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University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Therapy Groups and Wellness Hangouts

Holidays

Please note: Groups that are scheduled on days that the university is closed for a holiday will not take place on that day

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Group therapy

For many mental health concerns, group therapy is the treatment of choice. Group offers several benefits over individual therapy, such as:

  • Recognizing that you are not alone, and that many other people share your same concerns, struggles, and doubts
  • The chance to learn from your peers
  • The opportunity to get feedback, support, and validation from many people, not just one therapist

Groups for fall 2022

Keep an eye on this space, more groups may be added as the semester progresses!

Interpersonal Therapy Group (The "IT Group")

Day/Time: TBA Wednesday or Thursday (day/time chosen by interested parties)

Start Date: Early October

Contact: Nik Olendzki

Feeling connected, understood, and supported are important parts of well-being, yet many people find themselves locked into patterns of communication that get in the way of connecting effectively. The IT Group focuses on practicing authenticity, openness, and mutual support in a safe setting, so that you can learn how to do so in your life outside of group and become your "best self."

Grief & Loss Support Group

Day/Time: TBA

Start Date: TBD

Contact: Nancy Harper

This is a space for students to support each other and to discuss their feelings and experiences with grief and loss.

Other offerings for fall 2022

Free guided meditation

Day/Time: Wednesdays from 12:00pm - 12:30pm (typically ends a bit early)

Start Date: Started and going strong! New attendees are always welcome, and there is no obligation to attend every week.

Contact: Kari Mofford kmofford@umassd.edu. 

Meditation is an amazing tool to help relax, focus, and live a healthy life, but it takes practice!   Nik Olendzki, PsyD and Hannah Skoff, MA from are offering weekly virtual guided meditation sessions open to the UMassD Community (students, faculty, and staff) and all levels including beginners are welcome.  Each session (including an intro and reflection after) is often less than 30 minutes. 

Trans/Non-Binary/Gender-Questioning Movie Night!

Days/Times:

September 15, 6-8pm "Transhood"

October 13th, 6-8pm "Girl"

November 17th, 6-8pm "The True Adventures of Wolfboy"

Location: The Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality (2nd floor campus center)

Contact: Nik Olendzki or Mitch Berube

Build a sense of community, have fun, and relax in a low-pressure environment while watching a movie!  The Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality and the Counseling Center are hosting a once/month movie night for students who identify as trans, non-binary, students who are questioning their gender identity, and students with other manifestations of gender diversity.  Movies will typically feature gender diversity in their actors, producers, themes, etc., and the group facilitator/facilitators are certainly open to suggestions if there's something you want to see.  There will be an opportunity to linger for group discussion/reflection after the movie for anyone interested in connecting to their peers.

More Group Therapy Info

Groups are determined based on student interest. We are open to suggestions for new groups as new needs arise. Groups run on the basis of availability, amount of interested students, and available Counseling Center staff.

  • If you are interested in a group, please contact the Counseling Center within the first several weeks of the semester, before the group starts.
  • Unless otherwise specified, all groups require signing up in advance.
  • Some groups may require a screening/orientation session before the group begins.

Workshops

The counseling center often gets involved in workshops and other events on campus. Staff, faculty, and student groups are encouraged to contact the Counseling Center with requests for specific workshops. We can accommodate most requests, and ask that requests be made at least 3-4 weeks in advance to allow us to block out our clinical schedules.

Previous Workshops include:

  • Mindfulness
  • Relationships
  • Reducing Anxiety
  • Test Anxiety/Stress Management
  • Self-Care/Work-Life Balance

For further information please contact the UMass Dartmouth Counseling Center, Auditorium Annex, Room 101 or call 508-999-8648/8650  

Emergencies Resources Appointments