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
Spring 2026 Groups
Monday
Beginning Mindfulness Meditation
Start Date: Anticipated 3/30/26
Time: 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Treg Isaacson
Description: A 6-8 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.
Wednesday
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.
Thursday
Queer Tabletop RPG Group
Start Date: TBD for Spring 2026
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Counseling Center
Facilitator: Jamie Welch
Description: This therapy group for students navigating the Queer experience uses tabletop gaming as a creative way to build coping skills, practice social interaction, and explore mental health concerns through role play in a fantasy setting. No prior gaming experience is needed.
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.
Feminist Process Group for Graduate Students
Start Date: 4/09/26
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Amy Collins & Wenjia Wang
Description: This process group offers connection and support in a welcoming, feminist space for all graduate and non-traditional undergraduate students. Members can communicate authentically and explore shared experiences as women, non-binary, genderqueer, or agender.
Ongoing Mindfulness Group
Start Date: Ongoing
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Location: Counseling Center
Facilitator: Treg Isaacson
Description: Join hour-long mindfulness sessions Thursdays at noon to reduce stress and anxiety. Sessions include a brief check-in, 20 minutes of silent practice, guided meditation, and sharing observations.
ACT for Anxiety
Start Date: Anticipated 4/23/26
Time: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Heidi Li
Description: Struggling with overthinking or uncontrollable anxiety? In this 7-week program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), you’ll learn mindfulness skills to manage anxious thoughts, stay present, and live according to your values.
Sukoon (with a cup of chai)
Start Date: Ongoing
Time: 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Location: Counseling Center
Facilitator: Mehvash Ali
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.
Friday
Understanding Self and Others
Start Date: Anticipated 4/10/26
Time: 10:10am – 11:20am
Location: Remote over Zoom
Facilitator: Amy Collins
Description: Explore your relationships with yourself and others in a supportive environment. USO members work together to build healthier interpersonal patterns, reduce isolation, and share experiences and feedback.
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.
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.
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 supports Queer participants through tabletop gaming as therapy. Players role-play characters while working on social skills, coping with anxiety, and addressing personal challenges. No gaming experience is required.
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 overthink or feel your anxiety is out of control? In this 7-week program, you’ll learn mindfulness skills from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to stay present, manage anxious thoughts, and focus on what matters most. Participants are expected to attend all 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 offers connection and support for graduate and non-traditional undergraduate students. Members can communicate authentically and relate in a supportive, feminist space. The group centers on the experiences of those 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.