Group Therapy

What is group therapy?

Groups are offered through the Denton campus during the fall and spring semesters. Due to our West Jones Hall location currently being under renovation, all 2022-2023 CAPS groups will be offered virtually via a HIPAA compliant secure platform. The virtual format allows currently enrolled students across all 3 campuses to participate.
Groups provide a supportive and stimulating environment for personal growth, relationship building, and skill development.

Groups are organized by topic, commonly including:

Self-confidence
Personal growth
Overcoming dysfunctional family dynamics
LGBTQ Issues
Trauma recovery
Healthy relationships
Anxiety management
Overcoming depression

Groups typically range in size from 6 to 10 clients and are led by a trained mental health professional.

Who is eligible for group therapy?

Currently enrolled students are eligible for unlimited group therapy sessions.
Students may attend group therapy sessions while participating in individual or couples therapy when clinically indicated.
Depending upon the nature of your concerns, you may be referred to individual therapy or another agency to ensure you receive the most appropriate care.
CAPS reserves the right to determine if we have adequate resources and expertise to address your particular treatment needs. If your needs cannot adequately or ethically be met by CAPS, we will work with you to secure an appropriate referral.

What is the cost for services?

Fees for services are already included in students’ previously paid fees. No additional charges are incurred.

What groups are currently offered?

TWU CAPS Spring 2024 Groups

All groups will meet in person with the exception of Cultivating Compassion and Self-Worth (CCSW).

Tuesday

Growing Beyond Trauma

4:00 – 5:30 pm
Starts February 13

Experiencing trauma can have ongoing effects, including symptoms such as difficulty concentrating or functioning in daily tasks; feeling afraid of something bad happening again; intrusive memories of the traumatic event; avoiding people/places/tasks that are reminders of the event; changes in sleep, appetite, and substance use; and difficulty forming and maintaining relationships. People who have experienced trauma often feel alone and as though nobody understands. This group will provide students who have experienced trauma the opportunity to feel supported and less alone and to learn strategies to cope with difficult symptoms. Students who attend the group can expect to learn information about trauma and gain insight into how trauma is affecting them; learn practical coping strategies to help manage emotions and troubling symptoms; consider new ways of thinking about the impact of trauma; and reduce social isolation and increase sense of belonging through the sharing of experiences in a safe and supportive environment.

You are Your Best Thing

4:00 - 5:30 pm
Starts February 13

Individuals in the Black community are often reminded of how their skin shapes their experience which can cause trauma, shame, and a shattering disconnect with their own identity and sense of belonging. How can I be vulnerable in a world threatened by my vulnerability? This group aims to give breathing room for your full humanity in a way that is safe and creates a sense of belonging. In this group, we will read essays about joy, vulnerability, shame resiliency, and more as it relates to the Black experience from the book “You Are Your Best Thing” by Tarana Burke. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on the readings with one another as they relate to their experiences. After completing this process group, students will have a better relationship with vulnerability in safety, a deeper connection with self, and an expanded awareness of how close they are to other group members in their experiences. This group will meet in person and will not allow new members after the first session. Priority will be given to residential students.

Wednesday

Cultivating Compassion and Self-Worth (Virtual)

1:00 - 2:00 pm
Module 1: 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/6
Module 2: 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17

This 4-session structured group aims to provide a supportive space for students to gain knowledge and skills on how to extend compassion toward one's self in instances of perceived inadequacy, failure, or general suffering and garner an internal sense of being worthy of belonging, connection, and love. Members will be provided with tangible skills and tools on how to practice self-compassion and understanding how self-worth can impact well-being. Students who participate in this group will learn techniques to challenge perfectionism, increase positive self-talk, practice mindfulness, and cope with feelings of shame.

Art Therapy Workshop

4:00 - 5:30 pm
Starts February 14

Art Therapy Workshop is a safe space to explore and express feelings, manage stress and anxiety, and explore a variety of new art materials. Art Therapy can facilitate expression, relaxation, stress management or can be just for fun. Focusing on the process of art making, as opposed to the end product is encouraged to challenge perfectionistic tendencies and practice mindfulness. Any level or experience with art materials welcome! Supplies provided or students can bring what they are working on. Facilitated by Registered Art Therapist Myriam Reynolds, LPC, ATR.

Healthy Relationships

4:30 - 5:30 pm
Starts February 14

As humans, we are hardwired to form relationships, and the quality of our relationships can determine the quality of our lives. Forming and maintaining relationships, especially as adults, can require some time and effort. This group aims to help students learn about the factors that support healthy, fulfilling, and meaningful relationships. By participating in this group, students will learn about 1) Different relational styles, 2) Practices that help make and keep relationships, 3) Healthy attitudes and behaviors that promote positive relationships. After completing this group students will acquire knowledge and skills to be effective in relational tasks like communication, boundary setting, conflict resolution, and managing emotions, applicable to a variety of relationships. This group will meet in person and will remain open to new members throughout the semester after it starts.

Thursday

Coping with Anxiety

11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Module 1: 2/15, 2/22, 2/29, 3/7
Module 2: 3/28, 4/4, 4/11, 4/18

Anxiety is a normal life experience, and even necessary in small amounts for motivation and productivity in life tasks. Yet, for some people, anxiety can reach a point that prevents them from enjoying their life. Living with anxiety may mean feeling “overwhelmed”, “stuck”, or in “survival mode”. This group is for students who feel controlled by their anxiety and want to manage it better. This is a 4-week, 50 minute skills-based group that will take place virtually via Google Meet and is offered 2 separate times throughout the semester. This group aims to improve your overall quality of life by increasing understanding about the process and function of anxiety, teaching new ways to cope with it, and improving confidence in managing anxiety. Students who attend a module will gain awareness of the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impact of anxiety, as well as learn a variety of tangible coping and grounding skills to help reduce anxiety symptoms.

For more information or to schedule a group intake, please contact our main office at 940-898-3801 or email Dr. Angela Adams at aadams37@twu.edu. Interested students must contact CAPS to be added to the group interest list and to complete needed paperwork for participation.

How do I begin?

Call or stop by the Denton CAPS location to place your name on the group's referral list.
A CAPS staff member will contact you to schedule a group intake appointment.
During the intake appointment, you and a therapist will begin to explore the nature of your concerns and goals. Based on the outcome of this initial assessment, CAPS staff will make a treatment recommendation which may include individual, couples, or group therapy or referral to another campus or community agency.
If appropriate, you will be referred to a CAPS group; information regarding the time and start date of the group will be provided.
During peak service times, you may be placed on a waitlist for services. Referrals and options for accessing crisis services will also be provided.

Page last updated 11:14 AM, January 2, 2024