Counseling Groups Currently Available

Understanding Self and Others:
(Fridays 3:00pm - 4:30pm; Senior Street Office)
Are you feeling misunderstood? Are you having trouble creating and maintaining meaningful relationships? Do you feel isolated and/or distant from others? This support group is aimed at helping members gain insight into how to develop more satisfying relationships with others. This group offers the oportunity for participants to learn about how they experience and interact in a variety of relationships (school, partners, family, work) in a safe, supportive environment. This group is open to all male and female undergraduates and will continue throughout the academic year. The specific time and day is flexible around members' schedules. Leader: Marta Aizenman, Ph.D. Call 732-932-7884 for information.

Understanding Self and Others:
(Wednesdays 3:00pm - 4:30pm at Federation Hall; Screenings 2:30 - 3:00) One way to understand more about ourselves is to look at the ways that we interact with others around us. As we look at the relationships that are powerful in our lives…friends, family members, teachers, romantic partners, mentors, employers…
we will consider how those relationships offer us “insider information” about ourselves. Time limited participation will be possible. Group members will decide length of initial commitment after second session. Six to eight week initial length would be likely. Members will be able to remain in group indefinitely, committing for sequential periods of participation, if it is a fit for their needs. Questions?? Dr. Tricia Woodin-Weaver: call at 732-932-9150 (Nichol Avenue office)

Eating Issues Therapy Support Group:
(Time to be arranged to fit participants' schedules)
Description: The Eating Issues group is a therapy support group focused on facilitating therapeutic change within students by creating a safe place where they can discover and understand their “triggers” and make informed changes within a supportive environment. The approach of the treatment is holistic in nature—addressing the body, mind, and spirit of a student—and seeks to assist students in reconnecting with their body and emotions.

The group(s) will be facilitated by senior staff psychologists, Dr. Mary Ann Jensen, Dr. Marta Aizenman and Dr. Jim Mandala. Potential members will have a brief screening with one of the group leaders in order to assess for the appropriateness of the group for the interested student. If it is decided that the group is not appropriate for a student, then alternative options for treatment are discussed and facilitated.

The time and date of the group meetings change each semester. For more information, interested students may contact Counseling and Psychological Services at 732-932-9070 or 732-932-7884.

Grief and Loss Group:
(Mondays 10:00am - 11:30am; rutgers Student Center, CAC)
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is offering a support group for those grieving a recent loss. This group is designed to help individuals cope with their grief in a way that makes sense in their life, given their personalities, religious and cultural beliefs and family system. We recognize that everyone reacts to grief in a different way and individuals may exerience varied changes in their social, physiological and emotional responses to their environment. The group is appropriate for anyone who can benefit from support from being with others in a similar situation in a safe and comforting environment. Group leaders: Laurane McGlynn and Joe Yazvac. Please contact Counseling and Psychological Services at 17 Senior Street, at 732-932-7884, for further information or to make referrals.

Graduate Student Dissertation Support Group:
(Mondays 3:30pm - 5:00pm; Screenings Mondays 3:00pm - 3:30pm)
A group for students in some stage of the dissertation process, from beginning a proposal to preparing for the oral examination and getting the degree. Provides support and problem-solving. Leader: Mark J. Forest, Ph.D. Call 732-932-3966 for more information or to arrange a screening interview.

Women's Graduate Student Group:
(Tuesdays 3:00pm - 5:30pm; RSC Rm 404)
This group is for Rutgers female graduate students is focused on developing strategies for improving self-awareness and interpersonal effectiveness, managing stress and learning how to find balance while pursuing a graduate degree. The goal is to promote increased self-esteem, reduce social isolation and effective management of life issues. Lead by Rebecca Warrington - Kretch, LCSW. Call 732-932-7884 for more information.

Peer Support Group:
(Wednesdays 1:00pm - 2:30pm and Fridays 3:30pm - 5:00pm)
This group is for undergraduates males and females to discuss academic, social and personal life at Rutgers. The goal is to promote increased self-esteem, reduce social isolation and effective management of life issues. Lead by Rebecca Warrington - Kretch, LCSW. Call 732-932-7884.

A four week series of workshops that teach coping skills for handling stress & managing your moods.

Week 1: Manage your moods: identify early warning signs of depression & anxiety.

Week 2 Calm the chaos: learn relaxation techniques;

Week 3: Challenge your thoughts: don't let your negative thinking rule.

Week 4: Embrace Wellness: learn to develop a healthy lifestyle.

No registration needed. You can attend one or all four workshops.

Survivors of Sexual Violence Group:
(Tuesdays, Time to be arranged to fit participants' schedules)
Are you a survivor of sexual violence? Do you feel alone? A safe, confidential, and supportive environment will be provided for women who have experienced sexual violence so that they may better understand and recover from their experiences. If you are interested in joining this group or would like more information, contact Laura Luciano at 732-932-1181 or lluciano@rci.rutgers.edu at the Department of Sexual Assault Services/Crime Victim Assistance or Christine Adkins-Hutchison at 732-932-7884 at CAPS at 17 Senior Street.

Women's Group for Trauma Survivors :
(Mondays 3:00pm - 4:30pm; Federation Hall, Douglass Campus)
Group therapy can be a powerful means of healing the impact of trauma, as the disruption of social relationships is one of the most enduring effects of trauma. This is a process group for women who have experienced trauma in their life. The group’s purpose is to provide a safe environment for members to develop connections, to establish and maintain trust in one another and to promote mutual healing and growth. Leaders: Diane Simmons, Ph.D. and Siobhan Gibbons, Ed.D. Call 732-932-9070 for more information or to arrange a screening interview.

