Support Groups

Fridays
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
2/2/2024 - end date TBD

Facilitator: Debra Domenech, Ph.D. and Jorge Alvarenga, 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 [email protected] and [email protected] with "Bereavement" in the subject line.

Thursdays
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Start and End Date TBD

Facilitator: Manali Roy, Ph.D.

This is a virtual workshop and support space for international students to share their experiences of adjusting to a new country, culture, community, and systems and to learn ways to navigate the transitions. We will talk about skills to cope with stress, anxiety, imposter syndrome, managing existing and new relationships, as well as any other topics of shared interest.

To join, email [email protected] with "International Students" in the subject line.

Mondays
5:30 - 6:45 p.m.
4/8/2024 - 4/29/2024

Facilitator: Addette Williams, Ph.D., Certified MIEA Mindfulness Teacher

In this 4-week virtual course, students will learn skills and practices to help them feel less stressed, be more mindful, experience less self-judgment and sleep better. The app has a timer and connects students with their teacher and the curriculum. Homework requires 10 minutes each day.

To join, email [email protected] with "MIEA" in the subject line.

Tuesdays
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
1/30/2024 - 5/7/2024

Facilitator: Shirley Matthews, Ph.D.

This virtual workshop will focus on helping you develop the life skills that will help you achieve your goals. If you are working on a professional project, thesis, or dissertation this virtual support group may be what you need to break free of the secret pleasures of mismanaging time and put you in a position to achieve your important long-term goals. Participants will learn how to set priorities when there is “too much to do.” You will learn techniques to help you break free of procrastination.
 
Skills known to help address time-wasting, thought distortions such as imposter syndrome, and self-defeating behaviors will be addressed. And of course, we will look at ways to cope with interruptions and everyday competing demands.
 
All of this will be built on a foundation of kindness, with an emphasis on self-compassion, in an environment of safety and shared accountability. We will work together to create a shame-free zone of collaboration that has in the past, helped participants reach successful goal completion.

To join, email [email protected] with "Time Management" in the subject line.

This workshop is now full.

Fridays
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
1/19/2024 - end date TBD

Facilitator: Maria Narimanidze, Psy.D.

A psychotherapy group to help participants understand and improve their relationships with others – friends, romantic partners, family, and others. Members will have a chance to explore their personal histories, including attachment histories, and practice, in vivo, more effective ways of communicating.

The group will address areas like:

• Understanding boundaries
• Managing expectations
• Disagreeing/ addressing conflict effectively
• Asking for what you want
• Active listening & validation
• Receiving feedback
• Knowing when and how to end a relationship that is not working

To sign up for the group, please email [email protected] with "Relationships" in the subject line. Please note that an initial consultation with the facilitator will be required to gauge whether this group is an appropriate fit.

Monday (4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6)
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
4/15/2024 - 5/6/2024

Facilitators: Yaniv Phillips, Ph.D. and Kim Nguyen, Psy.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: Understanding Relational Expectations and Beliefs, Nurturing the Positives in the Relationship, Improving Problem-Solving Ability, and Communication Skills.

The workshop is open to all Columbia students who have paid the full Columbia Health and Related Service Fee and their partners.

To join, email [email protected] and [email protected] with “Couples Workshop” in the subject line.

Fridays
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Start date TBD

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, please email [email protected] with "First Gen" in the subject line.

Fridays
3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
2/2/2024 - 5/10/2024

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 [email protected] with "Getting Things Done" in the subject line.

Mondays
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Start and end date TBD

Facilitator: Marcia Stern, Ph.D. 

This eight-week group offers an opportunity for female and gender non-binary students with a history of childhood or adolescent sexual assault to meet in a safe, confidential, and supportive space.  The group's goals are to increase understanding of trauma's impact, decrease isolation, reduce shame and self-blame, enhance coping skills, and increase their capacity for safe relationships.  

Email [email protected] with "Group" in the subject line. Please note that an initial consultation with the facilitator will be scheduled prior to the start of the group.

This workshop is full. Stay tuned for the Fall 2024 group.

Fridays
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Start and End Dates TBD

Facilitators: Annette Santiago-Espana, Ph.D. and Melanie Kressel, Psy.D.

This confidential support group is for undergraduate and graduate students of all genders who are motivated and invested in their path toward recovery from a range of eating and body image concerns. Group members will have the opportunity to explore issues related to eating concerns such as relationships, body image, self-concept, race and culture, gender, social media, trauma, family, academic pressures, and coping with relapse. The students in this group will feel empowered and supported, and work towards building a strong sense of self as they develop and maintain healthy attitudes and behaviors.

To join, email [email protected] and [email protected] with "Reawakening" in the subject line.