Updated 9/28/23
Fall 2023 Groups
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday
Monday
Beyond Pain: Empowering Wellness
Monday: Biweekly, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM (Aug 21 - Dec 18); Zoom/Virtual |Facilitated by Alexander Bennett, PhD
This workshop is designed to help students understand the causes of chronic pain, identify signs and symptoms of chronic pain, and introduces helpful treatment strategies to manage their pain symptoms and improve overall functioning.
Building Healthy Relationships
Monday: Weekly, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (Oct 9 - Nov 13); 3220 Tang |Facilitated by Emily El-Oqlah, PhD and Karen Lee Tsugawa, LMFT
This 6-week group is designed to help students build skills to develop healthy relationships with others, from potential romantic partners to platonic relationships with friends. Topics include recognizing our relational patterns, values, boundaries, and communication styles. We will also discuss how our cultural and familial backgrounds influence our relationships with others. The group is open to undergraduate and graduate students.
Group Roster is Full for Fall 2023.
Grad Women's Support
Monday: Weekly, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM (Sep 11 - Dec 11); Zoom/Virtual | Facilitated by Linda Zaruba
This support group is offered for students who self-identify as female graduate students who wish to come together to share the challenges and struggles of being a grad student, discuss ways to balance school & personal life, discuss relationships with advisors and peers, increase self-confidence, and develop relationships with other women in grad school.
Group Roster is Full for Fall 2023.
Managing Emotions (10 weeks)
Monday: Weekly, 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM (Sep 25 - Nov 27); 2024 Tang | Facilitated by Molly Sullivan, LCSW and Mar Chung, PhD
This group, based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), is designed to teach students skills to manage and regulate emotions more effectively. In a structured and supportive environment, participants will learn skills to modify behavioral, emotional, and thinking patterns associated with problems in living that cause misery and distress. Participants MUST be in concurrent individual therapy to participate in this group. This group requires a brief pre-group meeting with the group facilitator(s) before joining.
Healing Through Grief and Loss
Monday: Weekly, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM (Oct 2 - Nov 20); 210 Anna Head |Facilitated by Nancy Tavolacci-Arista, LCSW and Nguyen Nyuyen, MA
In this 8-week process group, we will explore some of the teachings of grief, share how we maintain a relational connection to our ancestors and loved ones beyond death, and support one another in coping with the strong emotions that accompany us on our healing journey. This is for UC Berkeley students only who have experienced a loss 3 months ago or more. For more recent losses, please call and make an appointment with a counselor for individual support - (510) 642-9494.
To sign up for this group, please call (510) 642-9494, speak with a counselor directly, or register yourself at bit.ly/uhsgroups. Nancy will reach out to you directly for a brief pre-group meeting.
Group Roster is Full for Fall 2023.
Tuesday
Alcohol and Other Drug Harm Reduction Group
Tuesday: Weekly, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM (Sep 19 - Dec 5); Zoom/Virtual |Facilitated by Justin Castello, PhD
This weekly group acknowledges that different goals work for different people. With the support of the group, you can work on finding the right balance for yourself, in order to get what you want from your substance use choices, without the things you don’t want.
Please call Social Services at (510) 642-6074, to set up an intake with an AOD counselor to get started.
Black Womxn's Sister Circle
Tuesday: Weekly, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM (Sep 12 - Nov 28); 210 Anna Head |Facilitated by Jaiza Jones, LCSW
The weekly group is designed to provide a supportive space for undergraduate and graduate self-identified Black Womxn to explore the challenges of navigating life at UC Berkeley. It provides a weekly opportunity to engage in cultivating self-care and wellness practices, to build meaningful connections, and create a mutually supportive and inclusive community. All Black students "who experience life through the lens of womxn in body, spirit, identity--past, present, future, and fluid" (GenEq) are welcome.
Heartspeak: USP Support Group
Tuesday: Weekly, 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM (Sep 19 - Dec 5); 180 Chavez | Facilitated by Diana Peña, Ph.D.
Are you undocumented and seeking a consistent community space with other undocumented students? Looking for a way to talk about your struggles and hear how others are coping? Interested in learning meditation and other tools to feel less overwhelmed? Then HeartSpeak support group is for you!
Go to www.wejoinin.com/USPmentalhealth for more information.
