Division of Student Affairs > Student Services > Counseling > Group Counseling

Group Counseling

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Don't Face Life's Challenges Alone - Join a Group!

This is a great time to take advantage of the unlimited counseling sessions offered in groups.

In an effort to better serve students, we are offering group counseling to DePaul students. Without compromising privacy,  students can learn more about themselves and gain support from others. All are welcome to take advantage of this opportunity regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or ethnicity; and we are committed to providing students with the best services possible.

We work to offer a variety of groups and workshops at the Lincoln Park and Loop campuses, as well as online, for students who may be struggling with specific issues (e.g. grief/loss, self-esteem), or who would like to understand more about how they tend to relate to others in general. 

Group counseling and educational workshops can be particularly effective for a broad array of concerns. These resources not only offer students an opportunity to get support and feedback from others, but also to learn more about themselves in unique and stimulating ways.

Depending on student turnout and other factors, groups may change from quarter to quarter throughout the academic year. ​

Counseling Groups & Workshops​ (Autumn 2024)​

 Groups may require that you Book a Group Screening or Schedule an Appointment prior to participating, and some are open/drop-in. Please check group tabs for sign-up details, times, and start dates.​ 

Click to download/print our Group Counseling flyer.

Black Men's Support Group: This is a group therapy experience for students who identify as male and as Black/of African descent. This is a space to share experiences related to various parts of our identities such as being a student, a man, or someone who identifies as Black. Topics covered in the group might include (but are not limited to): navigating academia, race-related stress, family relationships, intimate partner relationships, healthy masculinity, adjusting to college, self-care and healing.

Students interested in joining this group should visit our forms page and Schedule an Appointment. 

Quarter: AUTUMN 2024

Day & Time: Fridays at 1:00 pm (starting September 27th)

Length: 60 minutes

Location: Lincoln Park Campus, Student Center Room 350

Group Facilitator: Orson Morrison, PsyD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Gathering Around Grief: Gathering around Grief is a weekly, interpersonal support space for individuals who have lost a family member, partner, or friend in the last three years.  Participants will have the opportunity to name, explore, and move forward from their losses, while also being able to provide support to their fellow group members.

Students interested in joining this group should visit our forms page and Schedule an Appointment. 

Quarter: AUTUMN 2024

Day & Time: Fridays at 1:00 PM (starting October 4th)

Length: 90 minutes

Location: Online via a secure Zoom link  

Group Facilitator: Maggie Brennan, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

First Year Student Support Goup:  This group is for first year students beginning their college experience. This space offers students the opportunity to receive support as they begin their college career. Group offers students the chance to connect with other first year students, learn applicable skills to manage the transition from high school to college, and prioritize their mental health. 

Students interested in joining this group should visit our forms page and Book a Group Screening

Quarter: AUTUMN 2024

Day & Time: Wednesdays at 2:00 PM (starting October 2nd)

Length: 60 minutes

Location: Lincoln Park Campus, Student Center Room 350

Group Facilitator: Ariana Ruiz, MA, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Latinx/e Men's Group:  This group experience is intended for students who identify as male and as being of Latino/Latinx/Latine descent. Men will be able to speak in an encouraging environment, where they can express themselves while giving and receiving support. Topics that will be talked about include family, intimate partner relationships, heritage, Machismo/Caballerismo, navigating academia, and more. 

Students interested in joining this group should visit our forms page and Book a Group Screening

Quarter: AUTUMN 2024

Day & Time: Thursdays at 3:00 PM (starting September 26th)

Length: 60 minutes

Location: Lincoln Park Campus, Student Center Room 350

Group Facilitator: Enrique Silva, MA, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Men's Support Group: A place for men to come together and find support in a casual and genuine way.

Students interested in joining this group should visit our forms page and Book a Group Screening

Quarter: AUTUMN 2024

Day & Time: Thursdays at 12:30 PM (starting September 26th)

Length: 60 minutes

Location: Loop Campus, Lewis Center, Suite 1400

Group Facilitator: Christian Carey, PhD, Staff Therapist

Q-mmunity: LGBTQ Support Group: This group will focus on the social and emotional needs of students of any gender expression, identity, or cultural background who identify as queer and/or LGBTQ+. This is a collaborative space where members examine their feelings about the victories and challenges as someone navigating a heteronormative world. Members collaborate on specific topics but general themes typically encompass interpersonal skill development, identity construction and integration, and overall empowerment and support.

