Group Counseling

Updated 10/4/22

Mondays

Starting a New Medication for Anxiety or Depression

Monthly: Every First Monday, 2:00-2:40 pm (Aug 29 - Dec 9)

Facilitated by Raghav Suri, PsyD

This single session psycho-educational group covers the basic facts of common anxiety and depression medications, and factors that increase the likelihood of effectiveness. The group discusses tips and tricks for effective communication with your prescriber for ongoing medication management.

Worry, Stress, and Your Health

Monthly: Every Second Monday, 2:00 - 2:40 pm (Aug 29 - Dec 9) 

Facilitated by Raghav Suri, 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.

Holistic Sleep Wellness: Behavioral Changes to Reduce Insomnia and Sleep Difficulties

Monthly: Every Third Monday, 2:00 - 2:40 pm (Aug 29 - Dec 9)

Facilitated by Raghav Suri, 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.

Black Womxn's Sister Circle

Mondays, 3:00 - 4:30 pm (Begins Oct 3) 

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. 

Graduate Women's Support

Mondays, 5:00 - 6:30 pm 

Facilitated by Linda Zaruba, PhD.

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.

Tuesdays

Survivors Support Group

Tuesday, 1:15 - 2:30 pm (Oct 4 - Dec 6)

Facilitated by Tiffany 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.

Alcohol and Other Drug - Harm Reduction Group 

Tuesday, 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Facilitated by Hez Wollin, LCSW  and KG Gehrich, MSW

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 the group facilitator to get started.

BIMOC Black, Indigenous, Men of Color Healing Circle 

Tuesdays, 3:15 - 4:45 pm (Sep 6 - Dec 6)

Facilitated by Adisa Anderson, PhD

This healing circle is offered for self-identified Black, Indigenous, Men of Color who want to build community through shared solidarity, discuss ways to be rooted in resilience, and explore ways to be centered in mind, body, and spirit. We discuss the complexities of navigating life at UC Berkeley including our intersecting identities, microaggressions and “isms”, academics, career, family, relationships, and maintaining holistic well-being. This group requires a brief pre-group meeting with the group facilitator(s) before joining.

Mindfulness Meditation Drop-In Group

Tuesday, 4:15 - 5:00 pm 

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.

LGBTQIA+ Support Group

Tuesday, 5:00 - 6:30 pm, (Sep 27 - Dec 6)

Facilitated Denise Goitia, LCSW and Kehan Shen, MS

This is a virtual drop-in group for students who identify as LGBTQIA+. We welcome 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 exploring diverse gender expression and sexuality, intersectional and multicultural identities, coming “out,” and living “out” on campus, navigating family of origin dynamics, relationships, dating, building communities of support, non-monogamy, and stress management.

Wednesdays

Understanding Self & Others*

Wednesdays, 1:30 - 3:00 pm (Oct 5 - Dec 7) 

Facilitated by Kusha Murarka, PsyD and Stella Ko, PhD

This 10-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.

Wellness in Action Drop-In

Wednesday, 3:15 - 4:45 pm (Oct 6 - Oct 26); Zoom

Facilitated by Tegan Adams, PsyD and Brad Cameron

These 4-week skill building groups are for students experiencing stress, mild to moderate anxiety, panic, and depression. Participants will learn mental health and general wellness strategies to build personal awareness, develop coping strategies, and integrate wellness techniques into their daily routines. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in discussion, as well as to give and receive support. Topics include: self-care (e.g.: sleep, exercise, nutrition), thinking patterns and mood, mindfulness, resilience, and fostering positive connections.

Heartspeak: Undocumented Student Program (USP) Support Group

Wednesday, 4:15 - 5:00 pm (Begins Sept 14); Chavez 180 

Facilitated by Diana Peña, PhD

This weekly support space for undocumented students at Cal will center social connection as a foundation for wellness, racial-trauma healing, and resilience.  This group requires a brief pre-group meeting with the group facilitator(s) before joining.  You may directly schedule your pre-screen appointment online via: wejoinin.com/USPmentalhealth.

