Sometimes the most effective type of therapy for a particular concern is group therapy rather than one-on-one individual therapy. Group therapy is one of the most effective treatments to help with feelings of loneliness and isolation. It can provide the opportunity to engage with peers who share a similar challenge or goal related to their mental health. Together with a facilitating therapist, group members can exchange support, encouragement, questions, and feedback in a safe space.
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy where a small group of individuals come together under the guidance of a trained therapist to share their experiences, discuss their challenges, and work on their personal growth. For college students, group therapy can provide a supportive environment to address common issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and academic pressures.
If you are interested in any of our groups, or would like to know more, please call the counseling center during business hours at (206) 543-1240
Winter 2026 Groups
Monday
Beginning Mindfulness Meditation
Start Date: Anticipated 2/2/26
Time: 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Treg Isaacson
Description: A 6-week practice and discussion-oriented group that helps people calm and soothe their nervous systems, looking at different aspects of mindfulness and sharing thoughts about the practice. We look at groundedness to the senses in the body, loving kindness, self-compassion, gratitude, and dealing with difficult emotions.
If you are interested in any of our groups, or would like to know more, please call the counseling center during business hours at (206) 543-1240
Wednesday
Queer Tabletop RPG Group
Start Date: TBD for Winter 2026
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Counseling Center
Facilitator: Jamie Welch
Description: This group for participants who are navigating the Queer experience is built on a tradition of tabletop gaming as therapy. This alternative format group therapy will allow participants to build and role play characters in a fantasy setting with their individual presenting concerns in mind. Participants will develop strategies to cope with social anxiety, practice using social skills, and address other mental health concerns brought to the table by the group. No previous gaming experience necessary.
If you are interested in any of our groups, or would like to know more, please call the counseling center during business hours at (206) 543-1240
Between Cultures
Start Date: Ongoing
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:20 pm
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Sashya Clark
Description: This group is open to all UW students with intersectional cultures and identities. This is an ongoing group for students who are connected to and identify with multiple cultures but may struggle with finding a full sense of belonging to these cultures.
If you are interested in any of our groups, or would like to know more, please call the counseling center during business hours at (206) 543-1240
Thursday
ACT for Anxiety
Start Date: Anticipated 1/29/26, accepting new members until 2/5/26 or until full
Time: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Heidi Li
Description: Do you feel you overthink so much that you are stuck in your head? Do you feel that your anxiety is out of control? In this 7-week program, you will learn how to “unstuck” – to stay in the present moment and handle your anxious thoughts and feelings, while focusing on the things you find important in your life. This program is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) model, a mindfulness-based therapy model focusing on how to embrace different emotions (instead of avoiding them) and live a value-based life. Group participants are expected to attend all 7 weekly sessions.
If you are interested in any of our groups, or would like to know more, please call the counseling center during business hours at (206) 543-1240
Getting Through Grief
Start Date: Ongoing
Time: 9:00 am – 10:20 am
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Treg Isaacson & Sashya Clark
Description: This therapy group is for students to come to terms, with the support of others, to the loss of loved ones in their lives and is open to any student affected by grief and loss in their life, surrounding the death of a loved one.
If you are interested in any of our groups, or would like to know more, please call the counseling center during business hours at (206) 543-1240
Ongoing Mindfulness Group
Start Date: Begins 1/5/26
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Location: Counseling Center
Facilitator: Treg Isaacson & Elia Mattke
Description: Hour long sessions at noon on Thursdays, where experienced mindfulness practitioners gather to practice mindfulness together, in order to help decrease stress and anxiety. All Group members have an opportunity to check in at the beginning of the group session. Silent settling practice lasts about 20 minutes and is followed by guided meditation and sharing of observations.
If you are interested in any of our groups, or would like to know more, please call the counseling center during business hours at (206) 543-1240
Sukoon (with a cup of chai)
Start Date: Anticipated 1/15/26
Time: 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Location: Counseling Center
Facilitator: Mehvash Ali & Amber Pasha
Description: Sukoon means rest or calm. This group focuses on building community and honoring cultural identity while supporting each other through unique challenges emerging from families with diasporic experiences. Join us for a conversation with a cup of chai.
If you are interested in any of our groups, or would like to know more, please call the counseling center during business hours at (206) 543-1240
Feminist Process Group for Graduate Students
Start Date: Anticipated 1/15/26
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Amy Collins & Wenjia Wang
Description: This process group focuses on connection, support, and exploring the range of experiences group members have while navigating life as graduate students. Members will have the opportunity to communicate authentically and relate in healthy ways within a supportive, feminist space. This group is open to all and explores the experiences of graduate students and non-traditional age undergraduate students who identify as women, non-binary, genderqueer, or agender.
