Groups and Workshops

• Common Reactions and Myths About Group Therapy

  I’m nervous about being in a group setting.

  Initial nervousness about participating in a group setting is not only normal but expected. That nervousness typically goes away after the initial sessions. Participation is encouraged, but you do not have to share. Also, you remain in control of when and how much you share.

  I’m not very talkative, so I don’t have much to gain in group therapy.

  One of the many benefits of group therapy is the ability to learn and grow from experiences that others share with the group. You do not have to share much to gain valuable knowledge, skills and the sense of belonging that groups can provide.

  For some people it can be very difficult to talk about mental health and other personal information. If you are one of those people, group therapy provides a safe environment for you to share your experiences with support from both a professional counselor and your peers.

  Individual counseling will help me the most.

  Group counseling has become wildly popular with college students due to group members finding commonality in their struggles and collegiate life. Many issues college students face are not shared by the general population, and it can be insightful and empowering to learn, bond and grow through shared experiences. Because of these shared experiences and the relational framework, group therapy can be more effective than individual counseling, depending on your specific needs.

  I’m concerned about confidentiality.

  Group therapy members are asked to maintain confidentiality about what is shared by others in the group.

• Why group?

  Students at Clemson share the common stressors of academia, family difficulties, relationship difficulties, life transitions, socializing and much more. Participation in group therapy and workshops allows you to take charge of your mental health and your life with support from other people who can understand your experiences. Group settings can be a cathartic bonding experience that provides healing and empowerment through mutual understanding and support.

• How can I get involved in a group?

  Call CAPS at 864-656-2451 to conduct a brief phone screen and schedule an assessment. Upon initial assessment, be sure to inform your counselor of your desire to engage in group services. The schedule and descriptions of the groups offered at Clemson can be found below.

• ACTT Groups

  Choices

  Choices is a group for students whose use of alcohol or other drugs has impacted their life functioning or interfered with accomplishing their goals. This group provides information and promotes dialogue about substance use and making responsible choices.

  
  

  Catalyst

  Catalyst is a group for students who drug use has resulted in problems in their life on an academic, personal and/or judicial level. Group sessions focus on triggers to using, increasing social support and positive activities, and decreasing risk of future problems.

  
  

  Changes

  Changes is a group for students whose use of alcohol and/or other drugs has resulted in problems in their life on an academic, personal and/or judicial level. This group involves discussion about how the use of alcohol and/or other drugs impacts their lives, how to abstain or moderate from their use.  Issues related to personal growth and wellness are also addressed.

• Continuum (LGBTQ Support Group)

  Identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered can be challenging at times. Are you worried about telling others or having others find out? If you are experiencing any problems or concerns related to being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, or questioning and would like to talk to others dealing with similar issues in a safe environment, this support group can help.

   

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

  Skills learning is the focus of this group. Through a series of four modules, you will systematically learn skills that will help you accept yourself while challenging yourself to change. You learn skills in mindfulness and skills to tolerate emotional distress without letting it overwhelm you. Then, you learn skills to regulate your emotions and to increase your interpersonal effectiveness. Students in this group will also be involved in individual therapy concurrently. The time commitment in session is 2.5 hours/week. 

• Incoming

  This group is designed to help provide support to you through difficulties you’re experiencing with your transition into student life at Clemson. These difficulties could include homesickness, meeting friends and more. This group empowers you to adjust to Clemson through processing life changes, getting involved on campus and normalizing your experiences with other group members.

  
  

  How do I know if I am a good fit?

  You are experiencing homesickness, loneliness and/or difficulty adjusting that has impeded with your ability to engage fully and thrive during your first year at Clemson.

• MOSAIC

  Undergraduate and graduate students who identify as Black, Indigenous and/or Person Color (BIPOC) are invited to attend MOSAIC. The purpose of this group is to provide a safe place of support for students of minoritized/marginalized backgrounds to meet and openly discuss concerns and topics of choice (e.g., recent local and national sociopolitical events, common stressors for minoritized students in higher education, effects of stressors on mental health, etc.).

   

• Personal Growth Groups

  This therapy group offers participants the opportunity to work on their individual concerns in a group setting. Each group member defines their desired area of growth and the group setting lends itself for participants to learn and practice emerging skills, share experiences, take risks and gain confidence. One learns to trust and be trusted. Care is taken to challenge group members while providing much support. 

   

• Recovering Perfectionists

  This group is for students who are wanting to challenge/change their relationship with perfectionism. The group will provide support, connection and new ways to cope for those who strive to be perfect. If you struggle to accept that you are human, this group is for you.

• Thrive

  This trauma-focused group offers participants an opportunity for recovery from complex and developmental traumas. Many survivors feel that all hope for healing is lost; however, recovery is possible. This group focuses on help from a peer level to not only heal from trauma, but also know you’re not alone in the fight.

Skill Building

• Refuge

  This trauma-focused group offers participants an opportunity to build and gain coping skills. The goal is for clients to reduce intense emotions and better regulate emotions prior to processing trauma memories.

Workshops

• Tranquility

  This workshop is designed to empower you to address symptoms of anxiety and depression by processing what causes you to get “stuck” and helping you develop healthy coping mechanisms to mitigate symptoms. This workshop helps increase self-confidence by giving you the skills you need to manage your symptoms so that you can focus on creating your ideal college experience.

  
  

  How do I know If I am a good fit?

  You experience mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety or depression that have caused a disruption in your relationships, ability perform well academically, or inhibited you from enjoying your life to the fullest.