Thursdays

Graduate Men’s Support*

Thursdays, 1:30 - 3:00 pm (Sep 1 - Dec 15)

Facilitated by Richard Chiovarelli, PsyD.

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. 

Wellness in Action Drop-In

Thursday, 2:15 - 3:45 pm (Oct 7 - Oct 27); Anna Head Room 210

Facilitated by Raquel Castellanos Miller, LCSW and Abigail Boggs-Moura

These 4-week skill building groups are for students experiencing stress, mild to moderate anxiety, panic, and depression. Participants will learn mental health and general wellness strategies to build personal awareness, develop coping strategies, and integrate wellness techniques into their daily routines. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in discussion, as well as to give and receive support. Topics include: self-care (e.g.: sleep, exercise, nutrition), thinking patterns and mood, mindfulness, resilience, and fostering positive connections.

Wellness in Action Drop-In

Thursday, 2:15 - 3:45 pm (Nov 3 - 12/1); Zoom

Facilitated by Raquel Castellanos Miller, LCSW and Ahuti Goyal

These 4-week skill building groups are for students experiencing stress, mild to moderate anxiety, panic, and depression. Participants will learn mental health and general wellness strategies to build personal awareness, develop coping strategies, and integrate wellness techniques into their daily routines. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in discussion, as well as to give and receive support. Topics include: self-care (e.g.: sleep, exercise, nutrition), thinking patterns and mood, mindfulness, resilience, and fostering positive connections.

Gender Support Group

Thursday, 2:15 - 3:45 pm; (Oct 6 - Dec 8)

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. 

Pathways to Health and Healing

Thursday, 2:30 - 4:00 pm (Begin Sep 22)

Facilitated by Erin O'Connor, LCSW and Shanta Jambotkar, LCSW

This weekly drop-in group is for students who navigate the impacts of physical injuries and/or newly diagnosed or chronic health conditions. Welcoming of all social and cultural identities, this space will build a community for coping and thriving. Themes will include the powerful connection between mind and body; how past body pain, negative thoughts, and challenging emotions can resurface with present stressors; and the interplay between healing and wellbeing. Members will exchange and co-create strategies that promote healing in their daily lives. If interested, please contact Social Services at (510) 642-6074 to connect with a group facilitator.

BIPOC Queer Womxn's Support Circle

Thursday, 3:15 - 4:45 pm (Oct 6 - Dec 1)

Facilitated by Angelica Yi, MSW and Bini Sebastian, M.Ed.

This support circle is designed for students who identify as Black, Indigenous, or Womxn of Color who love womxn*, regardless of other identities or labels. Together we will build a supportive, affirming, confidential community where we can discuss our multiple intersecting identities, coming out, self-esteem, relationships, gender identity, spirituality, holistic wellness, and other topics of interest. All BIPOC students ""who experience life through the lens of womxn in body, spirit, identity--past, present, future, and fluid are welcome"" (GenEq).

This group requires a brief pre-group meeting with the group facilitator(s) before joining.

Asian American Community. Voice.

Thursday, 4:15 - 5:45 pm 

Facilitated by Junichi Shiamoka, PsyD and/or Jeff Lee, LCSW

We are a support and discussion space for Asian/Asian American (South Asian, Southeast Asian, Pilipinx, East Asian) and multi-racial/ethnic students.  It's a drop-in, informal support space, where we discuss topics relevant to our community, ranging from our favorite Asian food, uncertainties around pandemic life, being queer while Asian, navigating family expectations, speaking up against xenophobia and racial injustice, celebrating the diversity among Asian communities, and to personal/emotional wellbeing, and more.  Come for the topics you are interested in, or join weekly for our conversation. Find the calendar of "suggested topics" here: bit.ly/2Rkq4XX

Fridays

Alcohol and Other Drug - Harm Reduction Group 

Friday, 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Facilitated by Robin Walley, LCSW and and Jennifer Tai, MSW

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 the group facilitator to get started.