Groups & Skills Clinics
Group is one of the most effective tools for addressing issues commonly faced by college students. For many students, group experiences can be more helpful than individual therapy. CaPS groups and skills clinics provide a place for students to come together, share the concerns they have in common, and learn new coping skills all under the guidance of a trained mental health care professional. Most students find such groups exceed their expectations!
Spring 2024 Skills Clinics
Executive Functioning
Virtual, 3-day Skills Clinic
Thursdays, 11am - 12pm
Round 1: 02/15, 22, and 29
or
Round 2: 04/04, 18, and 25
Enrollment ends 1 week prior to the first session or when full
This skills clinic is ideal for students with concerns related to attention/concentration, time management/planning, procrastination and motivation. We will identify goals, strengths and areas for growth for each student. Those diagnosed with ADHD might benefit from the executive functioning training provided, but a diagnosis of ADHD is not required. In fact, many people who struggle with executive functioning impairment may not have ADHD. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Erin Unkefer, PhD for more information.
Tools to Manage Anxiety
In-person, 4-day Skills Clinic
Tuesdays, 3:30 - 5:00pm
02/20, 02/27, 03/12, and 03/19
Enrollment ends 1 week prior to the first session or when full
At this 4-week skills, clinic you will learn the purpose of anxiety and develop your own toolbox of skills to manage anxiety through practice. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Sara Troupe, PsyD for more information.
Spring 2024 Support Groups
Invisible Fight: Surviving and Thriving with Chronic Illness
Virtual
Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00pm
Enrollment ends 02/24 or when full
Living with a chronic illness/medical condition can be an isolating experience. This support group is an opportunity for students who experience chronic conditions (i.e. asthma, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and others) to gather in community for support and validation. It is a space to explore the challenges of navigating various aspects of our world (health care systems, academic environments, personal lives, etc.) while also caring for the self. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Erin Unkefer, PhD for more information.
Black Women's Support Group
Virtual
Fridays, 4:00-5:15pm
Graduate Students
Enrollment ends 02/24 or when full
A supportive, virtual space for students who identify as Black women, facilitated by a Black, female therapist. This unstructured group provides an opportunity to discuss the complexities of navigating spaces within and outside of CMU as a Black woman. Group members identify the weekly discussion topics depending up what is most salient for them. Students discuss and explore feelings and experiences; give and receive advice related to stress and coping, misogynoir, oppression and privilege, intersectional identities, self-esteem, relationships, colorism, family, internalized racism and other topics of interest. Meetings tend to have approximately 6 or 7 group members in attendance. It is a weekly meeting (vs. a drop-in space), so consistent attendance is expected. Everyone’s agreement to maintaining the confidentiality of other members is essential! A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Kym Jordan-Simmons, PhD for more information.
Master's Student Support Group
Virtual
Wednesdays, 2:00-3:00pm
Enrollment ends 02/24 or when full
The Master’s Student Support Group provides an opportunity for students to come together and discuss the unique experiences and challenges of being a Master’s student. Examples of these experiences include (but are by no means limited to): difficulties becoming socially involved in the short term frame of a Master’s program, navigating research, or managing time when it feels like there is none. Celebrating progress and milestones will also be an important element of this space and our hope is for students to also be able to feel encouragement and warmth from one another. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Adrijana Vukelic, MSCP for more information.
Ph.D. Student Support Group
Virtual
Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30pm
Enrollment ends 02/24 or when full
The PhD Support Group offers space to confidentially discuss the stressors and challenges of navigating relationships with advisors and peers, academic milestones, academic hazing, low motivation, struggles with self-confidence, and efforts to lead a more balanced life. Group members typically share their experiences, offer and receive support and connect with others during group meetings. The group is able to accommodate no more than one student per program/lab. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Kym Jordan Simmons, PhD for more information.
Women's Embracing Your Body Support Group
In-person
Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30pm
Enrollment ends 02/24 or when full
This support group is perfect for those who want to further their journey towards body acceptance. In this group, you will learn how to become aware of societal body ideals, how to challenge negative body talk, and how to change your relationship with your body. The group provides a safe and confidential space to receive multipleperspectives, feedback, and support from other women. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Sara Troupe, PsyD for more information.
Spring 2024 Processing Groups
Gender In Process
In-person
Thursdays, 4:00-5:30pm
Enrollment ends 02/24 or when full
Accepting oneself as outside the gender binary can be a healing experience, but one that is not without challenges. As experiences of gender euphoria replace dysphoria and negative self image, identity concerns and fears related to societal rejection may become louder. The deep discussions in process-style therapy groups provide a unique potential for growth and change. In this group, we’ll explore questions like: Who am I? Am I being received as I intend? How can I manifest the most balanced version of myself? We welcome any person invested in exploring their gender outside the constraints of the binary. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Abigail Cruz, PhD for more information.
Understanding Self & Others
In-person
Wednesdays, 5:30-7:00pm
Enrollment ends 02/24 or when full
A supportive space for students to deepen their awareness and acceptance of themselves while also having the opportunity to practice new, more satisfying ways of connecting with others. This group can help you: overcome fears and doubts in social situations, develop a better understanding of how others perceive you, identify your feelings and express yourself to others, increase assertiveness and deal with conflict effectively, and understand the connection between your interpersonal style and your emotional well-being. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Grace Wei, PhD for more information.
Family Matters
In-person
Mondays, 4:00-5:30pm
Enrollment ends 02/24 or when full
This is a supportive space to explore how your relationships with families have shaped who you are today, so that you can more intentionally grow into the person you want to be and have the type of relationships you want. This group can help you understand your role in relationships: Are you the peace-keeper? Scapegoat? Rebel? Outcast? Processing interactions in-the-moment during group provides an opportunity to learn boundaries, practice expressing yourself to others, experience supportive relationships, and navigate conflict in a healthy way. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Abigail Cruz, PhD for more information.
Spring 2024 Affinity Groups
Neurospicy: Neurodivergent Support Group
In-person
Mondays, 3:30-4:30pm
Graduate Students
Tuesdays, 12:00-1:00pm
Undergraduate Students
Enrollment ends 02/24 or when full
Neurospicy is a neurodivergent therapeutic community and support space housed within CaPS. It provides a safer space for students across the neurodiverse umbrella to discuss their experiences traversing neuro-typical and allistic landscapes, the CMU experience, family relationships, and more. In this group, you will practice relating to others, forming connections within a non-judgemental and supportive environment. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Jayme Jenkins, PhD for more information.
Restorative Series: Learning to Thrive as BIPOC Students at CMU
Virtual
Fridays,12:00-1:00pm
Enrollment ends 02/24 or when full
Being directly impacted by racism, discrimination and/or systematic oppression can feel like an added pressure that you are having to deal with on top of the stress of being a student. If you are feeling that way, know you are not alone. Join this restorative lunch series to understand how racial and ethnic discrimination impacts your mind, body, and feelings, and find ways to work through them in a supportive and healing space. A brief pre-group orientation is required. Contact Mengchun Chiang, PhD for more information.
LGBTQIA+ Support & Social Group
In-person
Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00pm
Please see our Outreach page for more information on this Connection Hour.