Discussion Spaces 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 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.
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.
Kuponya: Centering Black Healing
Fridays, noon–12:45 p.m. (weeks 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10)
Location: Lyllye Reynolds-Parker Black Cultural Center or via Zoom — Register for the link
Facilitator: Dr. Cecile Gadson
This space is for Black-identified** students, faculty members, and staff to engage in guided soulfulness mindfulness, African-centered healing strategies, and dialogue to promote collective healing. We invite Black students, faculty members, and staff to connect, breathe, and heal in a space designed specifically for them.
**Black, African, African American, Afro-Latinx, Afro-Caribbean, or the African Diaspora
DBT Skills Groups (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills Groups)
Wednesdays, 3:00–5:00 p.m. with Lindsey Nichols and Jaclyn Bogner
This six-week group teaches skills to help students cope more effectively with intense emotions and difficult behaviors. Skills focus on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Admission is rolling, meaning that students can join at any time, but are asked to complete a full six weeks of group regardless of when they join. Group members are required to have an individual therapist (either at the University of Oregon or in the community).
Therapy Groups
Creating Healthy Relationships*
Mondays, 2:00–3:30 p.m. with Gonzalo Camp and Hawi Wako
Tuesdays, 3:00–4:30 p.m. with Kimberly Wasserman and Cameron Diaz
Thursdays, 3:00–4:30 p.m. (LGBTQIA+ students) with Shannon Stuart-Maver and Mary Marchetti
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.
Parent/Graduate/Nontraditional Student*
Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Melissa Gomsrud, MA, LPC
This group is a safe, welcoming, and affirming space for all nontraditional and graduate students, including students who are parenting! Let’s all join together and provide support to one another. In this group we can move from a collection of individuals into a strong and supportive community.
Living with Loss*
Thursdays, 1:00–2:30 p.m. with Kristen Besler and Garrett Ross
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.
Sista Circle**
Winter Term – call 541-356-3227 if interested
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.
Me Too Process Group*
TBD – call 541-346-3227 if interested
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.
Healing from Family Challenges*
TBD – call 541-346-3227 if interested
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.
*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.