Dear Students,
The Office of Counseling & Psychiatric Service (CAPS) offers a range of groups and workshops to support students’ wellness. Please see the various offerings below.
Every Hoya Cares
For additional information on mental health and wellbeing resources on campus, including HoyaWell virtual counseling options, visit the Every Hoya Cares website.
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.
Directions for In-Person Groups & Workshops
Please note: 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:
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 Halls 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.
General Groups
(open to students from all campuses)
Support Space for International Students
Virtual, Biweekly
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
Facilitators: Tanisha Pelham, Ph.D. and Chao Song, Ph.D.
This group is intended to serve as an affinity space for Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) – identifying students 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. Mosaic is open to all students. To register, please email: tp653@georgetown.edu or cs2022@georgetown.edu
Coping with Loss
Group 1
Virtual, Weekly Fridays at 2:00 PM-2:50 PM
Facilitators: Amy Sproul, Psy.D. and Natalie Simpson, M.A.
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 nbs65@georgetown.edu
Group 2
Facilitators: Aida Gruden, Psy.D. and Carmella Asparrin, M.Psy.
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: ag2414@georgetown.edu or cla96@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
Virtual, Weekly Fridays at 1:45 PM
Facilitators: Glory Finnegan, Psy.D.
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
LGBTQIAP+ Support Group
In-Person, Drop-In, Tuesdays at 1:00-2:00PM
Facilitator: Helen Rathbun, Psy.D. (she/they)
The group aims to provide a safe and confidential place for those looking to discuss topics like sexual orientation, gender expression, 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 LGBTQIAP+ community. If you’re interested in joining please reach out to Dr. Helen Rathbun at hdr12@georgetown.edu
Trans and Non-Binary Support Group
In-Person, Drop-In, Wednesdays at 2:00-3:00PM
Facilitator: Helen Rathbun, Psy.D. (she/they)
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 1 & 2
Facilitators:
Group 1:Engin Ontiveros, Ph.D. and Aida Gruden, Psy.D.
Group 2:Engin Ontiveros, Ph.D. and Shanice Anderson, Psy.D.
Undergraduate Student Group
Facilitators: Tanisha Pelham, Ph.D. and Carmella Asparrin, M.Psy.
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. To register – Grad students, please email: ee270@georgetown.edu, ag2414@georgetown.edu or sa2058@georgetown.edu ; Undergrads, please email: tp653@georgetown.edu or cla96@georgetown.edu
DBT skills Group
Glory Finnegan, Psy.D. and Aida Gruden, Psy.D.
Do you struggle to manage your emotions? Do you often feel like you’re ineffective in relationships? Do you ever feel like you are engaging in behaviors that are hurtful, and unhelpful? You’re not alone! This Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) based group teaches practical tools and skills to deal with life’s challenges. This group will center around learning to be fully present in the moment, managing big emotions effectively, handling distress without making a given situation worse, and improving relationships. To register, please email: gf351@georgetown.edu or ag2414@georgetown.edu
Medical Center Groups
The Elephant in the Room: Process Group for Biomedical Graduate Education Students
Facilitator: Jade Sanders, Ph.D.
This process group will provide a safe space for students who are underrepresented in their fields. The group will serve as an outlet to process any emotions and difficulties that may arise in the education journey, such as feelings of imposter syndrome, isolation and career dissatisfaction. This space will also allow students to support and validate one another as peers. It will meet once a month either during the lunch hour or at 5 p.m. To register, please email: js5048@georgetown.edu
Care for the Caregivers Process Group
Facilitator: Jade Sanders, 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
Law Center Groups
Interpersonal Mindfulness
In-person, Weekly Thursdays at 1:00 PM
Facilitators: Lauren DePompeo, Psy.D. and Jerimi Vindua, Psy.D.
This group is designed for law students who are interested in using mindfulness to increase self-acceptance and relate more comfortably 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: lrd52@georgetown.edu and jv734@georgetown.edu
Interpersonal Mindfulness
Virtual, Weekly Fridays at 10:00 AM
Facilitators: Amy Sproul, Psy.D. and Shanice Anderson, Psy.D.
This group is designed for law students who are interested in using mindfulness to increase self-acceptance and relate more comfortably 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: ags111@georgetown.edu and sa2058@georgetown.edu
Mosaic: Law Center
Facilitators: Jerimi Vindua, Psy.D. and Shanice Anderson, Psy.D.
This group is designed for Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) identifying students and allies to cultivate strength through solidarity and connection. Mosaic for Law Students will provide a space for members to discuss issues and experiences unique to BIPOC law students. Mosaic is open to all students. To register, please email: jv734@georgetown.edu and sa2058@georgetown.edu
Workshops
(open to students from all campuses)
Please note: Unless otherwise stated, All CAPS workshops will be held on Thursdays, from 3-4 p.m. in-person at the Hilltop 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: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Dates: 1/25/2024; 2/22/2024; 4/4/2024; In-person
5/2/2024 Virtual (Via Zoom)
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: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Dates: 2/1/2024 In-person
2/29/2024 & 4/11/2024 Virtual (Via Zoom)
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: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Dates: 2/8/2024; 3/14/2024 In-person
4/18/2024 Virtual (via Zoom)
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: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Dates: 2/15/2024; 3/21/2024; 4/25/2024
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.