College students often face overwhelming emotions, difficult relationships and adjustments, and academic problems for which a group may be the best support option – often being more beneficial than one-on-one counseling. Groups offer a unique setting in which peer interactions facilitate self-improvement and the alleviation of suffering. Participants often feel less alone in their struggles, with the group providing a sense of community.
Benefits of Group Counseling
- Connect with others who are experiencing similar emotions. You are not alone!
- Learn from others who have similar problems.
- Become more aware of yourself through genuine feedback from others.
- Pick up new interpersonal skills that you can use in your daily life.
- Gain multiple perspectives on your concerns from different group members.
What Types of Groups are Available?
The Student Counseling Center offers many group options.
You do have to be a client of the Student Counseling Center to participate in groups. If you are an existing client, talk to your provider. If you want to establish services, call 865-974-2196 to set up a triage appointment and ask to be placed in group services.
Skills Based Groups have a focus on teaching group members the skills needed to foster change and see improvement of symptoms. These groups are therapist-led and facilitated, and require a weekly commitment to the group for a set period of time.
Examples of Skills Based Groups:
Dialectal Behavioral Therapy Skills
ADHD Skills
Interpersonal Process Groups are therapist-led and focus on helping group members examine and process their current concerns in a therapeutic group setting.
All groups tend to be small, averaging no more than 8-10 people per group. Groups offered vary from semester to semester and availability changes from week to week.
You do have to be a client of the Student Counseling Center to participate in an interpersonal process group. These groups focus on allowing students to practice new ways of relating and interacting with others, cultivate a better understanding and acceptance of themselves, and receive support and feedback from others. These groups are therapist-led and facilitated, and require a weekly commitment to the group for a set period of time.
If you are interested in joining one of the Interpersonal Process Groups, your first step is to complete a Triage appointment at the Student Counseling Center, or if talk with your provider.
Please call the Student Counseling Center at 865-974-2196 for next available Triage appointment.
Examples of Interpersonal Process Groups:
Undergraduate Student Group
Graduate Student Group
Queer IP Group
Grief IP Group
BIPOC Group
Workshops
This is a 3-part workshop series that will discuss ways to engage in healthier stress management techniques, coping skills, time management for both undergraduate and graduate students. Anyone can join for a workshop, but you do need to register. If you have a provider, ask them about registering for a workshop. If you are not a client, email counselingcenter@utk.edu to register for a workshop.
Meets on Fridays, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Session 1: September 13th, 20th, 27th
Session 2: November 8th, 15th, 22nd
If you are in urgent need or are in a mental health crisis, please call 865-974-2196 or walk into the Student Counseling Center M-F 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. If after business hours, then call 865-974-2196 and press option 2 to speak to a crisis counselor.