Spring Term Drop-In Support Groups and Skills Groups
A supportive space for students to connect, discuss, and build community. Students may attend as many of the meetings as they find helpful. Though a therapist will be present, please note that these services are not considered to be counseling, therapy, or treatment. They may, however, still be beneficial to the emotional well-being of participants.
Black Joy Sessions: Finding Joy Within
Wednesdays, 1:00–2:00 p.m. even weeks (weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10)
Location: Lyllye Reynolds-Parker Black Cultural Center
Facilitator: Dr. Cecile Gadson
Black students, faculty members, and staff are invited to engage in activities that center Black joy including art, laughter, music, and movement. Black Joy Sessions create a space to center a celebration of Black culture, uplift, heal, and empower using a liberated narrative of the Black experience. This space is designed to be an easy, transformative, and love-infused space to create, express, and (re)claim Black joy.
Black CommUnity Table
Wednesdays, 1:00–2:00 p.m. odd weeks (weeks 3, 5, 7, 9)
Location: Lyllye Reynolds-Parker Black Cultural Center
Facilitators: Dr. Cecile Gadson and Dr. Aris Hall
In collaboration with the Lyllye Reynolds-Parker Black Cultural Center, Black CommUnity Table provides a space for Black** students and staff to connect for a weekly discussion related to the strengths and challenges within the community. The discussion varies weekly with topics ranging from campus climate and activism to mental health as well as popular culture. We welcome Black students and staff for an open dialogue where they can be their radical and authentic selves. This space will be part of Wellness Wednesdays.
Kuponya: Centering Black Healing
Fridays, noon–12:45 p.m., weeks 3, 5, 7, 8 (4/18, 5/2, 5/16, 5/23)
Location: Zoom meeting, register in advance
Facilitator: Dr. Cecile Gadson
*Attend to receive a free mindfulness package*
Black-identified** students, faculty members, and staff engage in guided soulfulness mindfulness; African-centered healing strategies; and dialogue to promote collective healing. Connect, breathe, and heal in a space designed specifically for you. This group is also available upon request. Please complete the outreach and presentation request form.
**Black, African, African American, Afro-Latinx, Afro-Caribbean, or the African Diaspora
Anxiety Skills Lab — Drop-In Workshop
(On hold; will not be offered for spring term)
Location: TBD
Facilitator: TBD
Feeling anxious? If so, you aren’t alone. Many UO students identify difficulties navigating stress and anxiety. This drop-in Anxiety Skills Lab aims to help students improve their understanding of anxiety while also teaching anxiety-management strategies so students feel more in control and better equipped to deal with challenges in their lives.
Spring Term Therapy Groups
Creating Healthy Relationships*
Mondays, 2:00–3:30 p.m. with Sarah Anderson-Wilk
Tuesdays, 2:30–4:00 p.m. with Haidee Reff
For students who are interested in learning about their relationship with themselves and with others in their lives. Members gain awareness about interpersonal patterns that they may engage in without even realizing it, and about how they are perceived by others. Members work toward improving self-confidence, appropriate and assertive communication, comfort with addressing conflict, and appropriate boundary setting.
Living with Loss Support Group*
Mondays, 3:00–4:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Kristen Besler
Navigating the loss of someone close to you can be an overwhelming and sometimes isolating experience as a college student. This group is aimed to help students navigate the grieving process to facilitate understanding and healing. Members of this group will have an opportunity to learn about the grief process, express and explore emotions related to grief in a safe space, feel connected to and supported by others experiencing loss, and gain a greater understanding of how grief and loss impacts them.
Graduate, Nontraditional, and Parent Support Group*
Tuesdays, 12:30–2:00 p.m.
Facilitators: Melissa Gomsrud and Jeremy Jalabert
This group is a safe, welcoming, and affirming space for all graduate and nontraditional students, including students who are parenting. Group members will be able to share and receive support in a space that acknowledges each person’s current concerns and life experiences while being able to navigate challenges within a strong and supportive community.
Healing from Family Challenges*
Thursdays, noon–1:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Kimberly Wasserman
For students who have experienced significant distress or dysfunction within their family of origin (such as abuse, substance use, divorce or separation, etc.), which has impacted core beliefs about self and others, self-worth, and relationships with others. Focus is on increasing self-awareness, exploring impact of family experiences, enhancing interpersonal skills, and working toward personal goals.
Sista Circle**
Tuesdays, 4:00–5:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Dr. Cecile Gadson
Sista Circle is a processing and support group for African-American/Black-identified** womxn to work through concerns such as academic stress, self-esteem, family challenges, relationships, identity development, mental health concerns, and much more. Group members will be able to work through their presenting concerns, find community, and be empowered in a protected therapy space.
Varsity Practice: Personal Growth for Men*
Wednesdays, 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Facilitators: Dusty Destler, Jeremy Jalabert, and Arian Mobasser
Varsity Practice is a group for men wanting to develop greater awareness about themselves and how they relate to others. In this six-week group, facilitators and attendees support one another through struggles often experienced by young men, such as stress, anxiety, self-doubt, and loneliness. Group time is used to achieve greater awareness of thoughts and emotions, and devoted to identifying new strategies for connection with self and others. Through practice, group members may apply their new knowledge and ability to benefit their personal relationships and communities.
Trans, Nonbinary, Gender-Diverse/Expansive Support Group*
Fridays, 2:00–3:15 p.m.
Fridays, noon–1:15 p.m. (Trans-Femme/Trans-Women Group)
Facilitator: Kate Phillips
The Trans, Nonbinary, Gender-Diverse/Expansive Support Group is a place to build community, receive and provide support, share experiences, and find empowerment in the intersections between gender, life experience, and connection with others. Find support with TNBGD/E peers on identity, emotional health, relationships, self-esteem, academic stress, self-expression, and more.
Survivor Space*
Thursdays, 2:30–4:00 p.m.
Facilitators: Kimberly Wasserman and Haidee Reff
For students of all genders and identities who have had unwanted sexual experiences at any time in their lives. Members gain understanding of how sexual violence has impacted them, work on creating a sense of safety, grow their abilities to have meaningful connections with others, and address feelings that follow sexual violence.
*Groups that require a pre-group orientation meeting
**Black, African, African American, Afro-Latinx, Afro-Caribbean, or the African Diaspora
What to expect from a pre-group orientation: You will be meeting with the therapists who facilitate the group for a 20- to 30-minute appointment. At this meeting, you and the group therapists will get to know each other, you will get information about the group and how it functions, and about the structure and format of the group. You will also be oriented to how you can receive the most benefit from the group through intentional participation. This is also an opportunity for you to be able to ask any questions you have about the group. Once you and the therapists have talked about your needs and your goals, a decision is collaboratively made about whether this group is the best fit for you.