Groups
Therapy groups are a safe and confidential space to share experiences, learn from others, and support your mental health.
Why join a group?
Participating in a group can be just as effective as individual therapy. Sometimes it can be the best option for certain mental health challenges. Groups are confidential, safe spaces that can help you:
- Feel less alone by connecting with others who share a similar experience
- Improve relationships and communication skills
- Learn effective strategies to deal with stress, anxiety, depression, and more
Types of groups at SHS
Groups are led by mental health providers and vary each semester depending on student interest and demand. Generally, groups fall into these categories:
- Identity-based groups that connect you with others who share an identity or experience.
- Process-based groupsΒ that help you explore emotions and feel understood and less alone.
- Skills-based groups that teach you coping skills for specific mental health challenges.
How to join a group
Sign-up online using Patient Connect:
- Log into Patient Connect
- Send a message to Groups & Workshops
- Select Groups
- In your message, include the name(s) of the group you are interested in joining
You can also call (617) 353-3569 during business hours and ask to speak with the Group Coordinator. If youβre seeing a healthcare provider at SHS, ask them about joining a group. Not sure which group is right for you? Make an appointment to discuss the options with the Group Coordinator.
Spring 2025 Groups
Groups begin the week of February 3, 2025, and run weekly through May 2, 2025, unless otherwise noted.
Arab & Muslim Student Support Group
This peer support group is a safe space for students identifying as Arab, Arab-American, Biracial, and Muslim to discuss their experiences related to their ethnic, racial, cultural and religious identities. Typical topics of discussion include:
- Socio-political conflicts
- Individual and community well-being
- Acculturation and discrimination
- Creating connection and pursuing advocacy
- Coping strategies
π
Date: Tuesdays, every other week, beginning February 4, 2025.
π Time: 4:30-5:30PM
π Location: Zoom. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by:β―Rasha Khalaf, PsyD
Asian Students Support Group
This support group is designed to create a safe space for students identifying as Asian, Asian American, Biracial and/or Pacific Islander to discuss their experiences related to their ethnic and racial identities. Topics may include:
- How to de-stigmatize mental health
- Identity
- Anti-Asian hate crimes
- Ways to validate each otherβs experiences
- Mindfulness skills will be incorporated to help cope with and manage daily stressors and emotions.
π
Date: Thursdays, meets every other week, beginning February 6, 2025.
π Time: 12:00-1:00PM
π Location: SHS, 881 Commonwealth Ave., Lower Level, BM Group Rooms A & B.
Led by:β―Aileen Lee, PsyD
Black Students Support Group
This group provides a safe, supportive space for Black-identifying students to connect, share experiences, and support one another. Join us to find support, empowerment, and community. In this group, students can:
- Discuss how events in their communities and the world impact them
- Check in and build connections with peers
- Learn skills to manage stress, advocate effectively, and grow as leaders
π
Date: Tuesdays, meets every other week, beginning February 11, 2025.
π Time: 4:30-5:30PM
π Location: Zoom. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by:β―Toni Monfort, LMHC
Building a Stronger You
This group is for students who want to develop more effective ways of coping with painful and strong feelings. The group follows a class-like format by teaching skills and inviting students to discuss ways to apply them and share their experiences. Students are encouraged to practice these skills and apply them between group sessions.
Participants will learn and practice:
- Dialectical behavioral therapy skills related to mindfulness
- Distress tolerance and emotion regulation
π
Date: Tuesdays
π Time: 3:30-4:30PM
π Location: Zoom. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by:β―Ilana Licht, PhD
OR
π
Date: Wednesdays (in-person)
π Time: 3:30-4:30PM
π Location: SHS, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, SHS Lower Level, BM Group Rooms A & B.
Led by:β―Virginia Milieris, LICSW
Building & Strengthening Relationships
This group offers a safe, supportive space for students to share emotions and experiences while building connections with others. A group leader guides discussions, helping students focus on their feelings and interactions in the present moment.
Students can also learn communication and interpersonal skills when needed. This group can help improve relationships and strengthen connections with others.
π
Date: Tuesdays, meets every other week, beginning February 4, 2025.
π Time: 5:00-6:00PM
π Location: Zoom. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by:β―Ilana Licht, PhD
Chronic Conditions Support Group
This group provides a safe, confidential, and welcoming space for students with chronic medical conditions and disabilities to connect, share experiences, and support each other. Students at any stageβwhether seeking a diagnosis, newly diagnosed, experiencing flare-ups, or in remissionβare welcome. Join us to share, learn, and build community. Possible discussion topics include:
- Coping with isolation
- Navigating ableism
- Self-identity and your condition
- Grief and loss
- Relationships and social support
- Campus resources and accommodations
π
Date: Wednesdays, meets every other week, beginning February 5, 2025.
π Time: 2:30-3:30PM
π Location: Zoom. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by:β―Ilana Licht, PhD
Creative Expressions
This group invites students to use creativity to practice self-care. With various prompts for guidance, students are encouraged to participate in the process of crafting to help de-stress and connect with themselves and others. No previous crafting/art experience is required. Materials are provided.
π
Date: Thursdays, every other week, beginning February 13, 2025.
π Time: 1:30-2:30PM
π Location: SHS at 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Lower Level, BM Group Rooms A & B.
