pm

This group will allow current Health Sciences students to discuss the challenges they face, ways to deal with the hurdles and hassles of school, find ways to connect with others, and consider ways to manage stress and live a balanced life. Topics will include academics, stress management skills, relationships, career concerns, and more.

Empowering Women — Friday 10:00-11:00am

This group provides a safe space for individuals who identify as women to come together to share and explore challenges, stressors, and successes in their lives. This supportive space will allow women to receive multiple perspectives, feedback, and empowerment from one another. 

Dissertation /Thesis Support — Thursday 5:00-6:00pm

A support group for students who are currently working on their thesis or dissertation. This offers a supportive space to discuss challenges and successes, as well as tips and ideas, from others who are facing the same frustrations, isolation, struggles, and successes that come with writing a dissertation or thesis.

Success, Not Excess — Thursday 12:00-1:00pm

This support group is for students who may have concerns related to some form of substance use and how it may be impacting their personal, social, and academic lives. This group is directed towards those students who want to find ways to manage, reduce, or quit using certain substances. By combining peer support, therapeutic strategies, and psychoeducation, this group will help students to identify, develop, and implement effective strategies based on their own goals.

Men’s Engagement — Thursday 9:00-10:00am

This group provides a space for students who identify as men to come together and discuss concerns, explore and manage their mental health, and reflect on their relationships with others. The group will allow for exploration of societal and family impacts on what it means to be a man. A relaxed and supportive environment will allow group members to provide and receive feedback and discuss relevant topics, challenges, and successes.

Ready and Able — Thursday 3:00-4:00pm

A support group for those who are navigating life as a college student with a health and/or other disability issue. This group will provide an affirming and safe space for students who have similar life experiences, to feel validated, understood, and encouraged.

First Gen — Friday 11:00am-12:00pm

This support group for first generation college students will provide a supportive space for individuals to build community, navigate new situations, discuss struggles and successes, and receive useful feedback. Group members will also receive therapeutic support, psychoeducation, and practical college information and coping skills from the clinical facilitator. 

Art Therapy — October (Dates and times TBD)

This group will meet in person once a week. There are no grades nor judgments here, the purpose is to make art to find relief from stress by promoting mindfulness, self-awareness, and resiliency. Wear your mask and practice physical distancing. Art supplies provided, and no artistic talent is required to participate. Contact Melanie Arroyo Perez at miabqz@umk.edu to sign up.

Acing Academic Anxiety — Tuesday 5:00-6:00pm

A counseling group for students who experience anxiety around academics. These 4-session series will help students learn skills to manage and reduce test-taking anxiety and other academic stressors.