Group Counseling

row of legs sitting together, inferring a group counseling session

Many students benefit from counseling in a group format where common concerns can be explored. UHS group counseling sessions are free and do not require health insurance.

Updated 5/24/23

Summer 2023 Groups

Graduate Men’s Support*

Mondays, 1:30 - 3:00 pm (July 3 - Aug 7); Virtual |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.

Starting a New Medication for Anxiety or Depression*

First and Third Monday, 2:30-3:00 pm (June 5 - Aug 7); Virtual  | Facilitated by Lauren Gent, Psy.D.

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.

Making Meaningful Changes

Second and Fourth Monday, 2:30-3:00 pm (June 12 - Aug 14); Virtual  | Facilitated by Lauren Gent, Psy.D.

This single session psychoeducational workshop is designed to help students make changes to improve their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.  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.

Worry, Stress, and Your Health*

Every Second and Fourth Wednesday, 2:00 - 2:40 pm (June 14 - Aug 9); Virtual  | Facilitated by Robyn Shannon, Psy.D.

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*

Second and Fourth Friday, 3:30 - 4:15 pm (June 9 - Aug 11); Virtual| Facilitated by Robyn Shannon, Psy.D.

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.

Graduate Women's Support

Mondays, 5:00 - 6:30 pm (Starts June 5); Virtual |Facilitated by Linda Zaruba, Ph.D.

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.

Alcohol and Other Drug - Harm Reduction Group 

Tuesdays, 2:00 - 3:30 pm (June 8 - Aug 3); Virtual  | Facilitated by Justin Castello, PhD and Hez Wollin, 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 the group facilitator to get started.

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:

An Intro to Group Counseling

Free Group Counseling Available to UC Berkeley Students!

How to Get Started 

Option 1: Self Referral

Register on this EmailMe Form to get started!  Once you complete the brief form, the group facilitator will be in touch with you via your eTang portal to help you get started.  You can also sign up for any group via the eTang portal

Option 2: Referral from a UHS Provider 

Some groups require a referral from a UHS clinician.  To get a referral, contact your UHS provider or call (510) 642-9494 to get started.  

Group Feedback

Did you recently attend a group facilitated by one of our counselors? Share your thoughts! Complete this brief survey and give us your feedback.

What is Group Counseling and Why Join?

Group counseling is a powerful and effective way for students to share, give and receive support, learn and heal.  Many students can benefit from counseling in a group format. 

Group works! In studies comparing group psychotherapy to individual therapy, group therapy has been shown to be as effective and sometimes even more effective than individual counseling. 

Group counseling offers the opportunity for students to learn new skills, to share concerns as well as inherent wisdom in a facilitated environment with other students. Some counseling groups are focused on common concerns, such as stress, anxiety and depression, relationships or emotion management struggles. Other groups offer an opportunity for students with a shared identity to gather and connect in community.  

What are the groups?

Our mission is to empower students through accessible, culturally affirming group therapy, psycho-educational skills, and strengths-based1 support groups that promote greater levels of personal health and collective well-being for the entire UC Berkeley community.  This program strives to prioritize our shared humanity, collaborative care, and technological advances as tools for supporting a healthy campus culture.

1Strengths-Based Models in Social Work; McCashen, Wayne (2005)

Not sure if group counseling is for you?

Check out these other options:

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Topics

Counseling topic page