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

Spring 2026 groups

  • Anxiety skills

    When: Fridays 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
    Who's leading:     Emma Seynaeve, LCSW

    This six-week group is open to University students who want to learn skills for recognizing and reducing anxiety. Topics covered in this 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 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.
  • Café Con Pan (Latino/a/x support group)

    When: Wednesdays 4:30-6:00 p.m. on Feb 4, Mar 4, Apr 1, and May 6
    Who's leading: Christina Cendejas, Ph.D. and Angelica Castro Bueno, Ph.D.
    Where: Multicultural Center (Joe Crowley Student Union, 3rd Floor)

    Café con Pan is a monthly drop-in support space best suited for the University students who want to discuss experiences as a part of the Latino/a/x community. 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. 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:

  • Criticism to Compassion

    When: Tuesdays 3-4:30 p.m.
    Who's leading: Liya Levanda, Psy.D. and Selma Tugrul

    This is a 6-week group for University students who struggle with being hard on themselves, being too harsh/mean to themselves, or wish they spoke to themselves with more kindness. Group members will first learn to identify thought and behavior patterns that contribute to their self-criticism and will then learn ways to show themselves kindness and compassion.

    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 Group

    When: Mondays 3-5 p.m.
    Who's leading: Liya Levanda, Psy.D. and Emma Seynaeve, LCSW

    When: Fridays 1-3 p.m.
    Who's leading: Christina Cendejas, Ph.D. and Lee Pradell, M.S.

    These six-week groups are intended for students who want to increase their self-awareness, ability to tolerate distress, and improve emotion regulation and relationship skills. Groups are structured like a class where group leaders 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 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 12 – 16, 2026
    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 UNR 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
  • Family Patterns

    When: Thursdays 5-7 p.m.
    Who's leading: Kseniya Zhuzha, PhD, CGP and Anna Lujan-Sondgroth, Psy.D.

    In this group, 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 the 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 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.
  • Graduate Interpersonal Group

    When: Mondays 5:30-7 p.m.
    Who's leading: Amy O’Brien, LCSW and Angelica Castro Bueno, Ph.D.

    This interpersonal process and support group focuses on helping participants improve relationships and receive support around being a graduate student at the University. 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 the 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 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 3-5 p.m. (Required Attendance: 3-4 p.m., Optional Coaching: 4-5 p.m.)
    Who's leading: Kaleb Cusack, Ph.D. and Holland Blackstock, M.A.

    In Focus is a five-week group that offers education and peer support for students who experience difficulties commonly associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Group meetings are interactive and help students develop skills for succeeding in school, career, and daily life. Group topics include goal setting, procrastination and time management, mood management, self-care, and relationships. During the second optional coaching hour group leaders and participants will work together to problem solve and develop strategies for group member’s individual challenges related to inattention and/or hyperactivity.

    Interested? Email Kaleb at ksusack@unr.edu before October 10 to sign up. Space is limited.

  • Interpersonal Group

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

    When: Wednesdays 3-4:30 p.m.
    Who's leading: Kseniya Zhuzha, Ph.D., CGP and Kristen Reyes

    These groups focus 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 these groups include forming and 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 notice how meaningful interpersonal connections are formed in the group.

    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: Amy O’Brien, LCSW and Holland Blackstock, M.A.

    This five-week skills group focuses on 1) increasing awareness of emotions 2) learning strategies for maintaining emotional safety in relationships, and 3) practicing deepening relationships through learning to express emotions vulnerably.

    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 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. (Jan 9, Feb 6, Mar 6, Apr 3, and May 8)
    Who's leading: Jodi Thomas, Psy.D., Edwin Tang, M.C., and Holland Blackstock, M.A., and OISS staff

    Being a student is stressful and can be made even more difficult when adjusting to a different culture. This support group is best suited for students who want to discuss adjustment to the U.S. culture and academic stress with fellow University international students in a supportive space. The group is run by Counseling Services therapists along with OISS staff.

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

  • Table Top Therapy

    When: Fridays 2-3:45 p.m.
    Who's leading: Marquez Wilson, Psy.D. and Edwin Tang, M.C.

    In Table Top Therapy participants role play fictional characters and go on adventures in a fantastic world. Group uses game elements to challenge you to role play 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 the fantasy world, complete quests, slay beasts, and discover ways to express meaningful parts of your fantasy characters in the real world!

    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.
  • Trauma Education Group

    When: Mondays 3:30-4:30 p.m.
    Who's leading: Anna Lujan-Sondgroth, Psy.D.

    This group 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 and 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 six sessions.

    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.