Support Groups

Fridays
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
1/31 - end date TBD

Facilitator: Debra Domenech, Ph.D.

The death of a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences in life. This is further complicated during a pandemic and times of transition. If you would like a space where you can share with peers who are also going through this, you are invited to attend. This will be a weekly space for graduate and undergraduate students to meet and support each other.

To join, email Dr. Debra Domenech at [email protected].

Fridays
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
2/7 - 3/14

Facilitator: Eduvigis Cruz-Arrieta, Ph.D.

If you...feel guilty when you are eating or reject food in any way, feel like food controls your life, reach out for food to cope with unpleasant feelings, feel like your eating habits sometimes get out of control, are preoccupied with your physical appearance, would like to Make Peace with Food. This skill-building space to develop a more peaceful relationship with food and your body is for you. Learn about factors that impact how, when and what you eat, and coping strategies to reduce reliance on food behaviors when facing difficult feelings.

To join, email Dr. Eduvigis Cruz-Arrieta at [email protected]

Tuesdays
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
2/18 - 4/15

Facilitator: Marcia Stern, Ph.D.

This group is for female-identified students who have experienced a traumatic event. Exposure to trauma can lead to problems identifying and managing difficult emotions and to problematic relationship patterns.  This seven-week group will provide skills designed to aid in recovering from the impact of these experiences.  Specifics of traumatic experiences will not be discussed.

To join, email Dr. Marcia Stern at [email protected] with "Coping with Trauma" in the subject line.

Fridays
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
2/28 - 4/18

Facilitator: Mercedes J. Okosi, Psy.D.

This group is for students who are adult children of immigrant parents and who have experienced trauma. Often, it can be difficult to grow up in the United States and have parents from another country with a different understanding of mental health, and their own values and stigmas. Trauma may also occur across generations of a family. Ideally, students in this group will also have had some experience in individual therapy. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome.

The group will provide a safer space for adult children of immigrants to process their own trauma histories and feel supported by others who may relate to them. Students should be prepared to discuss how their trauma and responses to their trauma have been impacted by family dynamics. The group will focus on psychoeducation about trauma and the impacts of intergenerational trauma, coping skills, tools for better communication, and exploration of cultural norms and stigmas.

To join, email Mercedes J. Okosi at [email protected].

Wednesdays
3:00 - 4:15 p.m.
1/29 - 4/30

Facilitator: David Hittson, Ph.D.

Getting Things Done is a group that focuses on helping students to improve their productivity and their relationship to work/working. The group employs a mixed approach of psychoeducation, skill building, accountability and process therapy to tackle problems of procrastination and work avoidance. Members are expected to attend weekly and to engage with a process of trying new strategies and processing their experiences with other group members. Group participation will require a brief screening appointment and interested students are asked to reach out to the facilitator to be screened if they are interested.

To join, email Dr. David Hittson at [email protected].

Mondays
2:00 - 3:15 p.m.
3/10 - 5/5

Facilitators: Sherina Persaud, Ph.D. and Qurat-ul-ain Gulamhussein, Ph.D.

This is a group for students who are ready to process their experience of sexual abuse. The group leaders will meet with interested students to discuss fit for the group and answer any questions prior to joining. Ideally a student in this group will have some previous experience in therapy and/or currently be in individual therapy.

The group will provide a safe space for survivors of sexual abuse to heal and support one another. This is a group for individuals who identify as female or non-binary. In this group, we will discuss the ways in which trauma has impacted the body and mind, and learn coping skills for feeling safe and connected. Group members will share their experiences and bear witness to one another. We will process how to incorporate past experiences of trauma with hope, empowerment, and making meaning for the present and future. The group incorporates elements of art therapy, movement, and processing through discussion.

To join, email Dr. Sherina Persaud at [email protected] or Dr. Qurat-ul-ain Gulamhussein at [email protected].

Wednesdays
3:15 - 4:30 p.m.
2/12 - 4/30

Facilitator: Marina Mazur, Ph.D.

Tolerating Distress and Managing Emotions is an experiential psychotherapy group that is designed to help individuals manage and endure emotional distress without resorting to harmful behaviors. Group participants will learn and practice skills to tolerate and cope with difficult emotions. Key components of the group will include mindfulness techniques, practical tools to handle acute distress, and reality acceptance skills.

To join, email Dr. Marina Mazur at [email protected].

Fridays
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
1/24 - 2/7

Location: Virtual (Zoom)

Facilitators: Andrew Colitz, Ph.D. and Addette Williams, Ph.D.

This supportive workshop is designed to help students impacted by the Los Angeles fires navigate the emotional and psychological challenges they face during this difficult time. Students will have a confidential space to discuss the devastating effects of the fire, particularly the loss of homes, memories, or community and normalizing a variety of emotions including sadness, anger, fear, confusion, or numbness. We will discuss practical coping tools to better support yourself as you adjust back to Columbia. Participants will also have opportunities to share their experiences and ask questions in a supportive, non-judgmental space. You can join for any or all of the sessions.

