Students

Counseling Services: CPS Group Programs

 

CPS Group Programs
Group counseling is an effective and often preferable way to address a variety of personal, social, and academic concerns.  CPS offers a wide variety of skills, support and process groups. 
See the Schedule of CPS Groups (PDF) for this semester or call CPS at 510/642-9494 for more information. Unsure about the idea of a group? Call CPS at 510/642-9494 to find out more information

CPS End of Semester Workshops

Workshops avaialble for help with end of semester stress free for any registered UCB student. Please call CPS at 510/642-9494 to sign up or to find out more information

See the Shedule of End of Semester Workshops (PDF)

 

What is Group Counseling?

Group counseling is a form of counseling in which a small number of people (usually between 6 and 10) meet together (usually for 6 to 10 weeks) with a therapist to help themselves and one another to deal with particular problems or interpersonal concerns.

We have all been raised in group environments, whether in our families, schools, neighborhoods or activity circles. These social environments help us grow and develop as human beings. Similarly, group counseling offers a group environment to meet with others to share problems or concerns, to learn new coping skills, to better understand ourselves and others, and to practice ways to offer each other feedback, encouragement and support.

Group counseling works! It has been widely used in schools and clinics for over 50 years.  In studies comparing group therapy to individual therapy,
group therapy has been shown to be as effective and sometimes even more effective with many issues.  At CPS, we offer three kinds of groups:
skills groups, support groups, and process groups.

 

CPS Group Offerings

  • Skills groups focus on the development of new coping skills and strategies to improve emotional, physical, interpersonal or academic well-being.
    (examples: Health & Wellness, Mindfulness, and Overcoming Shyness)
  • Support groups bring together individuals with one or more common issues, challenges or identities.  The group experience encourages members to
    connect with others in similar circumstances by speaking openly about feelings and concerns, acknowledging common experiences, and sharing
    resources and emotional support.
    (examples: Grad Women’s Support, Grief & Loss Support, and others)
  • Process groups focus on the development of greater emotional awareness of self and others, and deeper understanding of relational patterns.  Interpersonal feedback is an important part of the group experience and a good portion of group time is devoted to understanding and working with the relationship dynamics during the group session.
    (example: Understanding Self and Others)

If you are interested in any form of group counseling, please call CPS at 510/642-9494 to speak with a counselor.  If you are already seeing a clinician, you make speak to them about a referral to a group.  The group leaders will then contact you to see if the group is a good fit for you and your concerns.

 

Fees for CPS Groups
There is no charge for CPS groups. If, however, you sign-up for a group and do not attend and have not called to cancel 24 hours in advance, there will be a $20 no show fee.


Social Services groups and workshops:
Call Social Services at 510/642-6074 for more information. Some Social Services groups may have associated fees.

Alcohol and Drug Support Groups (PDF)

Support Groups available in the Community (PDF)

 

 


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