Groups are a great way for students to connect with peers, learn new skills and strategies, and grow both emotionally and educationally!
Groups are often the most effective way to:
- gain support and encouragement from others;
- gain specific skills to improve your life;
- develop relationship skills.
SMHW offers three different types of groups: (1) structured, skills-based groups; (2) support groups, and (3) process-oriented therapy groups.
- Structured groups are particularly beneficial for people seeking skills and strategies to deal with specific issues and symptoms that have been negatively impacting their daily lives, such as high anxiety, panic attacks, depression, lack of motivation, mood fluctuations, and lack of interpersonal assertiveness.
- Support groups provide an atmosphere conducive to sharing your concerns with others whose lives are impacted by similar issues. The focus is on providing a space for validation, encouragement, and mutual understanding. Support groups do not emphasize dynamics occurring between members, nor do they emphasize change in behaviors.
- Process-oriented therapy groups average 6-8 group members and meet weekly with one to two therapists for 75-90 minutes. Process groups can be especially effective for people interested in exploring their interpersonal style and enhancing their approach to relationships in such areas as trust, intimacy, anger, conflict, assertiveness, taking risks, or improving self-esteem.
Ground rules, including confidentiality, are typically established with group members to help promote trust. For most benefit, consistent attendance is strongly encouraged. Read Debunking Myths about Group Therapy to learn more about how group works.
UCSF Clinical and Outreach Groups are available only for currently enrolled UCSF students who are eligible for Student Mental Health and Wellbeing services. Participants must be located in CA to participate in groups. Groups are filled on a first-come first-serve basis.
Accessibility: UCSF welcomes people with disabilities to our events. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the facilitator(s) of the group listed below.
Fall 2024 Clinical Groups
To learn more about our groups or to sign up, please follow these steps:
- Sign into the student portal
- Select the Groups/Workshops menu
- Select "Sign Me Up" button to add* your name to the group. One of our facilitators will reach out to you to provide more information and confirm your group participation
*Note: Adding your name to the list does not automatically include you in the group. A pre-group meeting with facilitator(s) may be required. For more information about SMHW Clinical Groups, please contact Alexandra Thurston at [email protected].
ACT Mindfully
Thursdays 2:30 - 3:45 p.m., virtual beginning October 10
Join Mental Health Providers Errol Feria, LMFT and Cynthia T. Diwan, LMFT for a 5-session group featuring skills from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Through didactic and experiential exercises, you will learn how to create meaningful changes in your life by enhancing psychological flexibility, developing self-compassion, acting from your values, and learning how to live more in the present moment. Note: This group requires a pre-group meeting to determine if the group is the right fit for you.
Space is limited; RSVP is required. Register through your student portal.
*Please note: A pre-group meeting with the group facilitators is required for participation. For questions or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Errol Feria at [email protected].
Dungeons and Therapy
Tuesdays, 2 - 3:30 p.m., beginning October 8, in person at SMHW Mission Bay clinic
Role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons allow participants to take on the persona of fictional characters and to complete daring adventures across mysterious worlds. This therapy group takes the core elements of these games but also challenges you to set goals for adaptive behavior, attitude, and mindset in the real world.
In Dungeons & Therapy, you will work with Anja Bircher, PsyD to create a fantasy character that is personalized to you and your therapeutic goals. This character might excel at something with which you struggle, be the complete opposite of who you are, or be designed to help you emphasize any given attribute. Within this 5-session group of Dungeons & Therapy, you will interact with other players not only to find treasures, solve puzzles, and converse with enigmatic individuals - but also to express meaningful parts of yourself.
No previous experience with Dungeons & Dragons or any other RPG is required.
Space is limited; RSVP is required. Register through your student portal.
*Please note: A pre-group meeting with the group facilitators is required for participation. For questions or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Dr. Anja Bircher at [email protected].
Fierce Self Compassion
Wednesdays, 2 - 3:00 p.m., virtual, beginning October 30
Self-compassion is often only described as being gentle or soft, but it can also be fierce and empowering. Join Mental Health Providers Alexandra Thurston, PsyD and Cynthia T. Diwan, LMFT for a 4-session group to learn how to respond to difficult moments with an expanded view of self-kindness. Based on the work of Dr. Kristin Neff, a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, this group will incorporate discussion and review strategies for balancing tender self-acceptance with courageous action to claim power, build resilience, and improve overall well-being.
Space is limited; RSVP is required. Register through your student portal.
Note: A pre-group meeting with the group facilitators is required for participation. For questions or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Dr. Alexandra Thurston at [email protected].
Fall 2024 Outreach Groups
Black Joy Connection
Community Space for Black, African American, and African identified UCSF Students.
A Black-centered space is important to help provide a sense of safety for Black-identified students to be able to process and celebrate their experiences navigating our institution and dominant culture. This space is open to all individuals who want to uplift the cultivation of Black joy, community, support, and healing.
Mental Health Provider Dr. Nicole Reinosa, PsyD, and Ramsay Boly (Assistant Director of the Office of Restorative Justice Practices) will facilitate a Black-centered co-created space designed to support self-identified Black, African American, and African UCSF students.
Bi-weekly meetings will be held every 1st and 3rd Wed, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m., via Zoom.
Join us for our End-Of-The-Quarter Celebration on Wednesday, December 11
Mission Bay / 2100 Mission Hall @ Mission Bay, 4 pm-5 pm
**Food will be provided**
RSVP at the link below
Hope to see you there!
True Selves
Monthly Wednesdays at noon, 10/9, 11/6, 12/4
October 9: Our History, Our Present
November 6: Collective Breath Post-Election
December 4: Asexual/Aromantic Spectrum
True Selves is an open space to process, explore, and share stories about LGBTQIA experiences as a learner at UCSF. Explore your intersecting identities and honor the diversity of our community. Build resilience and empower one another. Hosted by the LGBTQ Resource Center and Student Mental Health and Wellbeing
All sessions meet in person at Millberry Union 102, Parnassus campus (virtual available by request), 12 - 1 p.m. (lunch provided!)
Register to attend
For questions, please contact [email protected].