Counseling Services Groups

The group schedules may change throughout the semester, and these changes may not always be reflected on this website. For questions about group offerings, please contact the Group Coordinator, Dr. Kseniya Zhuzha, at kzhuzha@unr.edu.

Please note:

  • Counseling Services groups are open to all current, eligible University of Nevada, Reno students.
  • Students’ interests and clinical needs are considered by our clinicians when determining recommendations and enrollment in a group. Please contact counseling@unr.edu if you would like to request a group that is not currently being offered. Development of new groups is subject to student enrollment, clinical judgment, clinical resources and availability, and other factors.
  • All groups are held in person at this time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fall 2026 groups

  • Anxiety skills

    When: Fridays 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
    Who's leading:     Emma Seynaeve, LCSW and Jorge A. Cao Noya, M.S. 

    This six-week skills group is for students who want to better understand and manage anxiety. Students will learn practical strategies for recognizing anxiety, reducing its impact, and responding more effectively to stressful situations. Topics include self-care, boundary setting, communication skills, and thoughts that fuel anxiety. Sessions are structured like a class and focus on learning practical skills and tools.

    Interested?

    • If you are a current client of the University Counseling Services, please ask your clinician about this group.
    • If you are NOT a current client with us, please see how to schedule a same-day session.
  • Building Habits

    When: Tuesdays 2:30 - 4 p.m.
    Who's leading: Anna Lujan-Sondgroth, Psy.D. and Ashley Darbey, M.S. 

    This six-week support group is for students who want to build healthier daily habits and routines. Through discussion, reflection, and hands-on activities, students will identify patterns that support or interfere with their wellbeing and develop practical strategies for creating lasting habits that promote personal growth and academic success.

    Interested?

    Related resources:

    • Book “Atomic habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones” by James Clear
  • Café Con Pan (Latino/a/x support group)

    When: Wednesdays 4:30-6:00 p.m. on Sep 2, Oct 7, Nov 4, and Dec 2
    Who's leading: Christina Cendejas, Ph.D., Angelica Castro Bueno, Ph.D., and Jorge A. Cao Noya, M.S.
    Where: Multicultural Center (Joe Crowley Student Union, 3rd Floor)

    Café con Pan is a monthly drop-in support space best suited for students who want to discuss experiences related to the Latino/a/x community. Topics may include acculturation, adjusting to college, family, imposter phenomenon, mental health stigma, resilience, self-compassion, and current events impacting the Latino/a/x community. Food is provided.

    Interested? Come to the Multicultural Center (Joe Crowley Student Union, 3rd Floor) during the time of group. For questions, please email Christina at ccendejas@unr.edu.

  • Criticism to Compassion

    When: Mondays 3-4:30 p.m.
    Who's leading: Liya Levanda, Psy.D. and Robert Patrick

    This six-week group is for students who struggle with self-criticism and want to develop a kinder, more compassionate relationship with themselves. Students will learn to recognize patterns that contribute to self-criticism and practice skills for responding to themselves with greater understanding and self-compassion. Sessions are structured like a class, with group leaders teaching practical tools through discussion, exercises, and handouts.

    Interested?

    • If you are a current client of the University Counseling Services, please ask your clinician about this group.
    • If you are NOT a current client with us, please see how to schedule a same-day session.
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Groups

    When: Tuesdays 3-5 p.m.
    Who's leading: Christina Cendejas, Ph.D., Emma Seynaeve, LCSW, and Xavier Gonzalez

    When: Wednesdays 5-7 p.m.
    Who's leading: Monique Normand, LCSW and Kyla Kaatz, M.A.

    These six-week skills groups are for students who want to improve emotion regulation, tolerate distress more effectively, strengthen relationships, and increase self-awareness. Sessions are structured like a class, with group leaders teaching practical coping skills through discussion, exercises, and handouts.

    Interested?

      • If you are a current client of the University Counseling Services, please ask your clinician about this group.
      • If you are NOT a current client with us, please see how to schedule a same-day session.
      • If you are a mental health professional interested in referring a student to this group, please contact Christina Cendejas at ccendejas@unr.edu
  • Exposure Bootcamp

    Dates: January 11 – 15, 2027
    Days/Times: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
    Who's leading:     Kseniya Zhuzha, Ph.D., CGP, Anna Lujan-Sondgroth, Psy.D., and Angelica Castro Bueno, Ph.D.

    Exposure therapy is a gold standard treatment for many mental health concerns yet can be difficult and isolating to engage in when you are a busy university student and manage a number of academic demands and other stressors. Because of this, we offer you a full one-week treatment in a group setting before the start of the spring semester!

    During this week-long group therapy experience, students will engage in exposure exercises that will reduce their anxiety and avoidance and improve quality of life. Exposure exercises will be personalized to each student's individual needs and will increase in difficulty as the week progresses.

    Who is this for:

    Students whose life is limited by anxiety and difficulty to engage in important life activities because of it. Mental health concerns may include but are not limited to: body image, obsessive compulsive disorders, phobias, skin picking, social anxiety, trauma, trichotillomania, etc.

