Group Counseling
CAPS groups are available to all eligible Penn students pending staff availability and sufficient enrollment. CAPS offers a number of different types of groups, including structured and unstructured, support and therapy groups. Some groups are organized around a specific theme, such as eating disorders, while others involve a specific population, such as undergraduate women.
Students may be referred to group at intake if the intake counselor believes that the student's needs would be best met in a group setting. This may be based upon matching the student's concerns with a group that focuses specifically on those concerns. Also, groups are perfect for students who are dissatisfied with their friend or romantic relationships. To ensure the best decision, most group leaders prefer to conduct a group intake in which one or both leaders meet with the student to learn about what the student is seeking, to give the student specific information about the group, and to help the student decide if the group seems like a good fit.
For more information about CAPS groups in general, please contact the Group Coordinator.
How Groups Work
In group counseling, 5-9 students meet with one or two group counselors on a weekly or biweekly basis. Group members share with and provide support, advice, and feedback to each other. They benefit from learning that other students also struggle and have found ways of working through similar issues. Group members also have the opportunity to try new behaviors and to develop more satisfying ways of relating to others, which they can take into their lives outside of group. In group, you are encouraged to take your own pace in opening up, and trust and safety are emphasized. Groups establish ground rules to facilitate safety, including a commitment to confidentiality.
Why Group?
-Gain Support
-Share experiences and struggles
-Receive advice and feedback
-Learn about yourself
-Try new behaviors
-Develop more satisfying ways of relating to others
What are the Ground Rules?
Group sessions are CONFIDENTIAL. Group members, like the leaders, are bound ethically not to disclose information about the group.
Regular and timely attendance is necessary for relationships to develop and for you to have sufficient continuity to get as much as you can out of group. If you truly must miss group, please let the leader(s) know as soon as possible.
Most groups have an initial commitment of several sessions. It usually takes a few sessions to open up and get enough of a sense of the group to decide if it is a good fit for your needs.
If after the initial commitment the group does not feel like a good fit or at some point you feel as though you have gotten all you need from the group, it is important that you inform the group and give the other members the opportunity to say goodbye.
You are encouraged to take your own pace in group. However, you get
more out of group if you work on the concerns that brought you to CAPS through
active participation. It is expected that it will take time to work up to
taking risks and stretching yourself in ways that will help you make the most
of your group experience.
Spring 2012 Group Offerings
Group offerings vary from year to year and sometimes from semester to semester. Groups are available to all Penn students pending staff availability and sufficient enrollment. Only a few of our groups run during the summer. To the left is a list of the groups typically offered at CAPS. Click on the group names for more specific information about the groups and to contact the group leaders. If you have general questions about our groups that are not addressed elsewhere in this section or if you are interested in a group that is not listed, feel free to contact the Group Coordinator.
Dissertation Support Group: Participation in this group provides enhanced support, structure and motivation to Ph.D. students. Topics discussed include the thesis research and writing process, setting mini goals, dealing with departmental politics, the job search and maintaining a sense of life balance.
Meetings: every other Wednesday at 10:00am
For more information, contact Margaret Fichter, PhD.
Eating Concerns Group: This group is for women diagnosed with anorexia or bulimia and for those in active recovery. The group provides the opportunity for members to support each other in exploring such issues as self-esteem and self-image, personal and family relationships, and developing alternative ways of coping with problems. The group meets once per week for typically 1hr and 15 minutes. Both undergraduate and graduate students are welcome. Concurrent individual therapy is recommended.
Meetings: Thursdyas 2:30pm - 3:45pm
For more information, contact Johanna Kulp, MSW.
Family Issues Group: Do you feel weighed down by family pressures and expectations? Are you struggling to cope with family members who have medical, mental health, or substance abuse difficulties? Would you like to learn how to set healthier limits with your family? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, the coeducational Family Issues Support Group might be for you. Join us to explore your family relationships and learn about yourself in the process!
Meetings: Tuesdays 5:00pm - 6:00pm
For more information, contact David Glassman, PsyD.
