The University Counseling Center offers groups and workshops for undergraduate, graduate and professional students; the sessions are open for registration or drop-in. The groups and the workshops offer support and feedback from other participants, as well as by the facilitators, providing a powerful supportive and affirming space for students to discuss challenges and build connections.
If you have questions about a group or workshop listed below, please email the facilitators.
Workshops that are open for registration or drop-in:
The Thriving and Surviving with ADHD workshop emphasizes understanding of what ADHD is and isn’t and focuses on improving work completion, time management and organization while also touching on cognitive, behavioral and mindfulness interventions.
Weekly workshops: Actively engage in skill-building in these areas in a structured, supportive environment.
Open Discussions: Ask questions about surviving and thriving with ADHD and other executive function issues, as well as follow up on skills from previous weeks. Bring your questions! A verified diagnosis of ADHD is not required for this workshop; any interested student is welcome!
Search ADHD on Anchor Link for the Zoom link.
Upcoming sessions:
- Wednesday, March 1, 4–5 p.m.: ADHD and academic work
- Wednesday, March 8, 4–5 p.m.: Wrap-up
For more information, please email one of the following staff members:
Frances Niarhos at frances.niarhos@vanderbilt.edu,
Samantha York at samantha.york@vanderbilt.edu
Vanessa Bell at vanessa.bell@vanderbilt.edu.
Anxiety Toolbox is a three-week workshop designed for students experiencing anxiety-related concerns. This workshop is open to undergraduate, graduate and professional students. Attendance at all three sessions is required, as each week builds upon the previous one. Sessions cover 1) understanding what anxiety is and how it affects us, 2) exploring how thoughts and behaviors affect anxiety and 3) developing strategies to better cope with anxiety.
Upcoming sessions:
Wednesdays: March 22, March 29, April 5
- 2–3 p.m.
Tuesdays: March 28, April 4, April 11
- 2–3 p.m.
Zoom link TBA.
For more information, please email UCC staff member Stacey Appiah-Opoku at stacey.appiah-opoku@vanderbilt.edu.
Groups open for drop-ins throughout the semester:
The Senior Support Group offers opportunities for support and connection with other graduating seniors. Whether it’s burnout and senioritis, saying goodbye or facing life after college, the hope of this group is to offer a safe space to explore these concerns. This group is open to any undergraduate senior.
- Thursday, 4–5 p.m. (virtual)
- If you have questions, please email UCC staff member Kea Brown at Krystian.elizabeth.brown@vanderbilt.edu.
The STEM Support Group is for graduate students in BRET or another STEM department. This support group will provide an opportunity to share, listen and connect with other BRET and STEM students in a safe and private space. The group will explore themes that include stress and coping, imposter syndrome, managing difficult relationships, identity, helping a friend and grief. This is an open group, and members are encouraged to join at any time in the semester.
- Tuesday, 4–5 p.m. (in person at the UCC)
- Bi-weekly until April 25
- For further information, please email Aneesa Anderson at aneesa.anderson@vanderbilt.edu or Maya Williams at maya.m.williams@vanderbilt.edu.
Coming to the United States and picking up a new language for day-to-day communication can be a lot. Navigating different culture norms, social dynamics and interpersonal relationships—the list goes on. English as a Second Language–International Student Group is a space for ESL-international students who want to provide and receive support and connections.
- Fridays at 1 p.m. (virtual)
- If interested, please email Wenzhi Pan at wenzhi.pan@vanderbilt.edu.
- The facilitator will conduct a brief meeting with interested students before joining the group.
It’s Giving Social is an eight-week group designed to support students who want to build social skills. Students are encouraged to suggest social skills they would like to work on, and the group will use activities such as role-playing and games to practice them. Topics that may be covered include ways to say no, engaging in small talk and how to ask for what you need. This group is open to undergraduate, graduate and professional students.
- Mondays, 4 p.m. (in person at the UCC)
- This group will be facilitated by Maya Williams, M.A., Ed.M. (maya.m.williams@vanderbilt.edu) and Jaya Bhojwani, M.S.Ed. (jaya.s.bhojwani@vanderbilt.edu).
Groups open for referrals:
The Continuum: LGBTQI+ Support Group is for students wishing to give and receive support around sexual identity and/or gender identity. Individuals interested in this group may identify as LGBTQI or may choose not to subscribe to any particular label or category. Continuum provides a safe, confidential and affirming environment to discuss identity, community, self-esteem, intimate relationships, family and friendships and other relevant issues.
- Thursdays, 4–5 p.m. (virtual)
- If interested, please contact one of the following UCC staff members: Kyle Shadrick at aaron.k.shadrick@vanderbilt.edu or Ash Weber at ashley.c.weber@vanderbilt.edu
- Co-leaders will conduct a brief meeting with interested students before joining the group.
The Women’s Group is a process group where participants explore their concerns about relationships, academic and work stress, problems with depression or anxiety, family, life transitions and communication, among other concerns. This exploration enables participants to work on changing their thinking or behavior patterns to make their lives work better, enjoy their lives more fully and achieve a sense of personal authenticity. In addition, the Women’s Group focuses on the ways in which women’s lives are impacted by societal gender stereotypes and the guilt and shame that can be experienced when we sense that we do not fit certain stereotypes. An important aspect of this group is the chance to explore here-and-now relationships with the other women in the group, to see how others’ experiences are like your own and to support and encourage positive change. This is an in-person group for graduate and professional students and is open to anyone identifying as a woman.
- Tuesday, 2–3:30 p.m. (in person at the UCC)
- If you have questions, please email one of the following UCC staff members: Ruth Howard at ruth.howard@vanderbilt.edu or Kea Brown at krystian.elizabeth.brown@vanderbilt.edu
- Screening is required.
DBT Group: Building Your Best Life
DBT is a skills-based group that teaches people how to identify and manage their emotions, communicate effectively in their relationships and cope with adverse experiences.
“More Than Meditation”: A Mindfulness Group. Are you feeling overwhelmed and stressed out? This may be the group for you. Mindfulness is a practice that encourages us to live in the moment, non-judgmentally. Mindfulness strategies are associated with pain management and with alleviating stress, anxiety and depression symptoms. Mindfulness can also help improve interpersonal connections. This group will consist of group discussion, experiential learning and psychoeducation. Students will increase their knowledge of mindfulness and increase their skills in mindfulness practice. Join our 10-week skills group to learn how to curb your stress and feel more centered by integrating mindfulness into your daily life.
- (Start Date TBD) Tuesdays, 2–3:30 p.m. (in person at the UCC)
- Please email Courtney Williams at courtney.williams@vanderbilt.edu or Amira Mohamad at amira.mohamad@vanderbilt.edu to schedule a brief informational meeting.
- Screening is required.