Category: Messages to Students, Messages to the Community

Title: Fall 2023 Counseling/Mental Health Groups & Workshops

Fall 2023 Groups & Workshops

The Office of Counseling & Psychiatric Service (CAPS) offers a range of groups and workshops to support students’ wellness. Please note that, unless otherwise stated, group days, times and formats (virtual or in-person) will be determined by group facilitators after meeting with interested participants. Some groups may require group screening. Please contact the group facilitators for more details. For in-person groups and workshops at CAPS, please follow the directions below.

CAPS Groups | CAPS Workshops

Directions for In-Person Groups & Workshops

Reservoir Road to CAPS: Throughout the remainder of the Medical/Surgical Pavilion at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Henle Village construction projects, pedestrians can enter through Pedestrian Entrance 00 on Reservoir Road NW, to the East of St Mary’s and Darnall Hall to lead to the CAPS & IDEAA offices. Please note: Off-campus students (including graduate students) who don’t have access to residence halls, need to enter via Reservoir Road.

Hilltop Campus to CAPS: Proceed down Tondorf Road toward Darnall Hall which is just before Epicurean. Gain entrance to Darnall Hall with a GoCard, head to the mezzanine level and exit, turning left toward the CAPS main door. Please note: Off-campus students (including graduate students) who don’t have access to residence halls, need to enter via Reservoir Road.

Every Hoya Cares

For additional information on mental health and wellbeing resources on campus, including HoyaWell virtual counseling options, visit www.georgetown.edu/everyhoyacares/.

Note: These groups are open to all Georgetown students regardless of race, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected under University policy.

General Groups

Support Space for International Students
Virtual, Biweekly, Thursdays at 1–2 p.m.
Facilitators: Nisha Molugu, Psy.D. and Chao Song, Ph.D.

This support space is designed for international students (graduate and undergraduate) at Georgetown University. The group will be held virtually and on a bi-weekly basis with no prior screening required. The purpose of the group is to provide members with a safe and supportive environment to share their stories, experiences, challenges, and successes in navigating various systems and cross-cultural transitions as an international student at Georgetown University and in the U.S.

To register, please email: nm1035@georgetown.edu or cs2022@georgetown.edu


Mosaic
Virtual, Biweekly, Wednesdays at 2–2:50 p.m.
Facilitators: Jo Ellyn Walker, Ph.D. and Tanisha Pelham, Ph.D.

This group is intended to be an affinity space for Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC)-identifying students and their friends and allies to cultivate strength through solidarity and connection. Mosaic provides a place for group members to discuss issues unique to their experience at a predominantly white institution (PWI), including academic stress, relationships, race/ethnicity related stress, cultural values & navigating cultural expectations, values exploration, family dynamics, identity development, building resilience, self-care & community care, among other topics.

To register, please email: jw1821@georgetown.edu or tp653@georgetown.edu


Coping with Loss
Graduate Student Group
Facilitators: Amy Sproul, Psy.D. and Aida Gruden, Psy.D.

This is a group for students who have experienced the loss of a family member, loved one, or acquaintance, recently or unresolved from the past. It is designed to provide a confidential and supportive place to express and process feelings around coping with major losses and to provide support for adapting to new ways to build meaning after loss.

To register, please email: ags111@georgetown.edu or ag2414@georgetown.edu


Interpersonal Mindfulness
Facilitators: John Loughlin-Presnal, Ph.D. and Glory Finnegan, Psy.D.

This therapy group is designed for both undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in using mindfulness to increase self-acceptance and relate more to others. Sample topics include working with social anxiety, self-critical thoughts, mindful communication, and present-centered awareness. Prior experience with mindfulness or meditation is welcome, but not a requirement for participation in this group.

To register, please email: John.LoughlinPresnal@georgetown.edu or gf351@georgetown.edu


Survivors Support Group
Facilitators: Glory Finnegan, Psy.D. and Natalie Simpson, M.A.

This group is intended to support survivors of interpersonal violence (sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and child abuse) who are seeking to connect with others with similar experiences and gain insight into the ways trauma continues to affect them. This group will focus on the impact of traumatic experiences, the use of coping skills in managing symptoms, and the connection of survivors in order to decrease isolation and promote personal empowerment. Group will begin with a brief mindfulness exercise followed by an open format depending on the group’s interests. This group is open to students of all genders and identities.

To register, please email: gf351@georgetown.edu or nbs65@georgetown.edu


LGBTQIAP+ Support Group
Virtual, Mondays at 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Facilitator: Helen Rathbun, Psy.D. (she/they) and Glory Finnegan, Psy.D.

This group is welcome to undergraduate and graduate students who identify with or support the LGBTQIAP+ community. The group aims to provide a safe and confidential place for those looking to discuss topics like identity development, coming out, relationships, family dynamics, and community/university concerns unique to LGBTQIAP+ students. It is also a place to gain support, give support, and generally share in community with other LGBTQIAP+ folks.

