CAPS Groups

Interpersonal Process Group - Understanding Self and Others

This interpersonal process group is for students who want to explore their own identity and self-worth, find new ways to connect and communicate with others, and understand what may be getting in their way of achieving these goals. Students can use the interpersonal interaction of the group to learn about themselves, identify and expand their own interpersonal patterns, try new behaviors, and clarify confusing feelings within a supportive and growth producing atmosphere. A pre-group screening with the facilitator(s) is required to join this group.

Mondays, 3-4:30pm EST

• Group co-leaders: Beth Holt Wright, LCSW, & Claire McCown, MPS

Wednesdays, 3:00 - 4:30pm EST 

• Group co-leaders: Nicole Ruzek, PhD, & Kacey Wilson, EdM

Thursdays, 3:30-5pm EST

• Group co-leaders: Dan Elreda, PhD, & Pavani Khera, MPsy

*To join, call CAPS at (434) 243-5150 to schedule an initial phone assessment.

Interpersonal Process Group- Graduate Students

This interpersonal process group is for graduate/professional students who want to explore their own identity and self-worth, find new ways to connect and communicate with others, and understand what may be getting in their way of achieving these goals. Students can use the interpersonal interaction of the group to learn about themselves, identify and expand their own interpersonal patterns, try new behaviors, and clarify confusing feelings within a supportive and growth producing atmosphere. A pre-group screening with the facilitator is required to join this group. 

Tuesdays, 3:30-5pm EST

• Group leader: Beatriz Palma, PhD
• To join, call CAPS at (434)243-5150 to schedule an initial phone assessment.

Eating Disorder Recovery Group

This group is designed for students who struggle with binge eating, purging, food restriction, excessive exercise, body image concerns, or other related issues. The interpersonal focus of the group allows members to explore relational and emotional patterns underlying their behaviors. Members can use the group to increase self-awareness, identify emotional needs, practice authentic communication, and learn more effective coping. This is not a structured group, and group members are encouraged to bring in and discuss issues relevant to their own experiences and struggles. Self-esteem, body image, relationships, identity, emotional expression, anxiety, perfectionism, self-criticism, and academic pressure are among the topics that may be discussed. Weekly attendance is expected. A pre-group screening with the facilitator is required to join this group.

Wednesdays, 3-4:30pm EST

• Group leader: Deepti Athalye, PhD
• To join, call CAPS at (434)243-5150 to schedule an initial phone assessment.

CAPS Mindfulness Space

Counseling and Psychological Services is offering a mindfulness meditation hour this Spring semester. The meditation hour is open to all UVA students looking for a way to engage in mindfulness practices in a safe and supportive space. No previous experience is required. The session will begin with a brief introduction, followed by mindfulness practice and debriefing.

Fridays, 10-11am EST (VIRTUAL)

• Facilitator: Nicole Ruzek, Ph.D.
• This group is VIRTUAL and a Zoom link will be provided.
• If you are interested, email Dr. Ruzek at [email protected]

Choices

"Choices" is a group created for students who want to make changes to their drinking or substance use habits. You will have the opportunity to understand the underpinnings of misuse and addiction, gain some insight and learn new coping strategies along your journey to make changes. The group will be a safe and supportive space where all participants agree to maintain confidentiality.

Wednesdays, 3:00-4:30 pm EST

• Group leader: Sean Sembrowich, NP
• To join, call CAPS at (434) 243-5150 to schedule an initial phone assessment.

DBT Skills Group

Would you like to work on creating emotional balance and get off the emotional roller coaster? Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training group is a six to nine week course to provide an engaged and safe environment to learn and practice skills that will help you be more mindful, manage your emotions, and develop healthier relationships. At the end of skills training, you will have your own toolkit to pull from whenever you have difficult life circumstances. Students must be in individual treatment at CAPS or another UVA-affiliated clinic in order to participate in this group. Information about DBT resources in the community will be provided for all other interested students. A pre-group screening with the facilitator is required to join this group.

Four Major Areas of DBT Skills Training

1. Mindfullness skills- develop a lifestyle of living your daily life with awareness to the present moment. 
2. Distress Tolerance – Develop skills that help you to tolerate and get through emotional crises without engaging in unwanted behavioral responses. 
3. Emotional Regulation – Understand and name your own emotions, decrease suffering, and reduce emotional vulnerability. The skills are aimed to increase resilience. 
4. Interpersonal Effectiveness  – Learn strategies to manage interpersonal conflicts effectively and maintain and improve relationships with other people.

Tuesdays, 2:30-4pm EST

• Group co-leaders: Deepit Athalye, PhD and Lisa Barr, LPC
• To join, talk to your individual therapist or contact CAPS at (434)243-5150.

ADHD Skills Group

This group is designed to address common problems associated with ADHD which can be sources of distress and frustration including incomplete tasks, difficulties initiating and terminating tasks and activities in a timely manner, difficulties with organization and planning, difficulty with time management including tardiness and procrastination, forgetfulness and indecisiveness. The group is designed for students interested in committing to 6 weekly sessions to not only better understand challenges associated with ADHD, but also continually practice skills to combat these challenges.

Goals of the group are to:

1. Gain insights into the nature of and patterns of current ADHD-related difficulties
2. Develop lasting, practicable compensatory skills, and
3. Engage in a mutually supportive community in which all members are continuing to reflect and practice skills 

Of note, this group will be most effective for individuals who have already addressed primary factors that impair executive functioning including substance use, mood disorders and persistent sleep disturbances.

