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.
Spring 2025 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 Winifred Wu at [email protected].
ACT Mindfully
Tuesdays, 2:30 - 3:45 p.m., beginning May 6, via HIPAA-compliant Zoom
Join Mental Health Providers Anja Bircher, PsyD and Winifred Wu, LCSW 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.
Note: This group requires a pre-group meeting to determine if the group is the right fit for you. For questions or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Dr. Anja Bircher at [email protected].
Fierce Self Compassion
Wednesdays, 2 - 3 p.m., beginning April 30, via HIPAA-compliant Zoom
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 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: This group requires a pre-group meeting to determine if the group is the right fit for you. For questions or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Dr. Alexandra Thurston at [email protected].
Spring 2025 Outreach Groups
Black Joy Connection
Biweekly on Thursdays, 2 - 3 p.m. , via HIPAA-compliant Zoom / 4/17, 5/1, 5/15, 5/29, 6/5
Two In-Person Socials: 5/29 @ Parnassus, SMHW Counseling Center, 2 - 3 p.m. & 6/12 @ Mission Bay, Mission Hall 2105, 2 - 3 p.m.
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.
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
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.
Spring sessions:
Wednesday April 23: Queer Heirlooms
Wednesday May 7: Outness in Our Contexts
Wednesday May 21: Queer Zines!
Wednesday June 4: Navigating Life Transitions
Wednesday June 11: Pride
All sessions meet in person at Millberry Union 102, Parnassus campus (virtual available by request), 12 - 1 p.m. (Lunch provided!)
For questions, please contact Dr. Anja Bircher at [email protected].