Groups & Workshops

A 3-session series of weekly, 1-hour online workshops to help anybody who experiences anxiety better understand what anxiety is and how it affects you. Attendees learn useful, research-backed tools to help reduce anxiety symptoms in both body and mind. Sign up on your Cowell Health Portal. 

Option 1: Thursdays, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. during weeks 4, 5, and 6 of fall quarter (October 13, October 20, and October 27)

Option 2: Wednesdays, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. during weeks 6, 7, and 8 of fall quarter (October 26, November 2, and November 9)

A 2-session series of 1-hour online workshops to learn about the benefits of self-compassion and mindfulness meditation. Sign up on your Cowell Health Portal or email Dr. Miri Choi, Staff Psychologist, at mchoi@scu.edu. 

Self-compassion workshop would be offered on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. during weeks 6 and 7 of the winter quarter (May 10 and May 17).

This group will allow you to explore your inner emotional world, how you make decisions and interpret life's events, and how to relate with others. Especially well-suited for those interested in learning about their relationship patterns, how to interact with others more effectively, and how to build deeper and more meaningful relationships. Date/time to be determined based on convenience for interested students.

Facilitator: Dr. Sarah Rotsinger-Stemen, Staff Psychologist, srotsingerstemen@scu.edu

Option 1: Every Wednesday (Starting September 28, 2022) from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Option 2: Every Friday (Starting September 30, 2022) from 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

A weekly confidential therapy group where students can feel safe and welcomed as they explore their relationship with your body and move towards more freedom. Using a social justice lens, we strive to liberate ourselves from the systemic issues that surround us and acknowledge that we cannot fix these all on our own. Students will learn how to reconnect with their innate body wisdom so they can have a relationship with their body guided by self-compassion, intentionality, and humor. This group is open to members of all identities and all body shapes. 

Facilitator: Dr. Estrella Ramirez, Staff Psychologist, and Training Director, eramirez2@scu.edu

Email the facilitator to schedule a group screening appointment prior to attending.

Most Thursdays from 3:30 p.m.-.5:00 p.m.

An open and supportive space for BIPOC students to make connections, engage in self-exploration, and gain wisdom and energy from each other. Discussion topics will vary based on members’ preferences but may include micro aggressions, imposter syndrome, race-related stress and trauma, family concerns, and other issues related to being a person of color in this sociopolitical climate and university environment. 

Facilitator: Dr. Miri Choi, Staff Psychologist, mchoi@scu.edu

Every Friday (Starting April 14, 2023) from 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. In person at the Cowell Center.

SCQ is a place where identity/sexuality is explored and celebrated while social networks are diversified and strengthened. During the group process, members will learn about minority stress and its impact on LGBTQ+ people. Members will practice ways to combat the negative impacts of minority stress while building self-care and self-compassion. Every round of SCQ is tailored to match the specific identities/topics of interest of each member. 

Email the facilitator or sign-up via your Cowell Health portal by April 14, 2023. 

Facilitator: Clarise Ballesteros, MSW, LSW, Counselor in Residence, cballesteros@scu.edu 

This group is designed to provide a safe and supportive environment where those with difficult families can develop greater understanding of their family dynamics and how those dynamics affect them, even outside of their family environment. Topics vary per group meeting and are decided upon by the participants. Past topics have included making and maintaining boundaries with difficult family members; dealing with feelings of guilt related to distancing oneself from family; how family dynamics affect other relationships, including romantic relationships; overcoming and changing negative self-perceptions developed from growing up in a difficult family. Pre-screening required; email jwalling@scu.edu to schedule.

Facilitators: Dr. Sarah Rotsinger-Stemen, Staff Psychologist; Joe Walling, Psychological Trainee, jwalling@scu.edu

While individual counseling can be important, group counseling is often even more effective. Perhaps it is the chance to realize that what we see as our most terrible secrets or distasteful aspects are really common human experiences that is so helpful.

Embarrassment or shame keeps many people from taking advantage of group counseling. Overcoming these feelings can be an important part of living our lives more successfully. Group counseling is very helpful in this way.

Each person is unique, but as humans we have a lot in common. (We all grow up in families. We all react to hurt in similar ways. We all have the capacity to change.) While each individual’s concerns are different, the underlying issues are often similar.

Groups provide a special setting to learn about ourselves, others, and our interpersonal dynamics. This can increase our effectiveness in relationships and with ourselves outside the group. It takes time, helpful observations, and support from others to recognize and shift our ways of being.