Groups are a form of counseling that many students find to be dynamic, exciting, and effective. Support groups are meetings in which members discuss feelings and problems about a specific shared issue. The focus is to provide understanding and support, as a person heals from a trauma such as a loss, deals with improving relationships or works to manage the stress of everyday life. Past support groups at UCS have focused on surviving after sexual assault, living an alternative life style, eating disorders, and dissertation progress. Structured workshops are more educational and involve less personal disclosure.
Workshops tend to focus on enhancing some skill or knowledge.
Workshops that have been popular in the past at UCS include couples' enrichment, assertiveness training, shyness management, and stress management. In therapy groups, members engage in personal sharing and can expect to do self-exploration and to receive feedback as well as support from others. The purpose of therapy groups is to provide a safe social setting within which clients can face fears, practice relationship skills, and increase self-awareness. UCS offers a general therapy group which is open to people grappling with a range of concerns and issues. H ere are some benefits a student can gain from participating in a group or workshop.