If you’re interested in joining please reach out to Dr. Helen Rathbun at hdr12@georgetown.edu or gf351@georgetown.edu


LGBTQIAP+ Support Group
In-Person, Tuesdays at 3–4 p.m.
Facilitator: Helen Rathbun, Psy.D. (she/they)

This group is welcome to undergraduate and graduate students who identify within the LGBTQIAP+ community. The group aims to provide a safe and confidential place for those looking to discuss topics like identity development, coming out, relationships, family dynamics, and community/university concerns unique to LGBTQIAP+ students. It is also a place to gain support, give support, and generally share in community with other LGBTQIAP+ folks.

If you’re interested in joining please reach out to Dr. Helen Rathbun at hdr12@georgetown.edu


Trans and Non-Binary Support Group
Facilitator: Helen Rathbun, Psy.D. (she/they)

This group is welcome to undergraduate and graduate students who identify as trans and non-binary. The group aims to provide a safe and confidential place for those looking to discuss topics like gender identity and expression, coming out, relationships, family dynamics, and community/university concerns unique to trans and non-binary folks. It is also a place to gain support, give support, and generally share in community with other folks.

If you’re interested in joining please reach out to Dr. Helen Rathbun at hdr12@georgetown.edu


Understanding Self and Others Groups
Graduate Student Group
Facilitators: Engin Ontiveros, Ph.D. and Shanice Anderson, Psy.D.

Undergraduate Student Group
Facilitators: Tanisha Pelham, Ph.D. and Sarhand Hasan, M.S., M.A.

These insight-oriented groups provide a safe environment for exploring yourself and interpersonal style in areas such as trust, intimacy, anger, assertiveness, taking risks, and dealing with authority.

Registration

Athletic Groups

Coping with Loss
Facilitator: Erica Force, PhD, LP, CMPC and Carmella Asparrin, M.Psy.

This group is for student-athletes who have experienced the loss of a family member, loved one, or acquaintance, recently or unresolved from the past. This group provides a confidential and supportive place to express and process thoughts and feelings related to coping with major losses, and to provide support for building meaning after loss.

To register, please contact Dr. Force at erica.force@georgetown.edu or 202-687-6715.


Injury Recovery Enhancement Group
Facilitator: Erica Force, PhD, LP, CMPC

This group is open to student-athletes in any stage of injury recovery seeking support as they cope with sport-related injury and the challenges of being away from their sport during recovery. The focus will be on helping student-athletes develop goals for injury rehabilitation, rebuild and maintain motivation, develop stress management techniques, and feel prepared (emotionally and physically) to return to sport, or in some cases, transition out of sport.

To register, please contact Dr. Force at erica.force@georgetown.edu or 202-687-6715.

School of Medicine Groups

Care for the Caregivers Process Group
Facilitators: Jade Sanders, Ph.D. and Chao Song, Ph.D.

This group is intended for 3rd and 4th year students in the School of Medicine. It meets once a month in the evening and is designed to provide a safe space for students to process their experiences on clinical rotations. This space will also allow students to support and validate one another as they grow as clinicians.

To register, please email: js5048@georgetown.edu

Note: These groups are open to all Georgetown students regardless of race, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected under University policy.

Workshops

Please note: All CAPS workshops will be held on Tuesdays, from 2 – 3 p.m. in-person at the Main Campus CAPS office, located in Darnall Hall. These are all single-session, drop-in meetings – you do not need to attend on all dates and registration is not required! The workshops are open to all Georgetown students and are filled on a first come, first served basis. For more information, please email: cs2022@georgetown.edu.


Anxiety Toolbox
Time: 2–3 p.m.
Dates: Oct. 5; Nov. 2; Dec. 7
Location: CAPS office, Hilltop Campus

This workshop focuses on helping you understand anxiety symptoms and build skills to manage these symptoms. Sample topics include: understanding anxiety, unhelpful thinking styles, and recognizing anxiety triggers.


Mindful Mood Management
Time: 2–3 p.m.
Dates: Oct. 12; Nov. 9; Dec. 14
Location: CAPS office, Hilltop Campus

This workshop offers skills to handle stress, navigate difficult emotions, and cultivate self-reflection. Participants will engage in guided, experiential exercises, with an emphasis on mindfulness and distress tolerance. Prior experience with mindfulness or meditation is welcome, but not a requirement for participation.


Depression Toolbox
Time: 2–3 p.m.
Dates: Oct. 19; Nov. 16
Location: CAPS office, Hilltop Campus

This workshop is designed to help you understand depressive symptoms and build skills to manage these symptoms. Sample topics include: understanding depression, unhelpful thinking styles, and managing mood.


Stress Management Toolbox
Time: 2–3p.m.
Dates: Oct. 26; Nov. 30
Location: CAPS office, Hilltop Campus

This workshop focuses on understanding stress reactions and building skills to manage these symptoms. Sample topics include: perfectionism, sleep and mindfulness, and self-care.