Groups

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.  

  1. 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.  
  2. 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. 
  3. 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 2026 Clinical Groups

To learn more about our groups or to sign up, please follow these steps:

  1. Sign into the student portal 
  2. Select the Groups/Workshops menu 
  3. 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.

ACT Mindfully

Tuesdays, 2:30-3:45 p.m., beginning 10/13, via HIPAA-compliant Zoom

Join Mental Health Provider Anja Bircher, PsyD 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.  

Space is limited; RSVP is required. Register through your student portal. 

For questions or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Dr. Anja Bircher at [email protected].

Shy Who? ... Conquering Social Anxiety

Wednesdays 2 - 3 p.m., beginning 10/14  

  • 10/14 & 10/21 via HIPAA-compliant Zoom 
  • 10/28 & 11/4 in-person at Parnassus 

Join Mental Health Provider Winifred Wu, LCSW for a 4-session group that aims to help you learn strategies to increase awareness of your own experience with social anxiety, develop an understanding of how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors all contribute to your experience, and how to use calming/relaxation techniques to gently confront social situations and feel less anxious in them.  

Space is limited; RSVP is required. Register through your student portal. 

For questions or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Winifred Wu at [email protected].

Fall 2026 Outreach Groups

Black Joy Connection

Twice monthly on Thursdays, 2 - 3 p.m. / via HIPAA-compliant Zoom / Oct. 8, Oct. 22, Nov. 5

In-Person Social: Nov. 19 @ Mission Bay, 2 - 3 p.m. / Food provided

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 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.

register to attend zoom sessions or in-person social

For questions or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Dr. Nicole Reinosa at [email protected].

True Selves

Wednesdays, 12 - 1 p.m. / In person at Parnassus / Lunch is provided

Fall sessions:

  • September 16: Building Community 
  • October 28: Knowing Our Histories 
  • November 18: Navigating Queerness in Our Environments 
  • December 9: Liberation 

True Selves is a support group and open space to process, explore, and share stories about LGBTQ+ experiences as a learner at UCSF. Explore your intersecting identities and honor the diversity of our community. Build resilience and empower one another.  

Register to attend

For questions or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Dr. Anja Bircher at [email protected].