Graduate Co-Ed Group:Designed for graduate students at Penn of all genders. This group is a process-oriented group that focuses on encourages self-exploration within a cohort who wants to support each other and address issues that disproportionately affect graduate students, such as: relationship difficulties (with advisors, friends, partners, and family); academic and/or career-related stress; and personal/professional role conflict. Topics of discussion include individuals' many identities on and off campus but could also consist of issues such as family of origin issues, self-esteem, loneliness, anxiety, and depression.
Meetings: Tuesdays 9:15am - 10:30am
For more information, contact Deborah DiLazzero, PsyD.
Graduate Women's Group: This group is for women who are in a graduate or professional program. The focus is on developing self-awareness, self-esteem, and connection in the context of being a woman in academia. Topics of exploration include preserving self-esteem while coping with the graduate school experience, balancing multiple roles, dealing with sadness and anxiety, and maintaining healthy relationships.
FULL
For more information, contact Michele Downie, PhD.
Meditation Group: Make exam time less stressful and join us for group meditation: more efficient use of study time, improve concentration, decrease anxiety, improve "your edge", decrease procrastination. This is a drop-in group, come as often or as little as you like. No need to sign up. Newcomers always welcomed. Meetings: Tuesdays 5:15pm - 6:00pm,. Newcomers please come at 5:00pm for a brief orientation. Will take place on Mezzanine of our building (not the 2nd floor).
Non-Traditional Students Group: This is a supportive therapy group for non-traditional students at Penn. This may include students who are older than the rest of their cohort, students with parenting or other family responsibilities, or students with financial challenges. The group is meant to provide support and connection to students who are balancing life and work issues.
Meetings: Fridays 12:00pm - 1:15pm
For further information, contact Valerie Wilson, PhD or David Rivera.
Queer Women's Group: This group is for women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer. Members and group leaders get together on weekly basis in a confidential and affirming group, where members talk about and offer each other support on any issue that may be affecting their lives: intimate relationship, family, academics, past history, personal identity, etc. The group is not specifically focused on issues of sexuality, although such issues are discussed when relevant to group members.
Meetings: Starts 2/14/12. Tuesdays 1:00pm - 2:30pm.
For further information, contact Meghan Sullivan, LCSW.
Social Skills Group: The Social Skills group is designed students looking to enhance social skills and interpersonal effectiveness.Topics of exploration will include (but are not limited to) building awareness of social cues, addressing and coping with anxiety in interpersonal settings (including school and work), and building lasting interpersonal relationships.
Meetings: Mondays 3:00pm - 4:30pm.
For more information, contact Nathaniel Amos, MSW.
Support Group for Survivors of Sexual Assault: This group is open to female Penn undergraduate and graduate students who have been victims of sexual assault during their teen/adult years. This six-week group will offer support, psychoeducation, and collective empowerment. Weekly topics are chosen by the participants and related to recovery, the reestablishment of safety, healing, coping, and self-care. The focus of the group is to provide safety, connection, education, and support and to model relationship building. The group meets at the Women's Center on Thursdays from 4-6. The group is co-led by Jessica Mertz (assistant director of the Women's Center) and Di O'Neill (CAPS). Please have interested students contact Jessica or Di for a brief pre-group screening.
Meetings: TBA.
For more information, contact Di O'Neill, LCSW.
Relationship Support Group: This group is a co-educational, support group for students who want to learn to navigate difficult relationships or start a new relationship, and learn about themselves in the process.
Meetings: Thursdays 4:30pm - 5:30pm.
For more information, contact Geoffrey Margo, MD.
Undergraduate Women's Group: The Undergraduate Women's group offers a safe, confidential and supportive space for exploring a range of concerns experienced by female undergraduates. Participants will share perspectives on such issues as managing academic demands, handling relationships with friends and romantic partners, coping with social and family pressures and building self confidence.
Meetings: Monday or Tuesday afernoons - time TBA.
For more information, contact Allison Sonson.
Other Potential Group Offerings:
- ACOA Group
- Acquaintance Rape Survivors Group
- Chronic Pain Group
- International Student Support Group
Contact Us
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
133 South 36th Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Hours: 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday
Emergencies: 215-349-5490 (ask for CAPS Clinician On Call)
Tel: 215-898-7021
Fax: 215-573-8966
Email: caps@pobox.upenn.edu