To join, email Dr. Andrew Colitz at [email protected] or Dr. Addette Williams at [email protected] with “Supportive Space” in the title for the Zoom link.

In-person
Mondays
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5

Facilitator: Yaniv Phillips, Ph.D. and Marina Mazur, Ph.D.

Have a strong foundation for your committed relationship, but want to make it even better? This might be the workshop for you. This hands-on, sequential 4-session workshop will provide practical tools for couples who wish to strengthen their relationship.

Topics include:

1. Understanding Relational Expectations and Beliefs
2. Nurturing the Positives in the Relationship
3. Improving Problem-Solving Ability
4. Communication Skills.

The workshop is open to all Columbia students and their partners.

To join, email Dr. Yaniv Phillips at [email protected] and Dr. Marina Mazur at [email protected].

Tuesdays (2/11, 2/24, 3/4, 3/11)
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
2/11 - 3/11

Location: Virtual

Facilitator: Arielle Stein, Psy.D.

The Getting Things Done (GTD) workshop is a 4-week series that focuses on improving your ability to manage your time. The workshop will explore the barriers to managing your time effectively and include techniques to organize your schedule.

In addition, it will include tools to help prevent procrastination, and ways to manage your academic stress. The aim of the workshop is to improve your approach to completing assignments and organizing your time.

To join, email Dr. Arielle Stein at [email protected] with “Getting Things Done” in the subject.

Fridays (except 3/7 and 3/21)
1:15 - 2:30 p.m.
2/21 - 4/25

Location: In-person

Facilitator: Manali Roy, Ph.D.

After we experience a traumatic event or a series of significant adverse life events, our views of ourselves, others, and the world around us tend to shift and can be excessively and unfavorably influenced by the difficult life experience(s). In this 8 week, in- person workshop, we will focus on identifying, exploring, and getting unstuck from these unhelpful beliefs that originated in the traumatic past experiences, that affect the way we think, interpret, feel, and act in our day to day life. We will explore themes of safety, trust, control, esteem, and intimacy. We will discuss and practice coping strategies and exercises that are based in gently challenging unhelpful thoughts, exploring alternative explanations, noticing related feelings, cultivating self-compassion, and
mindfulness practices.

To join, email Dr. Manali Roy at [email protected].

Mondays
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
4/7 - 4/14

Location: In-person

Facilitators: Paula Sands, Psy.D. and Emilia Mikrut, Ph.D.

The workshop will be geared towards neurodivergent students (those who are autistic, ADHD, or otherwise identify as not neurotypical) and cover topics such as: general "dos and don'ts" of dating, navigating expectations, communication, fostering self-confidence, regulating emotions when problems arise, consent, and building intimacy.

To join, email [email protected] and [email protected].

In-person
Mondays
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
3/24, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14

Facilitator: Yaniv Phillips, Ph.D. 

This 4-session in-person workshop may be what you need to turn the dial down on procrastination and finish the semester strong. This workshop will help you figure out how to let go of self-regulation problems and learn to take the necessary steps toward achieving your goals. We will look at underlying causes of procrastination, and introduce techniques such as use of goal setting, time management techniques, and how to use accountability to achieve what matters to you most. The workshop focus will be on the concerns of the Columbia University student, but all community members are welcome to participate. Come have fun and work on getting things done.

To join, email Dr. Yaniv Phillips at [email protected].

Fridays
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
2/7 - end date TBD

Location: Virtual

Facilitator: Andrew Colitz, Ph.D.

Cancer not only affects the person diagnosed but ripples through families, reshaping roles and family dynamics. This psychoeducational workshop is designed to help students impacted by cancer in their family navigate the emotional, psychological, and challenges they face during this difficult time. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the emotional impact of cancer on families and practical coping tools to better support both their family members with cancer and themselves during this challenging time. This workshop is open to students who have a family member currently undergoing cancer treatment as well as those who have supported a family member through a cancer journey. Participants will also have opportunities to share their experiences and ask questions in a supportive, non-judgmental space. 

If you are interested in joining the workshop, please email Dr. Andrew Colitz at [email protected] with “Supporting Loved Ones Through Cancer” in the subject for the zoom link.

In-person
Fridays
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
2/14, 2/21

Facilitators: Yaniv Phillips, Ph.D. and Christine So, Ph.D.

We offer two workshops for international students designed to address your experience at Columbia.

We will discuss:

1. Academics (2/14): how to maximize your experience in class and with your professors. How and when to get to know professors, expectations, participating in class, collaborating with other students, asking for help and more.
2. Social Life (2/21): how to balance new friends and romantic relationships. How to navigate forming new relationships when living in a language and culture that are not your own. Getting comfortable. Learning social norms. Managing expectations. Feeling lonely.

To join, email Dr. Yaniv Phillips at [email protected] and Dr. Christine So at [email protected].