Group counseling involves a small number of individuals working together on common problems or concerns. Counseling groups may focus on a particular issue (for example, exam anxiety or relationship issues) or they can be less structured sessions that explore broader issues or student concerns.
Typically, groups meet for 90 minutes each week and are led by one or two staff counselors. Groups are offered throughout the academic year. The group counseling listing is updated each semester to reflect that semester’s offerings.
Below is a list of the group counseling topics offered this semester. For additional information about topics, leaders, meeting times and locations, please stop by the Counseling Center, contact us at 777-2772, or check back on the website since details are posted as they become available.
Facilitators: Tracy Lord, Psy.D. & Sangmoon Kim, Ph.D.
Understanding Self and Others is a weekly group in which students focus on their relationships with other people in their lives. Common concerns include anxiety in social situations, making friends, assertiveness, romantic relationships, conflict with others, and more. The group can be beneficial in several ways, including learning that other group members struggle with similar concerns, which can help students feel less alone. During group sessions, members explore how they relate to others both inside and outside of group. This insight can help build and maintain strong, healthy relationships. For more information, contact Tracy Lord - tlord@binghamton.edu
Facilitator: Dara Raboy-Picciano, LCSW-R
This group is for women, survivors of sexual trauma who are looking for a safe place to discuss concerns and impact of sexual assault. This may include trust and intimacy issues, self-blame, shame and guilt, anxiety and depression, nightmares and flashbacks and/or other concerns. If you are interested in exploring whether this group is right for you call or email Dara Raboy-Picciano, LSCW-R for a pre-group interview at 777-2772, piccian@binghamton.edu
Facilitator: Sangmoon Kim, Ph.D.
This group is intended to assist first year international students of BU in maximizing their academic achievement. Participants of this group will discuss barriers to academic success and learn how they can better address them. Each week, a different barrier will be discussed. This group is a drop-in meeting and weekly attendance is not required. Therefore students can selectively participate in the meeting based upon topic of the week. Topic of the week will be announced in ISSS-BU News (which is published on every Monday). For more information contact Sangmoon Kim - sakim@binghamton.edu
Facilitators: Patricia Rourke, Ph.D. & Kate Shinko, Psy.D.
This is an educational group that is designed to provide students with information regarding common relationship issues/problems (e.g., communication problems, negotiating boundaries, problematic patterns of interacting) as well as skills to help them to overcome these potential problems and improve the quality of their relationships. It is a group for individuals, not for couples, although we welcome students who are currently in relationships to participate and bring the information and skills that they learn from the group to any and all of their relationships. The group will begin in early Feb. and will be Thursdays from 3-4:30. For more information please contact Patricia Rourke - prourke@binghamton.edu or Kate Shinko – kshinko@binghamton.edu
Facilitator: Sefali Bhutwala, Ph.D.
Have you lost a loved one? Feel like there's no one to talk to, no one who understands? Healing and Grieving is a therapeutic support group for students who are dealing with loss, and was created to help students feel less alone, more supported, and to find hope and meaning. If you are interested in having a safe space to talk about your loss, and are looking for ways to cope, call the University Counseling Center and ask for a group screening with Sefali Bhutwala, Ph.D. For more information call the University Counseling Center at 777-2772 or email Sefali Bhutwala at bhutwala@binghamton.edu
Facilitator: Amanda Symons, M.S.
This group is for students who want to create and embrace a more positive body image. The group will meet weekly for four weeks; each group meeting will last about one hour. During these meetings, participants will engage in written, verbal, and behavioral exercises designed to help students change the way in which they think about their bodies. Each group session will typically involve education provided by the group leaders AND discussion/interaction among the group members and leader; willingness to participate is thus important. Additionally, given the short time frame of the group, students must be willing to commit to attending all four meetings. For more information contact Amanda Symons – asymons1@binghamton.edu
Facilitator: Amanda Symons, M.S.
Mindfulness meditation is a unique way of paying attention that involves full awareness of the present moment and open-minded acceptance. Research has shown that mindfulness can be used to reduce stress & anxiety, promote clear thinking, enhance concentration, and skillfully regulate emotions, among other benefits. This group is for students who would like to learn how to utilize mindfulness meditation techniques and the principles of mindfulness & acceptance in order to reduce stress. One-hour meetings for this group will be held once weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. For more information contact Amanda Symons – asymons1@binghamton.edu
Facilitator: Sangmoon Kim, Ph.D. & Kate Shinko, Psy.D.
