Our Autumn 2021 offerings will be reflected on this page in September. In the meantime you can browse our past offerings below.
Support in community
This page lists several types of group support options:
- Group therapy – These are groups for UW Seattle students, in most cases those who 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 groups is facilitated by a therapist and focuses on identity, grief, mindfulness or other topics.
- Mental health workshops and drop-in groups – These pre-scheduled workshops and drop-in groups are facilitated by Counseling Center therapists 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.
- Training – We provide trainings on a variety of student mental health topics on request to interested student and staff groups. Unfortunately, given our limited capacity, we cannot guarantee that we can fulfill every request.
- Information on this page is updated quarterly. Check back each quarter for new group offerings.
COVID-19 update
All groups are running using an online videoconferencing platform. You will need a smartphone or computer with webcam to participate, as well as a good internet connection.
Spring 2021 mental health groups, workshops and trainings
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
BEYOND LABELS
Beyond Labels provides an affirming space for Queer identified students to explore personal challenges and cultivate community. Students will have the opportunity to grow their ability to be in relation with others by exploring their intersectional identities, practicing giving and receiving support, and identifying ways to engage in self as well as community-care. This group is open to all who hold a Queer identity (e.g., folx who identify as a sexual and/or gender minority; LGBTQIAP+).
Time: Thursdays, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Online
Start date: 04/08
Duration: 04/08 – 06/03
Focus: Any Queer identified graduate or nontraditional undergraduate student
Intake needed: Yes
Cost: Free
Facilitators: Alexander Shappie, PhD and Brent Stewart, MA
To register: Call 206.543.1240 to learn more
Identity & culture
BETWEEN CULTURES: HEALING FROM NOT BELONGING
An ongoing group for students who are caught between two different cultures and feel like they belong in neither or both at the same time.
Time: Mondays, 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Online
Duration: Ongoing
Focus: Students who are biracial and/or bicultural
Intake needed: Yes
Cost: Free.
Facilitator: Ricardo Hildago, LMHC
To register: Call 206.543.1240 to learn more
BIPOC GRIEF GROUP
This is an ongoing group to hold space for BIPOC folx to talk about grief and loss. As BIPOC folx, we have unique perspectives on grief and loss from our experience of colonization and systematic oppression. We want to offer this space to honor our cultures and stories, as well as provide support to our communities.
Time: Thursdays, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Online
Duration: Ongoing
Focus: Registered UW students who identify as BIPOC
Intake needed: Yes
Cost: Free
Facilitators: Hsuan Hsuan Dai and Yuxin Sun
To register: Call 206.543.1240 to learn more
UMOJI
A group that meets every other week focusing on processing and addressing cultural issues including being a student at a PWI, imposter syndrome, racism, discrimination, etc.
Time: Thursdays, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., every other week starting January 21st
Location: Online
Duration: winter quarter
Focus: Brown and Black graduate school women
Intake needed: Yes
Cost: Free.
Facilitator: Charisse Williams, Ph.D.
To register: Call 206.543.1240 to learn more
Mindfulness
BEGINNING MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION
An 8 week group for students who want to learn mindfulness and meditation skills and practice. We will look at what mindfulness and meditation are, formal and informal practices, increasing awareness to thoughts and feelings, self compassion, compassion for others, and gratitude practices, spending brief periods of time in group in silence, and longer periods in guided meditations. Very helpful for stress relief.
Time: Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Online
Duration: 3/31 – 5/19
Focus: All students
Intake needed: Yes
Cost: Free.
Facilitator: Treg Isaacson, LMHC
To register: Call 206.543.1240 to learn more
Please find more mindfulness, yoga and meditation resources here.
Skills & coping
GETTING THROUGH GRIEF
An ongoing group for students who have experienced the loss of a loved one. A warm and supportive group in which to process and share the experience of grief, to give and receive support and share ideas.
Time: Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 10:30 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
PROCRASTINATION AND PERFECTIONISM
An ongoing group for students who want to better understand procrastination and why they procrastinate. The goal is to build skills as well as greater acceptance, awareness and self-compassion.
Time: Wednesdays, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Fridays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: Online
Duration: Ongoing
Focus: All students
Intake needed: Yes
Cost: Free.
Facilitator: Ricardo Hildago, LMHC
To register: Call 206.543.1240 to learn more
Mental health workshops and drop-in groups
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.
BIPOC HEALING CIRCLE
The healing circle is a space for Black, indigenous, and persons of color to heal in community. This is a drop–in group centered on BIPOC mental health and decolonizing therapeutic practices. The healing circle is a space for those interested in community healing, anchored in ancestral healing practices.
Time: TBD
Location: Zoom
Focus: Students who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC)
Cost: Free
Facilitator: UWCC BIPOC Staff Psychologist
To register: Email counsels@uw.edu for information, to RSVP and to receive Zoom password.
