Current Group Offerings

• Wednesdays 3-4:30 p.m.
• Disability Resource Center, Pennington Student Achievement Center 230
• Christina Cendejas, PhD & Brooke Tousley, LMSW, CSW-I

This group is for University of Nevada, Reno students to gain support and learn evidence-based skills for completing academic tasks, combating procrastination, increasing motivation, and reducing academic distress related to anxiety and depression.

Interested? Come to the Disability Resource Center (Pennington Student Achievement Center 230) at the time of group. For questions, please email Christina at ccendejas@unr.edu and Brooke at btousley@unr.edu.

• Mondays 3:30-4:30 p.m.
• Mariam Halstead, LCSW and Cheikh Ndiaye, LMSW, CSW-I

This 6-week group is open to University of Nevada, Reno students who want to learn skills for recognizing and reducing anxiety. Topics covered in group may include self-care, boundary setting, communication skills and thoughts that fuel anxiety.  Group sessions are structured and focus on learning a skill, concept or tool.

Interested? 

• If you are a current client of the University of Nevada, Reno 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.

• Second Monday of the month 2-3 p.m.
  • Sep 11, Oct 9, Nov 13, Dec 11
• Multicultural Center, Joe Crowley Student Union, 3rd floor
• Christina Cendejas, PhD

Cafe con Pan is a monthly drop-in support group that aims to foster a sense of community among Latino/a/x students at University of Nevada, Reno. This group discusses topics such as acculturation, adjustment to college, family, imposter phenomenon, mental health stigma, resilience, self-compassion, and events impacting the Latino/a/x community. Join us to connect with Latino/a/x students! Food 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.

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

• University of Nevada, Reno Latino Research Center – Resource Guide for the Latinx Community of Northern Nevada
• The Racial Healing Handbook by Dr. Anneliese A. Singh

• Third Wednesday of the month 5:30-7 p.m.
  • Sep 20, Oct 18, Nov 15, Dec 20
• Fleischmann Agriculture 219
• Amy O’Brien, LCSW & Scott Allen, PhD

Climates Cafes are an informal, open, and respectful space for University of Nevada, Reno students to share emotional responses and reactions related to the climate and environmental emergency. The goal is to reflect and process the emotional impact of climate and ecological change. It is not designed to lead participants to any conclusion or toward action. Originally developed by the Climate Psychology Alliance, Climate Cafes at the University is a collaboration of the Counseling Services and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences.

Interested? Come to Fleischmann Agriculture 219 at the time of group. For questions, please email Amy at aobrien@unr.edu.

• Tuesdays 3-4:30 p.m.
• Nicole Guyette, LCSW and Savannah Walker, MA

This group is for University of Nevada, Reno students 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 and ask about a consultation. Only current University of Nevada, Reno students are eligible.

• Third Tuesday of the month 5-6:30 p.m.
• Marquez Wilson, PsyD and Mariam Halstead, LCSW

This group focuses on creating a safe place to talk about race and race-based traumatic experiences and building community for University of Nevada, Reno students of color. Group sessions will emphasize obtaining support and may focus on a topic. The group does NOT involve talking about trauma-specific details.

Interested? Email Marquez at marquezw@unr.edu and Mariam at m.m.halstead@unr.edu.

• Tuesday 3-5 p.m.
• Christina Cendejas, PhD & Brooke Tousley, LMSW, CSW-I

This 6-week group is intended for University of Nevada, Reno 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 the University of Nevada, Reno 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 Dr. Francesca Kassing at fkassing@unr.edu.

• Wednesdays 5-7 p.m.
• Crystal Nejabat, LCPC & Monique Normand, LCSW

This 6-week group is intended for University of Nevada, Reno 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 the University of Nevada, Reno 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 Dr. Francesca Kassing at fkassing@unr.edu.

• Fridays 2-3:45 p.m.
• Marquez Wilson, PsyD & Nicole Guyette, LCSW 

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

• Mondays 3:-4:30pm
• Susan Chamberlain, PhD & Julia Le Grande, MA

Embody is body image-focused therapy group for women and femmes who are UNR students. Through education, skills practice, and vulnerable dialogue, members work together to create a more peaceful, safe, and affirming relationship with their bodies. The group is trauma-informed and assumes that body stigma and shame grow out of natural needs for safety, empowerment, and connection.

Interested? Please email Susan at susanchamberlain@unr.edu and ask about a consultation. Only current UNR students are eligible.

Related resources

• Book by Sonya Renee Taylor “The Body is Not an Apology” available at the UNR library.
• TED Talk by Brené Brown “The Power of Vulnerability”

• Thursdays 3-5 p.m.
• Kseniya Zhuzha, PhD, CGP and Jen Leach

In this group University of Nevada, Reno students will build awareness of how their family dynamics have impacted the way they feel about themselves and navigate relationships with others. The group will also facilitate healing, including development of emotional acceptance/resolution and healthy communication skills. Each group will revolve around a topic or an activity that will provoke introspection.

