(334) 844-5123

Counseling

Student Counseling & Psychological Services (SCPS) Group Counseling provides individual and group counseling
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Group Counseling

Group counseling is one of many forms of treatment offered by Student Counseling & Psychological Services. Some groups are focused on special themes like stress management, eating concerns, or anger management, while some other are more general and focus on resolving a range of issues, such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem problems, and relationship problems. For many types of problems, group counseling is the treatment of choice. Groups provide the opportunity to observe others solving their problems. Groups provide the advantage of a network of support. Groups are especially helpful in learning to build trust, self-acceptance, intimacy, communication skills, and empathy.

Although groups may differ, they generally meet weekly for 60 to 90 minutes, and include 5 to 10 members, and one or more professionals who act as group facilitators.

Students may be referred to group counseling by their current counselor or psychologist, or may be referred directly to group after their initial intake appointment atStudent Counseling and Psychological Services. Remember, group counseling is not a second-choice intervention; rather, it offers the opportunity to learn unique skills and/or a special interpersonal dimension to counseling.

If you are interested in group counseling, contact Student Counseling & Psychological Services at 334-844-5123. If you would like to see a certain type of group offered, please speak with Dr. Joeleen Cooper-Bhatia, Group Coordinator.

Frequently Asked Questions about Group Counseling

Types of groups:

Process groups focus on gathering information about and improving relationships. Members give and receive feedback about the ways in which they interact with one another and the group as a whole. They also help members explore potential new ways of behaving in relationships. Examples of previous process groups offered:

Understanding Self and Others (USO)

USO groups provide members with a supportive environment to discuss their concerns and receive feedback from others. USO groups do not have a specific theme or topic for discussion. Instead, they allow members the opportunity to talk about areas of their lives in in which they are experiencing difficulty. Reasons for attending a USO group include having problems in relationships, feeling dissatisfied or unhappy with relationships, wondering about how others perceive them, and testing new ways of behaving.

Graduate Student Understanding Self and Others (USO)

The Graduate Student USO is a weekly process-oriented group that provides a safe space for students pursuing graduate degrees to explore interpersonal and intrapersonal dynamics and concerns. The group provides a free and confidential space to receive multiple perspectives, feedback, and support from other graduate students. Members are encouraged to explore new ways of relating to others and to further develop self-esteem, self-awareness, and relational skills.

The Not So Perfect Family

This group provides members with an open forum to discuss concerns related to their families. Members can benefit from learning to change the ways in which dysfunctional family dynamics have contributed to difficulties with their emotional well-being and relationships with others.

The Auburn Men’s Group

For students identifying as men. Men receive messages and pressures throughout their lives around what it means to be a man. As a result, men may hide their challenges from others and keep their stressors to themselves. This group is a place for men to come together and discuss their problems in a casual and genuine way. Its purpose is to help members develop tools to better manage their mental health and relationships with others. Focus will be on how to infuse courage, integrity, and vulnerability into our lives as men. Group will cover many topics, including: relationships, intimacy, anxiety, depression, communication skills, and identifying the kind of man you want to be in today’s world. Facilitators: Dr. Dustin Johnson & Dr. Patrick O’Keefe. This group requires a screening appointment with Dr. Johnson prior to admission to the group.

Therapy support groups allow members who share a common characteristic or concern to discuss this with others in their situation. Members offer empathy, support, understanding, and encouragement to each other. Examples of previous therapy support groups offered:

Empowerment

This group is for any student who has felt disempowered. Whatever the situation, this can be a safe space to give and gain support from others who have had similar experiences. The goal is to provide support and to increase each member’s sense of empowerment.

Living with Loss and Grief

This is a support group for students who have experienced the death of a family member, friend, or a loved one. Whether the loss is recent or some time has passed, this group helps participants reflect on the death of loved ones in an intentional manner. Group members will have the opportunity to express, explore, and process grief in a safe, supportive environment. The group process reduces the sense of isolation and provides an environment in which members can grow in self-acceptance, ability to trust others and heal from grief and loss.

International Student Support

The International Student Support Group was designed to support international students in achieving their academic, personal, and relational needs as they adjust to college life in the United States. Members are encouraged to share their personal experiences and struggles and connect with other members around the globe. Topics of discussion may include: changing norms, culture shock, performance pressure, prejudice, language barriers, homesickness, financial pressure, career uncertainty, and mental health. This is a drop-in group, so no appointment is necessary. Contact SCPS to find out what time this confidential group meets during the current semester.

Mindful Eating

Mindful eating is eating with the intention of caring for yourself and the attention necessary for noticing and enjoying food and its effects on your body. Individuals who may benefit from this group include those who have felt out of control regarding eating, find themselves eating too much or too little, feel negative emotions surrounding eating, or notice they spent a lot of time, energy, and thought regarding eating.

Educational Groups/Workshops provide members with knowledge and skills related to a specific topic. Members participate in activities and exercises to help them gain greater insight and/or practice new skills. Examples of previous educational groups/workshops offered:

Preparing For Change

This workshop consists of three sessions (bringing awareness, identifying values, and generalizing skills) that are intended to help you learn new tools and get a better idea of what you might like to change in your life. The Preparing For Change workshop uses an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) approach to help you feel better equipped to begin to tackle your concerns.

Mindful Mondays

Research has shown that mindful practice and meditation can have a variety of benefits, such as lower stress levels, improved mood, reduced anxiety, increased ability to cope with chronic pain, and relief from bereavement. This workshop is designed to facilitate hands-on mindfulness practice in students so they can experience its benefits and have a space to relax.

Anxiety Toolbox Workshop

This workshop is a three-session seminar intended to help increase your understanding, knowledge, and skills regarding anxiety. The Anxiety Toolbox uses a cognitive behavioral framework to help you recognize and manage symptoms you may be experiencing.

Self-Care Discussion Group

This discussion group will focus on ways to strengthen self-care in the general areas of nutrition, movement, sleep, social connections, and self-talk.

Solution-Focused Workshop

This workshop teaches you how to use tools and strengths that you already have in a way that is easy to implement in your life. The strategies can help with depressed mood, anxiety, relationship conflicts, low motivation, and the overall feeling that your life is not going the way you would like.

Getting Unstuck Workshop

This workshop includes three sessions that focus on helping participants understand depressive symptoms and build skills to manage these symptoms. Getting Unstuck utilizes a cognitive behavioral perspective to help you develop a plan for addressing your depressive symptoms.

Relationships 101 Workshop

This workshop consists of three sessions that assists with increasing your understanding and knowledge about how to build and maintain healthy, effective relationships.

Anxiety Toolbox Online Workshop

Access this popular in person workshop from the comfort of your own space. You’ll receive the same information as in person.

This workshop is a three-session seminar, each session lasting 30 minutes, intended to help increase your understanding, knowledge, and skills regarding anxiety. The Anxiety Toolbox uses a cognitive behavioral framework to help you recognize and manage symptoms you may be experiencing.

Getting Unstuck Online Workshop

Access this popular in person workshop from the comfort of your own space. You’ll receive the same information as in person. This workshop includes three sessions, each lasting approximately 25 minutes, that focus on helping participants understand depressive symptoms and build skills to manage these symptoms. Getting Unstuck utilizes a cognitive behavioral perspective to help you develop a plan for addressing your depressive symptoms.