Intro to the Practice of Mindfulness and Meditation
Tuesday: Weekly, 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM (Sep 12 - Oct 10); Zoom/Virtual | Facilitated by Bill Berkhout, PsyD
Meditation is an intentional practice, where inward focus can increase calmness, concentration, and emotional balance. Mindfulness is all about being aware, noticing and paying attention to thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The benefits of practicing mindfulness and meditation are many; including stress reduction, decreased rumination, reduced emotional reactivity, enhanced focus, increased cognitive flexibility, and improved relationship satisfaction. Nevertheless, it can be difficult to know where to start and to establish a foundation for consistent practice.
This group provides a five-session experiential introduction to mindfulness and meditation, providing a foundation for ongoing practice thereafter.
Intro to the Practice of Mindfulness and Meditation
Tuesday: Weekly, 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM (Oct 16 - Nov 28); Zoom/Virtual |Facilitated by Bill Berkhout, PsyD
Meditation is an intentional practice, where inward focus can increase calmness, concentration, and emotional balance. Mindfulness is all about being aware, noticing and paying attention to thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The benefits of practicing mindfulness and meditation are many; including stress reduction, decreased rumination, reduced emotional reactivity, enhanced focus, increased cognitive flexibility, and improved relationship satisfaction. Nevertheless, it can be difficult to know where to start and to establish a foundation for consistent practice. This group provides a five-session experiential introduction to mindfulness and meditation, providing a foundation for ongoing practice thereafter. (Please note this group meets weekly except on October 31 and November 21.)
LGBTQIA+ Support Group
Tuesday: Weekly, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM (Sep 26 - Dec 5); GenEq | Facilitated by Denise Goitia, LCSW and Lindsay Rose Felten, ASW
This in-person group is for students who identify as LGBTQIA+, as well as those who are questioning and exploring. Join us in co-creating a supportive and affirming space to explore themes that promote wellness and connection. Topics will include but are not limited to: coming out, identity development, family of origin, chosen family, relationships, dating, healthcare, intersectional and multicultural identities, living out on campus, building communities of support, non-monogamy, and stress management.
This group requires a brief pre-group meeting with a group facilitator before joining. We accept new group members on an ongoing basis, and students may join after the start date. If interested, email dgoitia@berkeley.edu or call us at (510) 642-9494.
Making Meaningful Changes
Tuesday: Second and Fourth Tuesday, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM (Sep 11 - Aug 29); Zoom/Virtual | Facilitated by Lauren Gent, PsyD
This single-session psychoeducational workshop is designed to help students make changes to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The workshop is designed to help identify small, sustainable, and meaningful changes to daily habits in a non-judgemental environment. Topics include values identification, motivation strategies, and recovering from a slip.
Mindfulness Meditation Drop-In Group (10 week)
Tuesday: Weekly, 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM (Sep 11 - Nov 14); Zoom/Virtual | Facilitated by Kin Ming Chan, PhD
Meditation has a lot of health benefits; such as reducing stress, improving relaxation, enhancing sense of well-being and alleviating health symptoms. This drop-in group is set up for students who want to try meditation and explore some techniques to do it. There is no need for commitment to come to all sessions. Students who had experiences doing meditation are also welcome to join to meditate together as well.
Starting a new medication for anxiety or depression
Tuesday: First and Third Tuesdays, 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM (Sep 5 - Aug 29); Zoom/Virtual |Facilitated by Lauren Gent, PsyD
This single-session psychoeducational workshop covers the basic facts of common anxiety and depression medications and factors that increase the likelihood of effectiveness. The workshop discusses tips and tricks for effective communication with your prescriber for ongoing medication management
Wednesday
From Self-Criticism to Kindness (6 weeks)
Wednesday: Weekly, 10:15 AM - 11:45 AM (Oct 3 - Nov 8); Virtual | Facilitated by Amy Honigman, PhD
This group will provide a space for students to learn skills for building self-compassion and kindness, as well as opportunities to offer support to one another. Topics will include: fostering an attitude of kindness towards self & others, building self-esteem through self-acceptance, and using mindfulness/mediation to facilitate resilience & self-confidence.