Meditation Workshop:
(Wednesdays 12:00noon - 1:00pm; Douglass Campus Center, Rm C, 2nd Fl)
Open to Students, faculty and staff. Take a break from a stressful day and refresh yourself with an hour of relaxation and meditation. Walk-ins are welcome. Leader: Siobhan Gibbons, Ed.D.. Call 732-932-9150 for more information. Workshop runs from Sep 24th through Dec 17th.

Sexual Orientation (LGBTQ) Support Group:
(Time to be arranged to fit participants' schedules)
This is a support/rap group that will focus on issues of sexual orientation. Issues related to coming out, dealing with family and friends, intimacy, and managing work relationships, etc. will be explored. People at various stages of the "coming out" process are welcome. Open to both male and female, undergraduate and graduate student members. The emphasis is on support and exploration of GLBT issues impacting personal and interpersonal functioning. Group is short-term with an option to continue into the next semester. Leader: Mark Forest, Ph.D. will supervise two doctoral students from GSAPP who will run the group. Call GSAPP directly at 732-445-6111 for information or to arrange a screening interview.

Out of the Darkness and Into the Light:Overcoming Depression:
(TBA in office at Tillett Hall, Livingston Campus)
Clinical depression is more than just feeling sad. In a small, supportive group of people who really understand this, we will meet weekly and use both traditional and cognitive therapies against depression. The approach will be comprehensive and personalized; periodic individual sessions will monitor progress, meetings can be set up with significant others (family, friends, roommate, romantic partner), light therapy will be offered for those with seasonal depression. Since current research suggests that moderate exercise is helpful to those with depression, we will offer sessions with a physical trainer. Additional consultations with a nutritionist can be arranged to look at other lifestyle factors that might contribute to mood. Leader: James Mandala, Ph.D. For information or to arrange a screening interview call 732-445-4140.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Group:
(Mondays 2:00pm - 3:30pm; College Ave Student Center Rm 404)
Be emotionally calmer. Have clear and creative thoughts.
Take responsibility for your well-being. Develop your own inner stress management.
Learn pain management and anxiety reduction skills. Cultivate kindness and compassion of yourself and others. Leader: Laurane McGlynn Call 732-932-3966 for more information or to arrange a screening interview.

First Year Transition to College Group:
(Tuesdays 10:30am - 12:00pm; Tillett Hall, Livingston campus)
Support group for 1st year students who are having difficulties transitioning to college. Aimed at 1st year students who are experiencing one or more of the following: feeling homesick; feeling uncomfortable in dorm or large school environment; or symptoms of anxiety or depression related to the transition to college.. Leaders: Audra Yacka and Tricia Woodin-Weaver. Call 732-445-4140 or 732-932-9150 for more information or to arrange a screening interview.

Women of Color (Undergraduate):
(Time to be arranged to fit participants' schedules)
For any woman who identifies herself as a woman of color and is an undergraduate at the University. Relationship issues, general social issues, family issues, academic and other college student concerns. Group will provide the opportunity for discussion of these and various other issues. How issues are impacted by identification as a woman of color is also discussed. Leader: Christine Adkins-Hutchison, Psy.D. For information or to arrange a screening interview, call 732-932-7884.

Women of Color (Graduate Students) - Sister Circle):
(Time to be arranged to fit participants' schedules)
For any woman who is enrolled as a Graduate Student at the University and identifies herself as a Woman of Color. There are issues and experiences that are unique to women of color pursuing advanced degrees among the various departments across campus. Come meet others who share these experiences and learn that you are not alone. Leader: Christine Adkins-Hutchison, Psy.D. For information or to arrange a screening interview, call 732-932-7884.

International Graduate Student Support Group :
(Fridays, 4:30 - 5:45pm, Busch Student Center)
Counseling and Psychological Services is offering a support and discussion group for international Rutgers graduate students as they adjust to living, working, and studying in the United States. We welcome graduate students of any country of origin/nationality, program, and level of graduate study. This group will provide students a place to seek or provide support and advice to others on any number of topics, including: maintaining long-distance relationshps, communicating effectively with faculty and peers, loneliness and social isolation, adjusting to the American culture, and coping with the stresses of graduate school. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact CaPS at: 732-932-7884

Facilitator: Dr. Michelle Deering, C.a.P.S. (Counseling & Psychological Services) Contact Information: 732-932-3966 or 732-9327884

The focus of the group is to provide a safe environment that assists students in connecting with, learning from, supporting and gathering support from other students-of-faith who are seeking to achieve a balance between their spiritual and collegiate/social lives at Rutgers. The group will also address issues common to college students such as family and interpersonal relationships, stress/anxiety, and depression from a spiritually-informed worldview. The group facilitator, Dr. Deering, is a NJ-licensed psychologist with numerous years of experience helping students deal with issues of faith, transitions, and college adjustment. She has been at Rutgers since 1995 and has also worked in Residence Life and Career Services. Interested students can contact and/or referrals can be made to Dr. Deering @ 732-932-3966 or 732-932-7884.

Rutgers, the State University is an equal opportunity affirmative action institution.