Led by:β―β―Ilana Licht, PhD
First Generation Students Support Group
Located in the Newbury Center, this group offers a safe and supportive space for students who identify as first generation in their families to attend college/graduate school. The group emphasizes building community and sharing resources.Β Topics discussed may include:
- Navigating unfamiliar situations
- Balancing academics with social life
- Managing responsibilities and finances
- Processing feelings, such as excitement, guilt, shame, confusion and pride
π
Date: Wednesdays
π Time: 5:15-6:15PM
π Location: Newbury Center at 755 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite B04.
Led by:β―Rashidat Onuorah, LICSW
Graduate Students Support Group
Graduate students often struggle to have a space where they can authentically share their feelings and concerns about life as a graduate student. This support group is designed to provide a confidential place where you can receive support and feedback from your peers. Topics discussed may include:
- Adjusting to and leaving graduate school
- Academic and career concerns
- Coping with stress
- Relationships
- Identity development
π
Date: Fridays, ongoing
π Time: 3:00-4:00PM
π Location: Zoom. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by:β―β―Ilana Licht, PhD
Grief Group
This group is for students who have experienced the death of a loved one. Members are invited to share their experiences of grief in this safe space.β― In doing so, students will have the opportunity to obtain support from other students who have experienced similar losses, process their feelings in community, and create a sense of hope for the future.
π
Date: Wednesdays, every other week, beginning February 12, 2025.
π Time: 2:30-3:30PM
π Location: Zoom. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by:β―β―Ilana Licht, PhD
LGBTQ+ Support Group
This support group provides a safe space to explore and discuss the joys and challenges of being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning. This confidential and affirming group is an opportunity to connect with each other and offer emotional support. Students may explore themes such as:
- Relationships with family, friends, and partners
- Coming out/ being out
- Embracing identity
π
Date: Thursdays, meets every other week, beginning February 6, 2025.
π Time: 1:30-2:30PM
π Location: Provided upon registration
Managing Anxiety
Do anxious thoughts interfere with your daily life? Do you struggle with worry or avoid social situations because of fear of judgment? This group helps students learn techniques to manage anxiety, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) strategies. In this group, students can:
- Learn and practice coping skills
- Share experiences in a supportive space
- Discuss exercises to apply these skills in daily life
π
Date: Mondays
π Time: 2:30-3:30PM
π Location: Zoom. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by:β―Ilana Licht, PhD
Mindfulness Meditation
This Koru-based group is designed for emerging adults to explore mindfulness meditation. Students are encouraged to share experiences, discuss their practice, and offer support to each other as they learn to integrate and practice mindfulness skills in their lives. Practicing mindfulness helps to:
- Reduce stress
- Increase mental and physical wellness
- Improve your ability to make decisions guided by your inner wisdom
π
Date: Mondays
π Time: 5:00-6:00PM
π Location: SHS, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Lower Level, BM Group Rooms A & B
Led by:β―Aileen Lee, PsyD
Nourish & Flourish
This group is a safe, supportive space for students to share their experiences, seek support from peers, and work to overcome the challenges that come along with eating disorder recovery and body image issues. Through education, mindfulness, and conversation, students will learn to honor their body and improve their relationships with food and exercise.
π
Date: Tuesdays, meets every other week, beginning February 11, 2025.
π Time: 5:00-6:00PM
π Location: Zoom. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by:β―β―Ilana Licht, PhD
OCD Support Group
This group is for students struggling with OCD, obsessions, and/or compulsions. The group focuses on understanding these challenges, building skills, and creating a safe space for students to share strategies in navigating college and life with OCD-related challenges. Topics covered will include:
- Managing intrusive thoughts
- Introduction to Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
- Skills to address body-focused repetitive behaviors such as skin-picking and hair-pulling
π
Date: Thursdays
π Time: 4:30-5:30PM
π Location: SHS, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Lower Level, BM Group Rooms A & B
Led by:β―Anna Been, LMHC
Sharpen Your Focus
Do you struggle with concentration issues?Β Maintaining focus with so many distractions can be challenging.Β This skills-based group is designed for undergraduate and graduate students who want to learn strategies and address behaviors to improve attention, productivity, organization, time management and self-care.Β All students, regardless of having been diagnosed with an attentional disorder, are welcome to attend. Students are encouraged to practice and apply these skills between group sessions.
π
Date: Mondays
π Time: 4:00-5:00PM
π Location: SHS, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Lower Level, BM Group Rooms A & B
Led by:β―β―Cong Zhang, PhD
TRANScendence
This safe, supportive group is for students who identify as trans, nonbinary, gender expansive/nonconforming and/or gender questioning. The group focuses on becoming more empowered, improving self-care, and identifying ways to build safe and affirming communities. Topics discussed typically include:
- Body image
- Relationships
- Identity
- Social media
π
Date: Wednesdays, starting February 12th
π Time: 5:00-6:00PM
π Location: Provided upon registration
Understanding Self and Others
This group offers a safe and supportive space to explore your emotions, relationships, and communication patterns. Students can share their thoughts and feelings, receive feedback from others, and gain insight into how they relate to people. By understanding yourself and your interactions, you can build more meaningful and fulfilling relationships outside the group.
*This group requires a weekly, semester long commitment and a pre-screening appointment to determine whether the group is a good fit for you.*
π
Date: Thursdays
π Time: 3:00-4:00PM
π Location: SHS, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, SHS Lower Level, BM Group Rooms A & B
Led by:β―Ilana Licht, PhD