Groups & Skills Clinics
Group is one of the most effective tools for addressing issues commonly faced by college students. For many students, group experiences can be more helpful than individual therapy. CaPS groups and skills clinics provide a place for students to come together, share the concerns they have in common, and learn new coping skills all under the guidance of a trained mental health care professional. Most students find such groups exceed their expectations!
Spring 2025 Skills Clinics
Executive Functioning
Virtual, 3-day Skills Clinic
Tuesdays, 11am - 12pm
Round 1: Starts February 11th
or
Round 2: Starts April 8th
Enrollment ends 1 week prior to the first session or when full
This skills clinic is ideal for students with concerns related to attention/concentration, time management/planning, procrastination and motivation. We will identify goals, strengths and areas for growth for each student. Those diagnosed with ADHD might benefit from the executive functioning training provided, but a diagnosis of ADHD is not required. In fact, many people who struggle with executive functioning impairment may not have ADHD. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Erin Unkefer, PhD for more information.
Tools to Manage Anxiety
Virtual, 4-day Skills Clinic
Thursdsays, 1:00 - 2:30pm
Enrollment ends February 13th or when full
At this 4-week skills, clinic you will learn the purpose of anxiety and develop your own toolbox of skills to manage anxiety through practice. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Sara Troupe, PsyD for more information.
Spring 2025 Support Groups
Invisible Fight: Surviving and Thriving with Chronic Illness
Virtual
Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00pm
Enrollment ends March 10th or when full.
Living with a chronic illness/medical condition can be an isolating experience. This support group is an opportunity for students who experience chronic conditions (i.e. asthma, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and others) to gather in community for support and validation. It is a space to explore the challenges of navigating various aspects of our world (health care systems, academic environments, personal lives, etc.) while also caring for the self. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Erin Unkefer, PhD for more information.
Black Women's Support Group
Virtual
Fridays, 4:00-5:15pm
Graduate Students
Ongoing enrollment.
A supportive, virtual space for students who identify as Black women, facilitated by Black, female therapists. This unstructured group provides an opportunity to discuss the complexities of navigating spaces within and outside of CMU as a Black woman. Group members identify the weekly discussion topics depending up what is most salient for them. Students discuss and explore feelings and experiences; give and receive advice related to stress and coping, misogynoir, oppression and privilege, intersectional identities, self-esteem, relationships, colorism, family, internalized racism and other topics of interest. Meetings tend to have approximately 6 or 7 group members in attendance. It is a weekly meeting (vs. a drop-in space), so consistent attendance is expected. Everyone’s agreement to maintaining the confidentiality of other members is essential! A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Kym Jordan-Simmons, PhD for more information.
Master's Student Support Group
In person
Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00pm
Enrollment ends March 10th or when full.
The Master’s Student Support Group provides an opportunity for students to come together and discuss the unique experiences and challenges of being a Master’s student. Examples of these experiences include (but are by no means limited to): difficulties becoming socially involved in the short term frame of a Master’s program, navigating research, or managing time when it feels like there is none. Celebrating progress and milestones will also be an important element of this space and our hope is for students to also be able to feel encouragement and warmth from one another. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Adrijana Vukelic, MSCP for more information.
Ph.D. Student Support Group
Virtual
Mondays, 6:30-7:30pm
Ongoing enrollment.
The PhD Support Group offers space to confidentially discuss the stressors and challenges of navigating relationships with advisors and peers, academic milestones, academic hazing, low motivation, struggles with self-confidence, and efforts to lead a more balanced life. Group members typically share their experiences, offer and receive support and connect with others during group meetings. The group is able to accommodate no more than one student per program/lab. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Kym Jordan Simmons, PhD for more information.
Black Girl Bliss Support Group
Fridays, 4:00-5:15pm
Enrollment ends March 10th or when full.
A supportive space for students who identify as Black women, facilitated by Black, female therapists. This unstructured group provides an opportunity to discuss the complexities of navigating spaces within and outside of CMU as a Black woman. Group members identify the weekly discussion topics depending on what is most important to them. Student will discuss and explore: feelings and experiences, give and receive advice related to stress/coping, misogynoir, oppression and privilege, intersectional identities, relationships/dating, racism, family structures, and other topics of interest.
Meetings tend to have approximately 6 to 8 group members in attendance. It is a weekly meeting (vs. a drop-in space), so consistent attendance is expected. Everyone’s agreement to maintaining the confidentiality of other members is essential! Contact Kim Stokes-Mason, M.A. or London Kimbrugh M.A. for more information.
Neurospicy: Neurodivergent Support Group
In-person
Wednesdays 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Enrollment ends March 10th or when full.
Neurospicy is a neurodivergent therapeutic community and support space housed within CaPS. It provides a safer space for students across the neurodiverse umbrella to discuss their experiences traversing neuro-typical and allistic landscapes, the CMU experience, family relationships, and more. In this group, you will practice relating to others, forming connections within a non-judgemental and supportive environment. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Jayme Jenkins, PhD for more information.
International Student Support Group
In-person
Tuesdays 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Enrollment ends March 10th or when full.
The International Student Support Group is a group for students who identify with an international background who are interested in seeking support within the context of community. Adjusting to a new cultural environment, school, and status can be both exciting and stressful. This support group offers a safe and supportive space where international students can connect and share their success, difficulties, and growth with each other as they navigate CMU, Pittsburgh, and the United States. Contact Shubhara Bhattacharjee, Psy.D. for more information.
Men's Support Group
In-person
Thursdays 11:00am - 12:00pm
Enrollment ends March 10th or when full.
The Masculinities Support Group is an affinity space for individuals who identify as male and are interested in the process of self-exploration in the context of community. Group members are invited to define, question, and explore nuances of masculine identity all while giving and receiving support in a safe and accepting environment. Topics for discussion may include (but are not limited to): anxiety, relationships, feelings, academic stress, sexuality, race, power, leadership, stigma, and so on. Join us as we look to further our collective awareness and redefine what it means to be a man. Contact Shubhara Bhattacharjee, Psy.D. for more information.
Spring 2025 Processing Groups
Gender In Process
In-person
Tuesdays, 3:00-4:30pm
Enrollment ends March 10th or when full.
Accepting oneself as outside the gender binary can be a healing experience, but one that is not without challenges. As experiences of gender euphoria replace dysphoria and negative self image, identity concerns and fears related to societal rejection may become louder. The deep discussions in process-style therapy groups provide a unique potential for growth and change. In this group, we’ll explore questions like: Who am I? Am I being received as I intend? How can I manifest the most balanced version of myself? We welcome any person invested in exploring their gender outside the constraints of the binary. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Jayme Jenkins, PhD for more information.
Understanding Self & Others
In-person
Tuesdays, 5:30-7:00pm
Enrollment ends March 10th or when full.
A supportive space for students to deepen their awareness and acceptance of themselves while also having the opportunity to practice new, more satisfying ways of connecting with others. This group can help you: overcome fears and doubts in social situations, develop a better understanding of how others perceive you, identify your feelings and express yourself to others, increase assertiveness and deal with conflict effectively, and understand the connection between your interpersonal style and your emotional well-being. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Grace Wei, Ph.D. for more information.
Spring 2025 Affinity Groups
LGBTQIA+ Support & Social Group
In-person
Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30pm
Please see our Outreach page for more information on this Connection Hour.