Students interested in joining this group should visit our forms page and Book a Group Screening

Quarter: AUTUMN 2024

Day & Time: Fridays at 2:30 PM (starting September 27th)

Length: 120 minutes

Location: Lincoln Park Campus, Student Center Room 350

Group Facilitator: Christian Carey, PhD, Staff Therapist

 

Self-Compassion for Academic Success: School is hard!  And being hard on yourself only makes it harder. The essential skills of self-compassion and mindfulness have been shown to help students better manage their stress and keep moving toward their goals.  In this 4 week series, you will learn the foundations of mindful self-compassion through presentations, discussions, and experiential exercises that you can then use to help you make it through the end of the quarter and beyond!

This is a DROP-IN group, no pre-registration or appointment needed to participate.

Quarter: AUMTUMN 2024

Day & Time: Mondays at 12:00 PM for 4 weeks (starting October 21st - November 11th) 

Length: 45 minutes

Location: Lincoln Park Campus, Student Center Room 350

Group Facilitator: Stefani Pila, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Support Group for Students with DisabilitiesA safe place for students who identify as having a disability and would like to gain support from their peers and process their personal experiences.  Meeting topics can include exploring one's identity, the intersectionality, building relationships and friendships, academic pressures, imposter syndrome, sharing about resources, obstacles, and successes, etc.

Students interested in joining this group should visit our forms page and Schedule an Appointment.  

Quarter: AUTUMN 2024

Day & Time: Mondays at 12:00 PM (starting September 16th - October 14th)

Length: 60 minutes

Location: Lincoln Park Campus, Student Center Room 350

Group Facilitator: Stefani Pila, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence: This is a 12-week program that will utilize Cognitive Processing Therapy, a therapeutic approach that allows for reframing our trauma-associated thoughts and feelings!

Students interested in joining this group should visit our forms page and Schedule an Appointment. 

Quarter: WINTER 2025

Day & Time: Fridays at 1:00 PM (starting January 27th)

Length: 90 minutes

Location: Lincoln Park Campus, Student Center Room 350 

Group Facilitator: Maggie Brennan, PhD, Licensed Clinical PsychologistAreli Contreras, MA, Licensed Professional Counselor

Understanding Ourselves & Others Group: This group is for any undergraduate or graduate students who are interested in learning about their relationships with themselves and with others. The goal of this group is for members to gain awareness about their interpersonal patterns in relationships, improve the quality of their relationship with themselves and others, and increase self-awareness and compassion.

This group will also provide education to group members on development of skills for conflict resolution, interpersonal effectiveness, and effective communication. Members will have safe and supportive environment that will allow them to practice new skills, enhance their relationships and receive support and feedback from other group members.

Students interested in joining this group should visit our forms page and Schedule an Appointment.  

Quarter: AUTUMN 2024

Day & Time: Wednesdays at 3:00 PM (starting September 25th)

Length: 60 minutes

Location: Lincoln Park Campus, Student Center Room 350

Group Facilitator: Stefani Pila, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Understanding Ourselves & Others Group: This group is for any undergraduate or graduate students who are interested in learning about their relationships with themselves and with others. The goal of this group is for members to gain awareness about their interpersonal patterns in relationships, improve the quality of their relationship with themselves and others, and increase self-awareness and compassion.

This group will also provide education to group members on development of skills for conflict resolution, interpersonal effectiveness, and effective communication. Members will have safe and supportive environment that will allow them to practice new skills, enhance their relationships and receive support and feedback from other group members.

Students interested in joining this group should visit our forms page and Schedule an Appointment.  

Quarter: AUTUMN 2024

Day & Time: Tuesdays at 4:00 PM (starting September 17th)

Length: 60 minutes

Location: Loop Campus, Lewis Center Room 1400

Group Facilitator: Victoria Smith, MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Women's Group: The Women’s group is a process group for undergraduate and graduate female-identified students who are looking for a safe confidential space to connect with other women to discuss and explore the hardships they have experienced as a female and how women’s lives are impacted by societal gender stereotypes. In addition the group may also discuss concerns related to relationships, intimacy, academic and work stress, life transitions, self-esteem, body image, current events, anxiety or depression. The goal of this group is to encourage group members to work together to empower one another and themselves, learn from one another and support and encourage positive change to enhance quality of life. 

Students interested in joining this group should visit our forms page and Schedule an Appointment.  

Quarter: AUTUMN 2024

Day & Time: Thursdays at 4:00 PM (starting September 12th)

Length: 60 minutes

Location: Loop Campus, Lewis Center Room 1400

Group Facilitator: Victoria Smith, MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker





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