If you are interested in any of our groups, or would like to know more, please call the counseling center during business hours at (206) 543-1240
Friday
Understanding Self and Others
Start Date: Anticipated 1/16/26
Time: 10:10am – 11:20am
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Amy Collins
Description: Learn more about your relationships with yourself and others, and explore new ways of communicating and connecting in a supportive environment. Past experiences and social anxiety often affect how people feel about themselves and relate to others. USO members support each other in working toward finding healthier interpersonal patterns, feeling less alone, and sharing experiences and feedback.
If you are interested in any of our groups, or would like to know more, please call the counseling center during business hours at (206) 543-1240
Procrastination & Perfectionism
Start Date: Ongoing
Time: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Arionna Scott
Description: A weekly group for individuals who struggle with procrastination and perfectionism. This group is open to anyone who feels badly about how much they procrastinate or struggle with perfectionism.
If you are interested in any of our groups, or would like to know more, please call the counseling center during business hours at (206) 543-1240
Past Quarter Groups
These are the groups that were offered in Autumn 2025. Some of these groups will be offered in future quarters as well!
Beginning Mindfulness Meditation
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Treg Isaacson
Description: An 8-week practice and discussion-oriented group that helps people calm and soothe their nervous systems, looking at different aspects of mindfulness and sharing thoughts about the practice. We look at groundedness to the senses in the body, loving kindness, self-compassion, gratitude, and dealing with difficult emotions.
Queer Tabletop RPG Group
Location: Counseling Center
Facilitator: Jamie Welch
Description: This group for participants who are navigating the Queer experience is built on a tradition of tabletop gaming as therapy. This alternative format group therapy will allow participants to build and role play characters in a fantasy setting with their individual presenting concerns in mind. Participants will develop strategies to cope with social anxiety, practice using social skills, and address other mental health concerns brought to the table by the group. No previous gaming experience necessary.
Between Cultures
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Sashya Clark
Description: This group is open to all UW students with intersectional cultures and identities. This is an ongoing group for students who are connected to and identify with multiple cultures but may struggle with finding a full sense of belonging to these cultures.
ACT for Anxiety
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Heidi Li
Description: Do you feel you overthink so much that you are stuck in your head? Do you feel that your anxiety is out of control? In this 7-week program, you will learn how to “unstuck” – to stay in the present moment and handle your anxious thoughts and feelings, while focusing on the things you find important in your life. This program is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) model, a mindfulness-based therapy model focusing on how to embrace different emotions (instead of avoiding them) and live a value-based life. Group participants are expected to attend all 7 weekly sessions.
Getting Through Grief
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Treg Isaacson & Sashya Clark
Description: This therapy group is for students to come to terms, with the support of others, to the loss of loved ones in their lives and is open to any student affected by grief and loss in their life, surrounding the death of a loved one.
Ongoing Mindfulness Group
Location: Counseling Center
Facilitator: Treg Isaacson & Elia Mattke
Description: Hour long sessions at noon on Thursdays, where experienced mindfulness practitioners gather to practice mindfulness together, in order to help decrease stress and anxiety. All Group members have an opportunity to check in at the beginning of the group session. Silent settling practice lasts about 20 minutes and is followed by guided meditation and sharing of observations.
Feminist Process Group for Graduate Students
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Amy Collins & Wenjia Wang
Description: This process group focuses on connection, support, and exploring the range of experiences group members have while navigating life as graduate students. Members will have the opportunity to communicate authentically and relate in healthy ways within a supportive, feminist space. This group focuses on the experiences of graduate students and non-traditional age undergraduate students who identify as women, non-binary, genderqueer, or agender.
Procrastination & Perfectionism
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Arionna Scott & Amber Pasha
Description: A weekly group for individuals who struggle with procrastination and perfectionism. This group is open to anyone who feels badly about how much they procrastinate or struggle with perfectionism.
Information on this page is updated quarterly. Check back each quarter for new group offerings.
We are currently offering both virtual and in-person groups. Please refer to the descriptions of each group for details about attendance and format. For virtual groups, you will need a smartphone or computer with webcam to participate, as well as a good internet connection.
The University of Washington is committed to providing access and accommodation in its services, programs, and activities. To make a request connected to a disability or health condition, contact University of Washington Counseling Center at (206) 543-1240, at least 10 days before the workshop/event.