This drop-in group aims to address challenges unique to this population in college life. Issues addressed will include connections to resources, advocating for themselves and social skills. For more information contact Kate Shinko – kshinko@binghamton.edu or Sangmoon Kim – sakim@binghamton.edu
Facilitator: Dara Raboy-Picciano, LCSW-R & Kimberly Olbrys
This group is for women, survivors of sexual trauma who are looking for a safe place to discuss concerns and impact of sexual assault. This may include trust and intimacy issues, self-blame, shame and guilt, anxiety and depression, nightmares and flashbacks and/or other concerns.
If you are interested in exploring whether this group is right for you call or email Dara Raboy-Picciano, LSCW-R for a pre-group interview at 777-2772, piccian@binghamton.edu
Facilitators: Mark Rice, Ph.D. & Amanda Symons, M.S.
Overwhelmed by your nerves . . . and want a better way to deal with them? Have you lost a loved one? This group is for students who want to learn more about anxiety and how to cope with it in a healthful and effective manner. We are currently seeking new members. If you are interested, please scan the QR code (the box) in the right hand corner of your phone (or go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/anxiousturtle ) and fill out the screener. If you have any questions about the group, stop by the Counseling Center (LN-1202) or call 777-2772.
Facilitator: Sefali Bhutwala, Ph.D.
This new group welcomes students who would like to discuss their experiences at BU as international students and who are looking forward to meeting new friends. We are a welcoming and inclusive group that aims to promote feelings of connection and belonging and welcome those who are "international at heart". We will explore typical issues that international students encounter: homesickness, loneliness, academic stress, language and communication difficulties. For more information, please call the counseling center at 607-777-2772 or email Sefali Bhutwala at bhutwala@binghamton.edu
Searching for a discreet place to talk about your sexual identity? Dealing with religious issues and your sexuality? Conflicted about disclosing to loved ones? If you are interested in attending a group devoted to exploring these concerns, please contact one of the co-leaders for the group location. Dara Raboy Picciano piccian@binghamton.edu or Bryson Rose bwrose@binghamton.edu
Feeling stressed? Need to relax? Come learn how to relax through a variety of techniques that will vary weekly, including guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, and more. All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to be part of this relaxation community any week they wish – no appointment is necessary. The group meets in the Counseling Center.
The University Counseling Center is now holding open enrollment for a specialized group therapy targeting the common problems associated with gambling. If you experience any financial stress, academic problems or interpersonal conflict related to your current or past gambling behavior, then you may benefit from this group.
This group is for female survivors of rape or sexual assault (recently or in the past) who feel this traumatic event is currently having a negative impact on their life.
This group is for doctoral students who are beyond the preliminary stage of their work and need an extra push to finish their dissertation.
This is a support group for students who have a loved one in the Iraq/Afghanistan combat zone.
This is group addresses issues of interpersonal relationships, covering a wide spectrum of concerns such as trust, intimacy, isolation, relating to others, relating to groups and loneliness.
This group explores life issues through the sharing of life stories.
Mission Meltaway is a free, 8-week jumpstart weight loss program that supports a team approach to healthy eating and increased physical activity. Meetings cover a broad range of topics including menu planning, nutrition, physical activity and behavior modification. All participants receive a physical assessment of their blood pressure, body mass index and weight before starting the program and again on completion of the program.
This non-traditional workshop helps students negotiate the rites of passage of young adulthood and how to initiate relationships with crucial life tasks, world arenas and dimensions of self. Issues addressed include love and sex, negative emotions, parents and mentors, self-empowerment, calling and character, freedom and choice, self and others, and power.
This is a 5-week workshop that explores the personal and social attitudes and behaviors that shape our eating. Sessions include lecture presentation and discussion time.
This group helps men define and forge meaningful life directions, as well as explore sacred aspects of relations, careers and self. Self-awareness will be cultivated through exploration of differences.
This group helps participants work through current issues as well as change the impact the abusive experience is having on them. The group strives to help members move past seeing life through the lens of trauma so they may regain the ability to experience joy and hope for the future.
This group addresses the needs of male graduate students who are struggling with marital or relationship issues, interpersonal conflicts, performance anxieties, professional objectives, or the completion of research or dissertation/thesis.