Holistic Sleep Wellness: Behavioral Changes to Reduce Insomnia and Sleep Difficulties
Wednesday: First and Third Wednesday, 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM (Sep 5 - Dec 6); Zoom/Virtual | Facilitated by Robyn Papathakis Shannon, PsyD
This single session psycho-educational group is based on the concept of holistic sleep wellness. It focuses on increasing your understanding of the mechanisms and habits that impact your sleep, in order to help you identify and experiment with behaviors that can improve your sleep and work for you, your body, and your life.
Managing Emotions (4 weeks)
Wednesday: Weekly, 1:15 PM - 2:45 PM (Oct 24 - Nov 15); Zoom/Virtual |Facilitated by Tiffany Lin, LCSW
This 4-week group is designed to introduce students to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) principles and skills. Participants will learn mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills to manage emotions more effectively. We STRONGLY recommend that participants are in concurrent individual therapy for the duration of the group.
Understanding Self & Others (9 weeks)
Wednesday: Weekly, 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM (Sep 27 - Nov 15); Zoom/Virtual |Facilitated by Tegan Adams, PsyD and Himadhari Sharma, MA
This 9-week therapy group is designed to foster greater self-awareness and more satisfying relationships by exploring how your background and upbringing affect your relationships, becoming more aware of your thoughts and feelings, and exploring your “here-and-now” feelings with other group members. This group requires a brief pre-group meeting with the group facilitator(s) before joining.
Worry, Stress, and Your Health
Wednesday: Second and Fourth Wednesday, 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM (Sep 5 - Dec 13); Zoom/Virtual | Facilitated by Robyn Papathakis Shannon, PsyD
This single-session group is focused on increasing your understanding of (1) the body's physical sensations and responses, (2) the different ways that persistent worry about our health may impact our stress response and behaviors, and (3) strategies for coping with thoughts, behaviors, and emotions related to health, pain, and physiological sensations.
Thursday
Gender Support Group
Thursday: Weekly, 1:15 PM - 2:45 PM (Oct 04 - Nov 30); Zoom/Virtual | Facilitated by Hez Wollin, LCSW
This group is for transgender, nonbinary, gender expansive, agender, gender diverse, genderqueer, gender nonconforming students to come together in a safe, collaborative, nonjudgemental space. Together we will discuss a variety of topics related to being on the gender spectrum including gender identity, intersectional identities, different aspects of transition, coming out and being out at Cal, navigating family of origin considerations, community resources, academic stress, relationships, sexuality, and resilience and joy. Group requires a pre-group meeting with facilitators before joining.
Survivor Support Group
Thursday: Weekly, 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM (Sep 28 - Nov 30); Zoom/Virtual | Facilitated by Tiffany Hsiang Lin, LCSW
This group provides a supportive environment for survivors of sexual assault to gather together and build community. Participants will learn to better understand their present lives in the context of their experiences while learning and practicing skills in grounding and mindfulness. Join this support group of survivors to reclaim a sense of personal power and well-being, as we know healing is amplified by connection. This group is open to survivors of all genders. This group requires a pre-group meeting with the group facilitator before joining. Please call Social Services at (510) 642-6074, to set up an intake with the group facilitator to get started.
Friday
Alcohol and Other Drug Harm Reduction Group
Friday: Weekly, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (Sep 21 - Dec 8); Zoom/Virtual | Facilitated by Robin Walley, LCSW
This weekly group acknowledges that different goals work for different people. With the support of the group, you can work on finding the right balance for yourself, in order to get what you want from your substance use choices, without the things you don’t want.
Please call Social Services at 510-642-6074, to set up an intake with an AOD counselor to get started.
Berkeley Hope Scholars Support Group
Friday: Bi-Monthly (2x/month), 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (Sep 28 - May 2); Zoom/Virtual |Facilitated by Nancy Tavolacci-Arista, LCSW
Grad Men's Support
Friday: Weekly, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (Sep 28 - Dec 8); Zoom/Virtual | Facilitated by Richard Chiovarelli, Psy.D.
This weekly support group is offered for students who self-identify as male grad students who wish to come together to discuss the challenges of being a grad student, ways to deal with the hurdles & hassles of school, find ways to connect with others, discuss relationship issues, and consider ways to manage stress & live a balanced life as a Berkeley student.
Self-Paced Recorded Workshops
Can't make it to one of our workshops or looking to develop a skill at your own pace? Watch our available workshops on Improving Relationships Through Effective Communications developed by our Behavioral Health Providors.
Workshops Available Include:
