Summer 2022 Schedule
Starting a New Medication for Anxiety or Depression
Mondays, 1:45-2:30 pm (May 23 - Jul 18)
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.
Holistic Sleep Wellness: Behavioral Changes to Reduce Insomnia and Sleep Difficulties
Alternate Tuesdays, 3:45 - 4:30 pm (May 26 - Jul 19)
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.
Worry, Stress, and Your Health
Alternate Tuesdays, 3:45 - 4:30 pm (May 24 - Jul 12)
Facilitated by Robyn Papathakis 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.
Understanding Self & Others*
Wednesdays, 1:30 - 3:00 pm (Jun 1 - Jul 27)
Facilitated by Kusha Murarka, PsyD and Raquel Castellanos Miller, LCSW.
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.
Grinding All My Life: Power, Purpose, and Black Men In Sport
Mondays, 4:00 - 5:30 pm (May 16 - Jun 13)
Facilitated by Ed Garnes, MA
This 4 week group will delve into the stressors, challenges, and successes of Black men navigating the unique realities of major college athletics. Using solution-focused dialogue and skill-building activities, attendees will learn practical strategies for living their best lives.
Graduate Women's Support
Mondays, 5:00 - 6:30 pm ( Jun 13 - Aug 15)
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.
BIPOC Womxn Healing Circle*
Tuesday, 3:30 - 5:00 pm ( Jun 7 - July 26)
Facilitated by Cynthia Medina, PhDand Monica Becerra, PhD
This healing circle is designed for self-identified Black, Indigenous, Womxn of Color who want to build community through collective witnessing, empathic presence, and shared solidarity. Collectively, we will foster a supportive, affirming, confidential space where we can discuss our multiple intersecting identities, relationships, holistic wellness, spirituality, career aspirations, microaggressions and "isms", racial-trauma healing and other topics of interest. This group requires a brief pre-group meeting with the group facilitator(s) before joining.
Graduate Men’s Support*
Thursdays, 1:30 - 3:00 pm (Jun 2 - Aug 11)
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.
Alcohol and Other Drug - Harm Reduction Group
Day and Time TBD (Start date TBD)
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.
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 CAPS 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 CAPS at (510) 642-9494 to get started.
CAPS Group Feedback
Did you recently attend a group facilitated by a CAPS counselor? 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?
The CAPS Group Program's 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. The CAPS Group Program strives to prioritize our shared humanity, collaborative care, and technological advances as tools for supporting a healthy campus culture.
COVID-19 UPDATE: if you are a student who is currently residing outside of California or outside of the United States, CAPS clinicians are unable to provide you with group counseling services at this time. Please see the CAPS Off Campus Counseling Referrals webpage for more information and support getting connected with a counselor near you.
Related Resource: Social Services Group Counseling.
1Strengths-Based Models in Social Work; McCashen, Wayne (2005)
Not sure if group counseling is for you?
Check out these other options:
- Let's Talk program - informal, brief, drop-in consultation with CAPS professionals
- Virtual Mental Health Workshops & Events - drop-in and gain insight and benefit from collective healing
- Health Coaching - 45-minute sessions to explore and promote your own health and wellness (free, regardless of insurance)
