Current Group Offerings

Mondays 4:30-6 p.m. (Online): Yue Huang, Ph.D. and Renee Bauer, MS, RDN

The Online Body Acceptance Group is provided via Zoom to University students of all genders who struggle with body image and appearance concerns. We strive to reduce appearance bias, promote body acceptance, and develop self-compassion in this group. Through an evidence-based, structured program, group members will learn information and practice skills to reduce appearance preoccupation, change appearance assumptions and negative body talk, address unhelpful body image behaviors (i.e., checking, fixing, and avoiding), and build a more positive relationship with their physical and mental self. The group consists of 8 weekly 1.5 hour Zoom sessions and requires group members to attend all of them. If a group member misses a group session, they will be asked to schedule a one-hour makeup session prior to the next group session.

Interested? Please email Yue at yueh@unr.edu before September 19 and ask for a consultation. Only current University students are eligible.

Mondays 5-6:30 p.m.

Nicole Guyette, LCSW and Ashley Johnson, CSW-I

(In-person)

This group helps persons who experienced trauma of any kind evaluate how trauma has shaped their thoughts and behaviors and work on ways to reclaim their life. Trauma-related issues addressed in this group will include trust, feeling of safety, one’s relationship with power and control, self-esteem, and intimacy. NO traumas will be explicitly discussed in this group to prevent others from being triggered and create a safe space to do this work. In each session, a new skill, concept, or tool is presented, and participants discuss how the material applies to them and help one another with the skills.

Interested? Please email Nicole at nguyette@unr.edu before September 21 and ask for a consultation. Only current University students are eligible.

Monday 2:30-4:30 p.m.(In-person)

This 6-week group is intended for students who want to increase their self-awareness and ability to tolerate distress and improve emotion regulation and relationship skills. This group is structured like a class where group leaders will teach skills and provide handouts to assist with the development of coping skills. Students must be referred by a mental health professional to this group.

Interested?

• If you are a current client of University Counseling Services, please ask your clinician about this group.
• If you are NOT a current client with us, please see how to schedule an initial consultation.
• If you are a mental health professional interested in referring a student to this group, please contact Francesca Kassing at fkassing@unr.edu.

Tuesday 3-5 p.m. (Online)

This 6-week group is intended for students who want to increase their self-awareness and ability to tolerate distress and improve emotion regulation and relationship skills. This group is structured like a class where group leaders will teach skills and provide handouts to assist with the development of coping skills. Students must be referred by a mental health professional to this group.

Interested?

• If you are a current client of University Counseling Services, please ask your clinician about this group.
• If you are NOT a current client with us, please see how to schedule an initial consultation.
• If you are a mental health professional interested in referring a student to this group, please contact Francesca Kassing at fkassing@unr.edu.

Fridays 2-3:45 p.m. (In-person): Marquez Wilson, Psy.D. & Kseniya Zhuzha, Ph.D

Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is a role-playing game where participants take on the personas of fictional characters and go on adventures in a fantastic world. D&D group uses these elements to challenge you to role play as a fantasy version of yourself. Your ultimate goal is to develop desired relationship and communication skills and use them in the game to tackle challenges and interact with others. Along the way, you and your fellow players will work as a team to navigate dungeons, complete quests, find treasures, slay beasts, and discover ways to express meaningful parts of your fantasy characters in the real world! No previous D&D experience required.

Interested?

• If you are a current client of University Counseling Services, please ask your clinician about this group.
• If you are not a current client with us, please see how to schedule an initial consultation.

Related resources
If this group sounds interesting to you, you may also find helpful the book by McKay, Davis, and Fanning “Messages: The Communication Skills Book.”

Tuesdays 2-3:30 p.m. (In-person): Marquez Wilson, Psy.D. & Mariam Halstead, LMSW, CSW-I

This is a space for first-generation students (i.e., students whose parents did not complete a four-year college or university degree) to gain support from each other, share personal experiences and ideas, and receive assistance from mental health professionals. The group will focus on the unique circumstances that first-generation college students face, offering a space to process these concerns and work on related interpersonal difficulties.

Some of the issues covered in group may include family demands and expectations, balancing academics and work, navigating the higher education system and the associated stress, etc.

Interested? Please email Mariam at mhalstead@unr.edu or Marquez at marquezw@unr.edu and ask for a consultation. Only current University students are eligible.

Thursdays 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. (In-person): Michael Pauldine, Ph.D. & Mariam Halstead, LMSW, CSW-I

This mixed interpersonal process and support group aims to both focus on improving relationships through "here and now" process while also offering a space for general support. Specifically, in addition to support, students explore how they approach relationships with other group members and practice new interpersonal strategies with each other, which then can be used outside of group. The group is open to any graduate or medical student that is experiencing interpersonal difficulties and would benefit from support from other students pursuing advanced degrees. 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, as well as other general challenges of interpersonal process and graduate school.

