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]

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
3:15 - 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].

Thursdays
4:15 - 5:30 p.m.
2/6 - end date TBD

Facilitators: Annette Santiago-España, Ph.D. and Qurat-ul-ain Gulamhussein, Ph.D.

This weekly support group provides undergraduate and graduate cis-women of color a safe, confidential space to support one another in navigating how to cope with issues such as relationships, how to manage stress, family issues, gendered racism, trauma, having a voice and asking for what you need.  Group members will be empowered to accept their strengths and growth areas, declare their own authentic beauty, build community, practice self-compassion, and be intentional about reclaiming their overall health.

To join, email Dr. Annette Santiago-Espana at [email protected] and Dr. Qurat-ul-ain Gulamhussein at [email protected].

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].

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].