Interested?

• If you are a current client of University of Nevada, Reno 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.

• Mondays 3-4:30 p.m.
• Kseniya Zhuzha, PhD, CGP and Rich Warmke

This 8-week group is open to University of Nevada, Reno students and focuses on building awareness of self in relationships with others and practicing new ways of interacting within a safe and therapeutic environment. In the focused brief format, students select and work on 1-2 interpersonal goals for 8 weeks. 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.

Interested?

• If you are a current client of University of Nevada, Reno 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
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”
• TED Talk by Brené Brown “The Power of Vulnerability”

• Wednesdays 5-6:30 p.m.
• Kseniya Zhuzha, PhD, CGP and Susan Chamberlain, PhD

This mixed interpersonal process and support group focuses on helping participants improve relationships and receive support around being a graduate student at University of Nevada, Reno. In sessions, participants will 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 graduate and medical students who experience 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, and other relationship and graduate school challenges.

Interested?

• If you are a current client of University of Nevada, Reno 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
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”
• TED Talk by Brené Brown “The Power of Vulnerability"

• Thursdays 5:30-7 p.m.
• Michael Pauldine, PhD & Manije Irani, LMSW, CSW-I

This mixed interpersonal process and support group focuses on helping participants improve relationships and receive support around being a graduate student at University of Nevada, Reno. In sessions, participants will 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 graduate and medical students who experience 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, and other relationship and graduate school challenges.

Interested? Please email Michael at mpauldine@unr.edu and ask about a consultation. Only current University of Nevada, Reno students are eligible.

• Wednesdays 3-4:30 p.m.
• Amy O’Brien, LCSW & Manije Irani, LMSW, 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 of Nevada, Reno 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
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”
• TED Talk by Brené Brown “The Power of Vulnerability"

• Thursdays 3-4:30 p.m.
• Marquez Wilson, PsyD & Brooke Tousley, LMSW-CSW-I
  

Improv is not just the butt of every rom-com joke, it’s also an effective way to get more comfortable with spontaneity. If you find yourself frequently frozen with indecision, struggling to speak in emotionally heightened situations, or terrified of doing “the wrong thing”, then this group is a perfect fit! In this group University of Nevada, Reno students work on being more flexible in our approach and experiencing the emotions that come along with uncertainty. We do this via made-up, sometimes silly, improv situations but also through volunteer “real-play” based on situations group members are actually facing. If this sounds scary but also kind of intriguing, come give improv group a chance!

Interested? Please email Dr. Marquez Wilson at marquezw@unr.edu and ask about a consultation. Only current University of Nevada, Reno students are eligible.

Related Resources

• Information on how improv helps with anxiety.
• Perspective of someone who realized their social anxiety in college and used improv to cope.

• Fridays 1-3 p.m.
• Hilary Son, PsyD, Bryce Scottron, MA, ME, and Fitness Center Coaches

*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 of Nevada, Reno 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 ask about a consultation. Only current University of Nevada, Reno students are eligible.

• Thursdays 3-4 p.m.
• Hilary Son, PsyD & Itzel Granados Dominguez
  

This 6-week skills group for University of Nevada, Reno students will focus on 1) increasing awareness of emotions 2) learning strategies for maintaining emotional safety in relationships, 3) practicing deepening relationships through learning to express emotions vulnerably.

Interested?

• If you are a current client of University of Nevada, Reno 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.

• Thursdays 3-4 p.m.
• NRAP, William Raggio Building: Room 1001
• Ashley Darbey, MS, LADC

This group is for University of Nevada, Reno students who would like to focus on moderating substance use and changing use patterns. This space will be utilized to support one another and gain new insights on some beneficial adjustments that can be made in relation to substance use. This will also be a space to explore your relationship with your substance of choice.

Interested? Come to NRAP (William Raggio Building: Room 1001) during the time of group. For questions, please email Ashley at adarbey@unr.edu.

• First Friday of the month: 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• Hilary Son, PsyD, Brooke Tousley, CSW-I, Cheikh Ndiaye, CSW-I and OISS staff

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 of Nevada, Reno 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. 

• Mondays 2-3 p.m.
• Nicole Guyette, LCSW and Cheikh Ndiaye, LMSW, CSW-I
  

This group is open to University of Nevada, Reno students and focuses on skills for recognizing trauma response or symptoms and coping to reduce their intensity or duration. Topics include: symptoms of trauma and stress response, dealing with reminders, understanding thoughts, relaxation, anger/irritability, and sleep. Group sessions are structured and focus on learning a skill, concept, or tool (NOTE: this group does NOT involve talking about trauma or trauma details). Participants are encouraged to attend all 6 sessions.

Interested?

• If you are a current client of UNR 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.