Interested? Please email Michael at mpauldine@unr.edu and ask for a consultation. Only current University students are eligible.

Thursdays 3-4:30 p.m. (In-person): Kseniya Zhuzha, Ph.D., CGP & Kaleb Cusack, MA

This group focuses on building awareness of self in relationships with others and practicing new ways of interacting with others within a safe and therapeutic environment. Common issues addressed in this group include but are not limited to forming and/or maintaining relationships, communication styles, boundaries, self-awareness, emotional expression, intimacy, assertiveness, empathy, and trust. Group sessions generally have little to no structure and students have freedom to bring up concerns pertinent to their lives. In the process, they are encouraged to explore and express their emotions, practice effective ways of communication, and to notice how meaningful interpersonal connections are formed in group.

Interested?

• If you are a current client of University Counseling Services, please ask your clinician about this group.
• If you are NOT a current client with us, please see how to schedule an initial consultation.

Related resources
If this group sounds interesting to you, you may also find helpful:

• New York Times article “How to Have Close Friendships (and Why You Need Them)”
• Book by Glover “Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself”
• Book Donald Miller “Scary Close: Dropping the Act and Finding True Intimacy”

Wednesdays 3-4:30 p.m. (In-person): Kseniya Zhuzha, Ph.D., CGP and Amy O'Brien, CSW-I

This group focuses on building awareness of self in relationships with others and practicing new ways of interacting with others within a safe and therapeutic environment. Common issues addressed in this group include but are not limited to forming and/or maintaining relationships, communication styles, boundaries, self-awareness, emotional expression, intimacy, assertiveness, empathy, and trust. Group sessions generally have little to no structure and students have freedom to bring up concerns pertinent to their lives. In the process, they are encouraged to explore and express their emotions, practice effective ways of communication, and to notice how meaningful interpersonal connections are formed in group.

Interested?

• If you are a current client of University Counseling Services, please ask your clinician about this group.
• If you are NOT a current client with us, please see how to schedule an initial consultation.

Related resources
If this group sounds interesting to you, you may also find helpful:

• New York Times article “How to Have Close Friendships (and Why You Need Them)”
• Book by Glover “Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself”
• Book Donald Miller “Scary Close: Dropping the Act and Finding True Intimacy”

Fridays 1-3 p.m. (In-person): Hilary Son, Psy.D. & Mariam Halstead, CSW-I; Coaches: Amy Taylor, DeWayne Manning

*Additional Exercise Times: M/T/W/Th at 11 a.m. (two exercise times required each week in addition to the Friday group therapy time)  *Equipment not required.

College life can be stressful, draining, and overwhelming. This is a 10-12 week exercise and therapy group which meets in person 3x/week. It is open to University students, designed to help participants increase coping through exercise, develop awareness of themselves and address symptoms of anxiety and depression. The group will offer a safe, supportive space to exercise, process feelings, develop coping skills and connect with peers. Group members will have freedom to bring up concerns pertinent to their lives and have the opportunity to practice new ways of interacting with fellow group members.

Interested? Please email Hilary at hjson@unr.edu and Mariam at mhalstead@unr.edu before September 2 and ask for a consultation. Only current University students are eligible.

Third Monday of the month 3-4 p.m.
Dates: Sept. 12, Oct. 17, Nov. 21, Dec. 12
In-person at Counseling Services Annex (Great Basin Hall)
Carla Franich, MA & Chris Westin, MA

The Student Parent Support group is a monthly meeting for UNR student-parents of children 0 to 5 years old to connect, develop support networks, and build community. Topics discussed in each meeting will be determined by interests and needs of group members in attendance and may range from study skills, career planning, and financial aid to family finances, stress management, and child development.

Interested? You can drop in or sign up through PackLife ahead of time. For questions, please email Carla at carlaf@unr.edu.

First Friday of the month: 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

Hilary Son, PsyD, Marquez Wilson, PsyD, Brooke Tousley, CSW-I and OISS staff

(In-person)

College life can be stressful. This can be made more difficult when adjusting to a different culture and other factors that come with being an international student. This support group is open to all University international students. The group is run by Dr. Hilary Son and Dr. Marquez Wilson from Counseling Services, along with OISS staff and will offer a safe, supportive space to discuss your experiences with fellow International students. Manage the stress of college life and adjustment better! Join us for supportive conversation! Pizza provided.

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