We are excited to offer a wide range of services to meet students’ needs. Students interested in participating in a workshop are invited to visit Engage to register. Please call 573-882-6601 for more information on classes and groups.
About Group Therapy
Group therapy is a powerful way to address a wide array of issues that are a part of a college student’s reality. Through connecting and healing as a group students can:
- Address current concerns impacting their day-to-day lives.
- Connect with similar life experiences and outlooks.
- Learn and try new behaviors.
- Increase self-awareness.
Most groups are limited to 10-12 people and run from 6-14 weeks. It is important to attend every session of your group and to do any homework between groups. Most groups offer a pre-group meeting with group leaders to assess the fit of the group for a student’s specific needs.
It is common to feel anxious when thinking about joining a group. It can feel difficult to share personal thoughts and concerns with others, particularly when you begin as “strangers.” Once the group progresses, you will likely develop trust and feel more comfortable participating in the group. Learning about yourself in group therapy usually has a positive effect on your relationships and can improve your quality of life.
Summer 2024 Groups and Classes
Please note, most groups fill early in the semester and will not accept new members until the next semester. However, some groups remain open. If you are interested in participating in a group or class, please contact the MU Counseling Center (573-882-6601) to schedule a brief screening.
This open support group serves as a way to openly engage in dialogues around what it means to be a person of color on this campus. This group serves to empower students and help them recognize that there are other individuals that share similar experiences. POC group ultimately serves as an outlet for people of color to come together weekly in order to enhance their success at Mizzou. These groups will remain open to new members as the semester progresses as long as group membership has not maxed out.
Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m. | Led by Dr. Devon Isaacs & Dr. Jason Edwards
This open group is intended to help international students find support and help as they adjust to life and academic work in the U.S. Each week, there will be a new theme for discussion. These themes will be based on various challenges that international students typically tend to encounter, such as getting connected to Mizzou, the impact of mental health on financial and academic concerns, and navigating academic and professional relationships in the U.S.
Thursdays, 3-4:30 p.m. | Led by Dr. Marguerite Yoder & Dr. Nathan Booth
This open support group is for LGBTQ (and questioning) students to explore, understand, and celebrate their identities. Students do not need to have made any particular “progress” toward coming out and/or transition to be in this group – this is a space to honor everyone’s unique experiences and journeys. Topics discussed will depend on group members’ needs, but may include identity exploration and self-definition, cultivating identity pride, coming out, social and medical gender transition, dating, family experiences, dysphoria, navigating hetero- and cisnormative spaces, and just enjoying being with other queer people.
Thursdays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Led by Dr. Kerri Schafer
These are process oriented groups helping members with interpersonal skills, increased expression of emotion, understanding social dynamics, and gaining a greater awareness of one’s self. Members will have a safe place to explore feelings and thoughts, give and receive support and feedback, and practice healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.
Tuesdays, 2-3:30
Skills Class
Skills classes are focused on developing a particular skill or learning to manage a specific challenge. Our classes range from one to four weeks. Topics that may be addressed in skills classes include managing symptoms of anxiety, self-compassion, quieting your inner critic, self-care, or managing stress. Classes are offered to students when learning specific skills is likely to significantly improve their well-being and day to day functioning. Classes are scheduled throughout the semester.
The anxiety class is a 4-week classroom-like course designed to help students develop coping skills for anxiety symptoms. Students will increase their knowledge of anxiety, its causes and symptoms and will learn and practice new skills to aid in building self-mastery and confidence.
Tuesdays, 1-2 p.m. | Wednesdays, 3-4 p.m.
The A.D.D. class is a 6-week classroom-like course designed to help students develop coping skills for difficulties in attention, concentration, time management, organization, and improving their overall diligence. Students will increase their knowledge of attention, concentration, how they can adjust their implicit organization skills, and effectively use adaptive/technological resources to help them reach their full academic potential. Each round of A.D.D. consists of four independent classes. Students are welcome to join the current round and continue until they’ve completed all four classes. The classes are primarily discussion-based to help students reflect on how they can effectively incorporate the skills and tools presented to them into their daily lives.
Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m.
Safety in numbers
Group therapy offers a supportive environment for Mizzou students. Hear from current students about their experience with support groups and skills classes.