    Expectations:

    • Commitment to the full duration of the Bootcamp
    • Engagement in homework exercises following each session

    Cost:

    • Free to current students enrolled in 6+ credits in Spring 2026
    • Free lunch will be provided

    Interested?

    • If you are a current client of the University Counseling Services, please ask your clinician about this group.
    • If you are NOT a current client with us, please see how to schedule a same-day session.
    • If you are a mental health professional interested in referring a student to this group, please contact Kseniya Zhuzha at kzhuzha@unr.edu
  • Graduate Interpersonal Group

    When: Thursdays 5:30-7 p.m.
    Who's leading: Jodi Thomas, Psy.D. and Sarah Howard, LCPC

    This is an interpersonal process group for graduate and medical students who want to improve their relationships while receiving support from peers navigating similar academic and personal challenges. Changing long-standing patterns in relationships can be challenging. In these groups, students have the opportunity to notice how they relate to others in real time, receive feedback, and practice new ways of communicating and connecting. These experiences can help students develop greater self-awareness and build skills that support relationships outside of group. While the specific focus of each session will be determined by group members' needs, some of the issues addressed may include communication styles, boundaries, emotional vulnerability, self-awareness, academic stressors, and other relationship and graduate school challenges.

    Interested?

    • If you are a current client of the University Counseling Services, please ask your clinician about this group.
    • If you are NOT a current client with us, please see how to schedule a same-day session.

    Related resources:

  • In Focus: ADHD Coaching Group

    When: Tuesdays 2:30-4 p.m. 
    Who's leading: Kaleb Cusack, Ph.D. and Fiona Brodie

    This four-week group provides education and peer support for students experiencing challenges commonly associated with ADHD. Group meetings help students develop practical skills for addressing challenges related to inattention and/or hyperactivity and succeeding in school, work, and daily life. Through skills education and collaborative problem solving with group leaders and peers, students will develop strategies tailored to their individual needs. Topics include goal setting, procrastination and time management, mood management, and self-care.

    Interested? Email Kaleb at kcusack@unr.edu before September 21st to sign up. Space is limited.

  • Interpersonal Groups

    When: Tuesdays 3-4:30 p.m.
    Who's leading: Kseniya Zhuzha, Ph.D., CGP and Liya Levanda, Psy.D.

    When: Wednesdays 3-4:30 p.m. September 2026 – May 2027
    Who's leading: Kseniya Zhuzha, Ph.D., CGP and Yuru Li, LMSW, CSW-I

    These interpersonal process groups are best suited for students who would like to better understand their relationships and practice new ways of connecting with others. Changing long-standing patterns in relationships can be challenging. In these groups, students have the opportunity to notice how they relate to others in real time, receive feedback, and practice new ways of communicating and connecting. These experiences can help students develop greater self-awareness and build skills that support relationships outside of group. Students may work on concerns related to forming and maintaining relationships, communication styles, boundaries, emotional expression, intimacy, assertiveness, empathy, and trust.

    Interested?

    • If you are a current client of the University Counseling Services, please ask your clinician about this group.
    • If you are NOT a current client with us, please see how to schedule a same-day session.

    Related resources:

  • Relationship Skills: Emotions and Vulnerability

    When: Thursdays 3-4 p.m.
    Who's leading: Holland Blackstock, Ph.D. and Nicole Pejman, M.A.

    This six-week skills group is for students who want to better understand their emotions and learn how to build healthier relationships. Students will increase awareness of their emotions, learn strategies for creating emotionally safe relationships, and practice expressing themselves with greater openness and vulnerability. Sessions are structured like a class and focus on learning practical tools.

    Interested?

    • If you are a current client of the University Counseling Services, please ask your clinician about this group.
    • If you are NOT a current client with us, please see how to schedule a same-day session.

    Related resources:

  • Success Pizza: International Student Support Group

    When: First Friday of the month, 12:00 p.m.-1:15 p.m. (Sep 4, Oct 2, Nov 6, and Dec 4)
    Who's leading: Jodi Thomas, Psy.D., Angelica Castro Bueno, Ph.D., Yuru Li, LMSW, CSW-I and OISS staff

    This monthly support group is best suited for students interested in discussing experiences commonly faced by international students while adjusting to life and academics in the United States. Participants have the opportunity to connect with peers, share experiences, and build community. The group hosted by the Office of International Students and Scholars and facilitated by the Counseling Services therapists.

    Interested? Please contact Adilia Ross at adiliab@unr.edu to register.

  • Trauma 101

    When: Mondays 3-4 p.m.
    Who's leading: Anna Lujan-Sondgroth, Psy.D. and Gaby Avina

    This six-week skills group is for students who want to better understand the effects of trauma and develop practical coping strategies. Students will learn about common trauma responses and skills for managing stress, relaxation, anger and irritability, sleep, and attention. Sessions are structured like a class and focus on learning practical tools. This group does not involve talking about trauma or trauma details.

    Interested?

    • If you are a current client of the University Counseling Services, please ask your clinician about this group.
    • If you are NOT a current client with us, please see how to schedule a same-day session.