Group Therapy Services

Here at the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CCPS), we offer process groups, support groups, and skills and educational groups to meet the diverse needs of Wash U students. Please read on for helpful information about group therapy and our semester offerings.

Our CCPS Groups Coordinator, Dr. Kristin Miserocchi, is happy to answer any additional questions you may have about our group services.

What is Group Therapy and How Does it Work?
Group therapy is a form of treatment in which a small group of people (6-12) come together, under the guidance of a trained mental health professional, to help themselves and others with current issues in their life. It is a very effective and well-researched form of treatment for a wide variety of relationship, emotional, and psychological issues.

Group therapy is often more powerful or just as powerful as individual therapy, especially for many of the problems that college and graduate students face. Group therapy is a supportive place to experiment with new ideas and ways of being. The power of group therapy lies in the opportunity to connect and grow by: developing trust, building intimacy, communicating empathy, working through conflicts, practicing new ways of relating to others, and opening up about your struggles.

Common Misconceptions

“I have so much trouble talking to people. I’ll never be able to share in group.”

Most people are initially anxious about talking in group. Almost without exception, however, new members find that the group process draws them in within a few sessions, and they begin to share with the group in ways they never anticipated. New members also begin to feel validated in their struggles, knowing that others are supporting them. This experience helps significantly reduce anxiety around sharing in group.

“I will be pressured to share my deepest thoughts and feelings with the group.”

You control what, how much, and when you share with the group. We encourage you not to share what you are not ready to disclose. Many group members find that when the group feels safe enough to share what they are most apprehensive about, the group can be very helpful and affirming. At the same time, you also benefit by listening to others and thinking about how their thoughts might apply to you.

“Group therapy is second-best to individual therapy.”

Group therapy has been recommended to you because your counselor believes that it is the best way to address your concerns. Group therapy is not used at MHS as a means of dealing with individual therapy overflow. Rather, we recommend group therapy when we believe it is the most effective treatment method to help you. In fact, group is frequently the treatment of choice, and, is in many ways, the very best of what we have to offer.

“Group therapy will take longer than individual therapy because I will have to share the time with others.”

Group therapy is often more efficient than individual therapy, for two reasons. First, you can benefit from the group even during sessions when you say little, but listen carefully to others. You will find that you have much in common with other group members, and as they work on a concern, you can learn more about yourself.

Secondly, group members will often bring up issues that strike a chord with you, but you might not have been aware of, or brought up by yourself. Therefore, learning from others can be a powerful therapeutic experience and often enhances the work.

“I will be judged, criticized, or verbally attacked by the leaders and by other group members.”

It is very important that group members feel safe. Group leaders are there to create a safe environment for all involved. We understand that feedback is often difficult to hear, from leaders and members alike. As group members come to trust the group, they generally experience feedback, and even confrontation – as if it were coming from a good friend. One of the benefits of group therapy is the opportunity to receive feedback from others in a supportive environment.

It is rare to find friends who will gently point out how you might be behaving in ways that hurt yourself or others, but this is precisely what group can offer. This will be done in a respectful, gentle way, so that you can hear it and make use of it.

*Thanks to the IL State University Counseling Services for permission to use this content.*

How to Participate
If you are new to MHS, the first step is to schedule a 30-minute initial consultation. The purpose of the conversation is to clarify and assess your needs, and explore options for next steps, which may include a recommendation to participle in our groups program as a first step of service. You can web-book this appointment via the Student Portal.

If you have been seen previously at MHS, you can do any of the following: 1) reach out to your current/former mental health provider for more information via Student Portal, 2) contact the Mental Health Coordinator (mhscoordinator@wustl.edu or 314-935-6695), or 3) reach out directly to the leader of the group in which you are interested.

Spring 2024 Group Offerings

Process-Oriented Groups

Process groups are unstructured group spaces focused on learning more about self in relation to others through here-and-now interactions with other group members. These groups are ideal for anyone struggling in their interpersonal life, for any reason. In these groups, there are opportunities to:

  1. Build intimacy with others through mutual vulnerability and openness.
  2. Experiment with different ways of interacting with others.
  3. Receive feedback, so you know how you impact others.
  4. Give feedback, so you can learn how to better communicate your reactions, feelings, and thoughts.

