Group Wellness Coaching @ Columbia Health
Last reviewed: 12/5/2024
Wellness Coaching is an evidence-based practice that takes a positive approach to personal development. It centers individual strengths, values, and motivations to support behavior change(s). Columbia Health currently offers both Wellness Coaching and Group Wellness Coaching.
Group Wellness Coaching spaces are topic-specific to fit the diverse needs of Columbia University students. In each space, we bring together small groups of students with similar experiences and goals to create peer support and social connectedness. Together, the Coach and participants work together to build a non-judgmental space that supports each student’s personal development.
Due to the nature of groups, we can’t guarantee group member privacy and confidentiality. However, we strongly encourage everyone to be respectful and practice discretion while in and out of the group space.
Who facilitates Group Wellness Coaching?
All Groups are facilitated by Alice! Health Promotion staff. They are all National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coaches (NBC-HWC) or Certified Wellness & Health Coaches through Real Balance.
What makes Wellness Coaching different from therapy?
Wellness Coaching is a person-centered approach that encourages students to take charge of their health and well-being. Together with your coach, you will lay out a vision of what living well means to you and co-create a plan to help make that vision a sustainable reality. Although it’s important to acknowledge one’s lived experiences in Wellness Coaching, it's not a space to process deep emotions, trauma, or receive a mental health diagnosis.
Eligibility
Group Wellness Coaching @ Columbia Health is available to any currently enrolled Columbia University student at the Morningside/Manhattanville campuses. Each group offering may have additional eligibility criteria.
How Group Wellness Coaching Works
- Each group has a unique topic, eligibility criteria, and format.
- All groups have an enrollment period and are closed after all spots have been filled. Drop-ins are not permitted.
- Groups may vary in size and will have no more than 12 participants.
- All groups consist of 6 to 8 sessions, with varying session lengths.
- Most groups will be held virtually, but some may be in person.
See our “Current Group Offerings” for more information about groups currently available.
Curious about Group Wellness Coaching, but not sure if it's the right fit for you?
Come to Alice! Virtual Drop-in Hours and connect with a specialist who can assist you in identifying which service is the best fit for your specific needs.
Current Group Offerings
Eligibility: First-year undergraduate students in Columbia College, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Columbia General Studies, or Jewish Theological Seminary
Facilitator: Sarah Albrecht (she/her), MS, CHES, NBC-HWC
Cultivating Your College Well-being is a space where first-year undergraduate students can navigate the new challenges of college together while working towards their personal health and wellness goals. In this group, we’ll discuss topics including (but not limited to) habits, goal setting, stress management, time management, and sleep.
So, whether you’re trying to manage stress, be more active, explore new friendships, or just trying to navigate school-life balance, this group offers you the space to experiment with new ideas, talk through challenges, and engage in supportive discussion with your peers and a Wellness Coach. Students will walk away with a better understanding of what living well means to them and a skillset they can use to continue reaching their goals throughout their time at Columbia and beyond.
Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting
Dates and Times: Fridays at 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET (unless otherwise noted) on the following dates
- February 14, 2:00–3:30 p.m.
- February 28
- March 14
- March 28
- April 11
- April 25
Eligibility: Open to any undergraduate or graduate student at the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses, Teachers College, Jewish Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary
Facilitator: Rocco Siravo (they/any), MS, CWHC, CPAHA-TTS
Substance Use Prevention, Education, and Recovery (SUPER) – Nicotine Cessation is a space where students can navigate their quit journey with their peers. In this group, we’ll discuss nicotine education, quit-smoking medications, strategies for quitting, and navigating nicotine withdrawal symptoms. This group will offer opportunities to meet other Columbia students who are also on their quit journey and come together to find creative ways to quit nicotine.
By the end of this group, students will walk away having a better understanding of their relationship with nicotine, access to quit-smoking medication and continued coaching, and strategies and resources to help stay quit.
Before starting, those interested in SUPER Groups will be connected to a medical provider for an establishment of care. The use of quit-smoking medication is encouraged, but not required to participate in this group.
Dates, Times, & Location
This group will be offered twice during the spring 2025 semester. Please see below for the dates, times, and locations of each group. Students may only participate in one Nicotine Cessation group.
Group 1
Location: Virtually on Zoom
Dates and Time: Thursdays from 5:30–6:30 p.m. ET (unless otherwise noted) on the following dates
- February 13, 5:30–7 p.m.
- February 27
- March 13
- March 27
- April 10
Group 2
Location: Virtually on Zoom
Date: Tuesdays at 5:30–6:30pm ET (unless otherwise noted) on the following dates
- March 11, 5:30 – 7pm
- March 25
- April 8
- April 22
- May 6
Eligibility:
- Open to any undergraduate or graduate student returning to college after an educational pause of 4 years or more, AND
- Enrolled at the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses, Teachers College, Jewish Theological Seminary, or Union Theological Seminary
Facilitator: Wendy McLaughlin (she/her), MS, MCHES, NBC-HWC
Transition-Well focuses on developing new pathways and resources within a supportive community of others returning to college. The group uses a strength-based coaching approach grounded in positive psychology to leverage the best of self and others, experiment with new ideas and strategies, and process experiences with a focus on learning and insight. Relevant topics might include procrastination, stress/overwhelm, imposter phenomenon, and restful sleep.
Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting
Dates and Times: Thursdays at 12:00–1:30 p.m. ET on the following dates
- February 13, 12:00–1:30 p.m.
- February 27
- March 13
- March 27
- April 10
- April 24
Get Started with Group Wellness Coaching
- Complete the Group Wellness Coaching Intake Form. On the form, you’ll be asked to select the group you want to participate in.
- When you start the intake form, you'll be prompted to log-in with your UNI and password. This is to ensure confidentiality and that you're a student enrolled at the University.
- After submitting the intake form, you will be prompted to schedule a brief (15-minute) screening session with the Coach on Zoom. This screening session confirms your eligibility, provides additional details about the Group, answers questions, and connects you to additional resources, if needed. You will not be officially enrolled in the Group until you complete the screening session.
If you have concerns about sharing your UNI or additional questions, come to our Health Education drop-in hours or call our office at 212-854-5453 during business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wellness Coaching:
You meet one-on-one (individually) with a Well-being Advocate to explore, strategize, and plan out your health and well-being goals. You can schedule coaching sessions at a time that is convenient for you and there currently is no session cap.
Group Wellness Coaching:
Small groups of students who have similar experiences and goals meet with a Certified Coach. These groups foster peer support and social connectedness as each member works towards their own health and well-being goals. Groups meet for 6 to 8 sessions over a semester on a set schedule.
Students who start with Group Wellness Coaching may continue getting support in Wellness Coaching after the group sessions are complete. Students should talk to your group Coach about available options for one-on-one coaching.
Students participating in Wellness Coaching should talk with their Well-being Advocate to determine if joining a group is right for them.
Due to the limited space of individual groups, we kindly ask that students participate in only one group.
Group Wellness Coaching is free of charge and is available to any Morningside/Manhattanville student with a valid UNI. There is no payment, health fee, or insurance needed.
Group offerings vary each semester. Check back at the start of next semester to see current group offerings.