Group therapy provides a safe and trusting environment where you can gain support, share experiences and struggles, get feedback from others, and try out new skills. Research consistently shows that group therapy is an effective treatment choice for many people.

CAPS offers a variety of groups to fit a range of needs.

Format

Groups last four to 12 weeks, depending on the topic and format. This allows you to build trust with the other in the group and become more comfortable. You will know how long the group will last before it starts.

Groups are typically up to ten students with two group leaders. Group leaders are Counseling and Psychiatry counselors who guide self-exploration, give feedback, and encourage group cohesion.

Group offerings may change based on participant and/or facilitator availability. If you have questions or are interested in joining a group, please call the CAPS office at 802-656-3340 to schedule a brief appointment with the group facilitator.

Please check back as information about groups continues to get updated. 

Spring 2024 Groups

Family Stress and Support

Group 1: Mondays 3:45-5:15 pm
Group 2: Tuesdays 4:30-6:00 pm

This group is a safe place for you to explore how stressors from home including but not limited to substance use and abuse, family conflict, divorce, persistent illness, etc. impact your college experience and evolving identity. Meetings will vary widely and include managing stress, general adjustment to university life, and relating to others and to oneself. Focus is on undergraduate exprerience but at times the group has had graduate students particpate. Facilitated by Derek George, MS

Grief and Loss

Tuesdays 2:00-3:30 

Students who have experienced the loss of a loved one recently or in the past, have the opportunity to share their experiences with each other in this group. Facilitated by Jennifer Phillips, LICSW, LADC

Body Positive UVM

Tuesdays 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/5, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16 3:00-4:30 
 

Join us as we focus on healing our relationship with our bodies. We will begin to build a healthy relationship with our bodies, food, and exercise. Faciltated by Kelly Boardman, LCMHC and Amy Sercel, RD

Recovery

Thursdays 5:00-6:30

This group is geared towards people who are substance free for at least 30 days and are interested in exploring issues that arise as part of living a substance free life. Facilitated by Walter Brownsword, MA, LADC

Supportive Meal Space

Thursday 11:30-12:45 Begins 2/15

Join CAPS and SHS staff members for an encouraging, supportive lunch group. If you struggle to navigate meal times, and are looking for a space to eat in community with others who experience a similar challenge, this group will provide a mindful and nonjudgmental space to do so. Meals may be accompanied by: Taylor Swift listening parties, mindfulness activities, and some humor when needed. Led by: Amy Sercel, RD and Mollie Gribbin, M. ED

Finding Your People: Cultivating Healthy Relationships

Fridays 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/1, 3/8, 3/22 3:30-5:00

Do you experience social anxiety, feel mistreated in your relationships, overcommit yourself, struggle to recharge your social battery, avoid saying “No,” or constantly worry about what others think of you? If so, join a supportive group of your peers to learn skills for identifying your feelings and needs, setting boundaries to reduce resentment and increase your enjoyment of others, and recognizing healthy relationship patterns. This group is most appropriate for students who have attended UVM for at least one academic year. Facilitated by Miki Beach, MSW

group icon with figures holding hands

"I really enjoyed group so much that I think that it helped me not need individual therapy as much."

"This was an extremely rewarding experience. I learned a lot about myself and other students and have goals to work on after group."

Interested in group therapy?

Call CAPS at (802) 656-3340 for more information.