Therapy groups
What is group therapy?
These are groups for UW Seattle students who, in most cases, have completed an initial mental health visit with the Counseling Center and registered for the group as a part of their ongoing treatment plan. Each group is facilitated by a therapist and focuses on identity, grief, mindfulness or other topics. Some groups are ongoing, while others have set dates each quarter. Find contact information to sign up for each group below.
Gender & sexuality
MEN’S GROUP
The Men’s Groups at UW Counseling Center offers graduate students and non-traditional aged undergraduate students (23 and older) who identify as male a place to find support around relationship concerns and academic challenges. Most participants note that they have friends but don’t typically talk with them about personal topics. This is a unique opportunity to practice giving and receiving more emotionally focused responses with a cohort of motivated same age peers. It is a chance for men to explore their true potential in a safe, empowering environment.
Time: Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., with potential for a second group depending on interest
Location: Zoom
Start date: 10/12
Duration: Ongoing
Focus: Male-identified graduate or nontraditional undergraduate student
Intake needed: Yes
Cost: Free
Facilitators: Scott Shiebler, PhD, MSW and Jonah Li, MA
To register: Call 206.543.1240 to learn more
Identity & culture
UMOJI
This interpersonal, processing and support group was created to center the experiences and emotions of Black and Brown women. Graduate students preferred but undergraduate students will be considered as space permits. The focus of the group will be addressing concerns utilizing a multicultural and social justice lens and framework. Topics to be discussed and processed are managing stress, cross-cultural communication, communicating with advisors, the experience of being a student of color at a PWI (predominantly White institution), micro/macro-aggressions, family responsibilities and dynamics, imposter syndrome, the sociopolitical global climate, etc. Interventions to be used include support-giving, storytelling, interpersonal processing, mindfulness, play and art therapy.
Time: Thursdays, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Online
Duration: Autumn quarter
Start date: 10/7
Focus: Brown and Black graduate school women
Intake needed: Yes
Cost: Free.
Facilitator: Charisse Williams, Ph.D. and Daisy Aceves, MA
To register: Call 206.543.1240 to learn more
Support groups
FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVING: DOCTORAL STUDENT SUPPORT GROUP
Against the backdrop of a global pandemic, the challenges of juggling your responsibilities as a student, researcher, teacher, human being are particularly acute. This is an 8-week group for doctoral students across disciplines to connect with each other, provide and receive support. Topics of reflection can include imposter syndrome, burnout, concerns about “productivity”, intercultural communication, navigating demands of graduate school and the academic climate.
Time: Thursdays, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Online
Start date: 10/12
Focus: Currently enrolled in doctoral program at University of Washington Seattle seeking support from other doctoral student peers, willing to commit to 8 weeks of attendance to help develop group cohesion (Participants have the option of missing 1-2 sessions with prior communication)
Intake needed: Yes
Cost: Free.
Facilitator: Gitika Talwar, PhD
To register: Call 206.543.1240 to learn more
TIRED BUT WIRED: CBT FOR INSOMNIA (CBT-I)
This group is for students who struggle with sleep, which is often experienced as feeling ‘tired but wired.’ Group members will together learn about sleep/insomnia, engage in self-assessments, learn behavioral and cognitive interventions, and prevent relapse of sleep issues. The group members are going to support each other to make a difference in each individual’s quality of sleep. The group consists of a total of 6 weekly sessions, all members are expected to attend each session. Members are also expected to make a commitment to full participation in the group.
Time: Wednesdays, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Online
Start date: 10/8
Focus: Students who are struggling with sleep
Intake needed: No
Cost: Free.
Facilitators: Seiko Ryan, LMHC and Gitika Talwar, PhD
To register: Call 206.543.1240 to learn more
Mental health workshops and non-therapy support programs
What is a mental health workshop?
These pre-scheduled workshops and drop-in groups are facilitated by mental health counselors and open to any current UW student. Their purpose is to teach skills or discuss topics such as how to manage difficult emotions. Online registration may be required.
Keep your eyes on this page for information about workshops!
Other programs
BETWEEN CULTURES: HEALING FROM NOT BELONGING
For those who live in the borderlands between two or more cultures, being of both while also experiencing a sense of not belonging to either or any of them.
Time: Mondays, 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Online
Duration: Ongoing
Focus: Students who are multiracial and/or multicultural
Intake needed: No
Cost: Free.
Facilitator: Ricardo Hildago, LMHC
To register: Call 206.543.1240 to learn more
GETTING THROUGH GRIEF
A support group for students who have lost a person beloved to them, a place where they can come to give and receive support from others who are experiencing similar losses.
Time: Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
Location: Online
Duration: Ongoing
Focus: All students
Intake needed: Yes
Cost: Free.
Facilitators: Treg Isaacson, LMHC and Ricardo Hildago, LMHC
To register: Call 206.543.1240 to learn more
INTERNATIONAL PRIDE
International Pride is a confidential, drop-in space that centers queer, questioning, trans, bi, non-binary, and gender non-conforming experiences. This supportive space emphasizes community and connection as we process everything and anything related to culture, nationality, sexuality, and gender. Ask questions, find support, and grow.
Time: TBD
Location: Online
Duration: Ongoing
Focus: International students who identify as queer or questioning
Intake needed: No
Cost: Free.
Facilitators: Lev Cunningham, MSW, LICSW
To register: If you are interested in joining, or if you would like to learn more about this program, please email intpride@uw.edu.
PLUG-IN
Plug in is a support community for students who are from outide of US. This is a year where many international students finding themselves returning to the United States to attend school in person after attending school virtually from your home countries or your homes in Seattle! Returning to school during this time can bring fresh challenges you’ve never faced before. We are inviting you to “Plug In” to conversations about these challenges with a cohort of your peers! Come lend a hand to your peers, and receive support when you need it.
Time: Tuesdays, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Online
Duration: Ongoing
Focus: Students who are from outside the US
Intake needed: No
Cost: Free.
Facilitator: Seiko Ryan, LMHC
To register: Email pluginsupport@uw.edu
PROCRASTINATION AND PERFECTIONISM
We put off doing tasks to put off feeling the uncomfortable feelings involved, at least in getting to and beginning the task. We can learn to notice our avoidance and resistance and develop the habit of accepting, allowing, even embracing the uncomfortable feelings involved.
Time: Wednesdays, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. or Fridays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m
Location: Online
Duration: Ongoing
Focus: All students
Intake needed: No
Cost: Free.
Facilitator: Ricardo Hildago, LMHC
To register: Call 206.543.1240 to learn more
Mental health training requests
The Counseling Center, LiveWell and SafeCampus provide trainings on a variety of student mental health topics upon request to interested student and staff groups. Unfortunately, given our limited capacity, we cannot guarantee that we can fulfill every request. To review offerings and request a training, visit this page.
LiveWell Peer Health Educators are highly trained and supervised students who facilitate engaging, evidence-based workshops for student audiences on a wide range of health and wellness topics. Workshops are free and range from 40-120 minutes (typically are 60min). Topics include: cultivating mental and emotional health, skills for healthy relationships, the importance and skills needed for quality sleep, alcohol education, cannabis education, helping skills for risky situations, and supporting peers impacted by interpersonal violence.