Lavender Circle (for LGBTQIA+ identified and questioning students)
Kristin Miserocchi, PhD
Meeting Time: Tuesdays 2-3:30 p.m., in-person

Lavender Circle Spring 2024 Flyer (PDF)

团体咨询 (Mandarin Process Group)
雷雨佳博士 (Yujia Lei, PhD) & 王珍妮博士 (Zhenni Wang, PhD)
会议时间待定 (Every Thursday) 1-2:30 p.m.

Group is FULL – Contact Kristin to be added to the waitlist.

Mandarin Process Group Spring 2024 Flyer (PDF)

Understanding Self and Others – For Graduate/Professional Students
Yujia Lei, PhD & Kristin Miserocchi, PhD
Meeting Time: Wednesdays 1-2:30 p.m., in-person

Group is FULL – Contact Kristin and Yujia to be added to the waitlist.

USO Graduate Students Spring 2024 Flyer (PDF)

Understanding Self and Others – For Undergraduate Students
Kristin Miserocchi, PhD & Jessica Schenk, LCSW
Meeting Time: Fridays 1-2:30 p.m., in-person

Group is FULL – Contact Kristin and Jessica to be added to the waitlist.

USO Undergraduate Students Spring 2024 Flyer (PDF)

Skills Groups and Workshops

These structured groups are educational in nature, focused on teaching you skills to help overcome your problems. In some cases, you will be assigned homework between sessions, to give you an opportunity to practice what you are learning in these groups.

ADHD Management
Jessica Anderson, MA, LPC & Zhenni (Jennie) Wang, PhD
Fridays 10:00-11:30 a.m.

No formal diagnosis required! A 6-week skills group focused on members’ experiences with attentional difficulties, with opportunities to learn skills to cope with feeling overwhelmed, procrastinating, getting distracted, and struggling with organization. Session 2 begins March 22.

ADHD Skills Spring 2024 Flyer (PDF)

Boundary Skills Group
Susan Rosse, PsyD & Melissa McKenna, MA, LPC
Meeting Time: Thursdays 2:30-4 p.m.

Learn more about “healthy boundaries” – how they help with work-life balance, help us deal with “toxic” people, and the role boundaries serve in our relationships.  Learn how to identify your boundaries, set them, and maintain them. Will start February 29 and run for 4 weeks.

Boundary Skills Spring 2024 Flyer (PDF)

Support and Specific Themed Groups

These semi-structured and unstructured groups are comprised of people facing common issues. Through vulnerability and the sharing of struggles, members have the opportunity to give and receive support and validation.

Dissertation Support Group
Karolyn Senter, PhD, LPC
Meeting Time: Fridays 3-4:30 p.m., over Zoom

A group for PhD students who are struggling emotionally, relationally or academically in their dissertation writing process.

Group is FULL – Contact Dr. Senter to be added to the waitlist.

Dissertation Support Group Flyer (PDF)

Living with Loss
Melissa McKenna, MA, LPC Reverend Callista Isabelle
Meeting Time: Thursdays 10-11:20 a.m.

Open to students coping with the death or imminent death of a significant person. This support group is a space to express emotion, share experiences related to bereavement, and to receive and provide support.

Group is CLOSED – Contact Melissa to be added to the waitlist.

Living with Loss Spring 2024 Flyer (PDF)

My Not-So-Perfect Family

Kristin Miserocchi, PhDYujia Lei, PhD
Meeting Time: Fridays 10-11:20 a.m., in-person

A supportive and safe space to gain insight into how abusive and toxic family dynamics impact how you view yourself, how you view the world, and how you relate to others. Open to all students.

Group is FULL – Contact Kristin and Yujia to be added to the waitlist.

My Not-So-Perfect Family Spring 2024 Flyer (PDF)