MINDFULNESS FOR SELF-COMPASSION
From motivation level to stress management, your relationship with yourself has a huge impact on your well-being. Learn to be kinder to yourself and shift into a growth mindset with self-compassion.
Time: 3:30-4:30 pm Tuesdays, April 6th and April 27th
Location: Online
Focus: UW students
Intake needed: No
Cost: Free
Facilitators: Anne Swenson, PhD and Mandy Lu, PsyD
To register: Email counsels@uw.edu and we will send you a Zoom link for the workshop when available.
NO MORE SILENCE
Support group for AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) students.
Time: 1:00-1:50 pm Thursdays, April 15th through June 3rd
Location: Online
Focus: AAPI UW students
Intake needed: No
Cost: Free
Facilitators: Tomomi Ito, LMHC and Seiko Ryan, LMHC
To register: Email counsels@uw.edu and your information will be passed along to the group facilitators so they can follow-up.
OUTLASTING THE PANDEMIC: CAN’T SLEEP; TIRED BUT WIRED
Workshop to address how the pandemic has impacted our sleep, information about the sleep, and ways to manage sleep and sleep behavior.
Time: 3:00-4:00 pm Tuesday, April 13th
Location: Online
Focus: UW students
Intake needed: No
Cost: Free
Facilitator: Seiko Ryan, LMHC
To register: No registration needed! Just join the Zoom meeting at the time of the workshop and the facilitator will let you in: https://uw-phi.zoom.us/j/9409225510
OUTLASTING THE PANDEMIC: BREAKING PERFECTIONISM
Workshop to address the needs to maintain perfectionism during COVID-19.
Time: 3:00-4:00 pm Tuesday, April 28th
Location: Online
Focus: UW students
Intake needed: No
Cost: Free
Facilitator: Hsuan Hsuan Dai, LMHC
To register: Email counsels@uw.edu and we will add you to the list. The workshop facilitator will reach out via email with a Zoom link before the workshop date.
OUTLASTING THE PANDEMIC: RIDING THE WAVE OF ANXIETY
Somatic strategies for stress and anxiety
Time: 3:00-4:00 pm Tuesday, May 11th
Location: Online
Focus: UW students
Intake needed: No
Cost: Free
Facilitator: Fievel Jack Stellar, LICDSW, CDPT
To register: No registration needed! Just join the Zoom meeting at the time of the workshop and the facilitator will let you in: https://uw-phi.zoom.us/j/92525609380
OUTLASTING THE PANDEMIC: MANAGING UNCERTAINTY
Workshop to address the uncertainty being faced during COVID-19.
Time: 3:00-4:00 pm Tuesday, May 25th
Location: Online
Focus: UW students
Intake needed: No
Cost: Free
Facilitator: Anthony Aguiluz, LMHC
To register: Email counsels@uw.edu and we will add you to the list. The workshop facilitator will reach out via email with a Zoom link before the workshop date.
SELF-COMPASSION THROUGH CONNECTION
Workshop to learn self-compassion skills.
Time: 3:30-4:30 pm Tuesday, April 13th
Location: Online
Focus: UW students
Intake needed: No
Cost: Free
Facilitators: Anne Swenson, PhD and Mandy Lu, PsyD
To register: Email counsels@uw.edu and we will send you a Zoom link for the workshop when available.
Other programs
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: Fridays, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Online
Duration: Ongoing
Focus: International students who identify as queer or questioning
Intake needed: No
Cost: Free.
Facilitators: Yuxin Sun, Ph.D.
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 SOCIAL CONNECTIONS PROGRAM
This is a year where many international students finding themselves studying in the United States from home, either in your home country or your room in Seattle. This can mean new challenges you’ve never faced before. We are inviting you to Plug In to conversations about these challenges with a cohort of your peers and support each other throughout them! You will be able lend a hand to your peers, and receive support when you need it.
Time: Thursdays, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Online
Duration: Ongoing
Focus: Students who are in the United States or in their home countries
Intake needed: Yes
Cost: Free.
Facilitators: Yuxin Sun, Ph.D.
To register: If you are interested in joining, or if you would like to learn more about this program, please email yuxinsun@uw.edu
QUEER, TRANS, OR QUESTIONING
Gender and sexual identity exploration group for undergraduates who identify as Queer (both sexual or gender diverse) and/or are Questioning.
Time: Mondays, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Online
Duration: Ongoing
Focus: Students who identify as Queer (both sexual and/or gender diverse) and/or are Questioning
Intake needed: No
Cost: Free.
Facilitators: Alexander Shappie, PhD and Andrew Pereira, MS
To register: If you are interested in joining, or if you would like to learn more about this program, please email shappie@uw.edu or agp001@uw.edu
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.