Mondays, 3:15 - 4:30 pm EST

• Group leader: Elaine Duffee, M.D.
• To join, call CAPS at (434) 243-5150 to schedule an initial phone assessment.

Connections: A Social Skills Group

Do you want to learn how to talk to people, make friends and manage conflict? Connections: A Social Skills Group provides a safe environment to learn and practice conversational skills, finding and making friends, using humor appropriately and managing conflict.

Social skills are learned through didactic lessons, role-play demonstrations and practice of skills during group socialization activities. A pre-group screening with the facilitators is required to join this group.

Social Skills Focus Areas:

1. Conversations
2. Finding and maintaining friendships
3. Humor
4. Handling Disagreements 

Wednesdays, 1:00-2:30 pm EST

• Group co-leaders: Kelly Midkiff, NP, CNS & Elizabeth Ramirez-Weaver, LCSW
• To join, call CAPS at (434) 243-5150 to schedule an initial phone assessment.

 

Bipolar Disorder Support Group

This ongoing support group is open to students diagnosed with bipolar disorder and currently engaged in treatment with a mental health provider, either at or outside of CAPS. It will provide a safe and confidential setting where members can discuss their experiences of living with bipolar disorder. The group will include psychoeducation on: bipolar disorder in general, treatments (including medication), new research, and managing symptoms across various life domains. A pre-group screening with the facilitators is required to join this group. 

Fridays, 1-2:15pm EST

• Group co-leaders: Kelley Midkiff, NP, CNS & Mark Silvestri, PhD
• To join, call CAPS at 9434)243-5150 to schedule an initial phone assessment.

Graduate Students Support Group

This on-going group is open to graduate students and students of professional schools. Members will strive to provide a safe and confidential setting where the experiences of being a graduate/professional student can be freely discussed and support as well as coping strategies provided. A meeting with the group facilitator is required prior to joining the group.  

Fridays, 3-4:30pm EST

• Group leader: Belinda Overstreet, PhD
• To join, call CAPS at (434) 243-5150

Grief Group

Grief and loss are a part of life, but it can be difficult to know how to navigate the intense feelings that can come with it.  This group is an opportunity for students who have experienced a death to process their feelings of loss and explore the grief process in a safe and supportive atmosphere. This group allows members to identify their emotional needs, offer and receive support, and consider different steps to take toward healing.

Mondays, 3:00 - 4:15 pm EST

• Group leader: Molly Peck, LPC
• To join, call CAPS at (434) 243-5150 to schedule an initial phone assessment.

 

LGBTQ+ Support Group

This is a support group for students who want to become more comfortable within themselves, and with their gender identity and sexuality. This inclusive group welcomes lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, non-binary, queer, asexual, and intersex students. Members of the group include those who are fully out to others, those who are out to only a few chosen people, and those who are only just coming out to themselves. The group provides a confidential and safe space in which LGBTQ+ students can explore questions related to gender and sexuality, and also discuss issues related to societal and personal values, relationships, choices, self-esteem, and self-care. This is not thought of as a therapy group because we do not believe that LGBTQ+ identities are indicative of psychopathology. Instead, this group is designed to foster healthier adjustment and self-development in its participants by providing the opportunity to share and reflect on their experiences, thoughts, and emotions in some depth in an atmosphere that is non-judgmental and supportive. A pre-group screening with the facilitator(s) is required to join this group. 

Fridays, 1-2:30pm EST

• Group leader: Nicolo Porto, LCSW
• To join, call CAPS at (434) 243-5150 to schedule an initial phone assessment.

Black Students Support Circle

This is a weekly support space for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who identify as Black, African American, or African. This support space provides a safe and affirming opportunity to make connections, give and receive support, and engage in open dialogue about lived experiences at a PWI. We will discuss topics including but not limited to: academic stress, relationships, socio-political climate, community, racial in/justice, resilience and belongingness.  

Tuesdays, 11am-12pm EST (VIRTUAL)

• Facilitator: Nicholas Wright, LPC, LSATP
• Register in advanced for this group here
• After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

International Students Support Circle

This is a weekly support space for international students to discuss common issues as they adjust to the culture in the U.S. and on UVa Grounds. International students often face multiple challenges, including those associated with the nuances of language, interpersonal communication, navigating social relationships, and adapting to a new academic culture, among others. The uncertainties associated with COVID, travel/immigration restrictions, and U.S. political turmoil can potentially heighten international students’ anxiety and feelings of isolation. This support circle provides international students with the extra support they need to strengthen their capacity for resilience and deepen their sense of belonging. We will focus on: providing a safe and supportive space for connection; discussing common issues of cross-cultural adaptation encountered at various stages of the student life cycle, from first arrival to graduation; discussing COVID-19’s impact on various aspects of international students’ life and their stress; learning about resources and coping strategies; discussing challenges and rewards associated with living, learning and working at UVA.

Thursdays, 3-4:15pm EST (VIRTUAL)

• Facilitators: Baozhen Xie, PhD & Caren Freeman, PhD
• Open to all registered UVA undergraduate, graduate students as well as exchange students, postdoctoral researchers, and international scholars.
• To join contact Dr. Xie at [email protected] or Dr. Freeman at [email protected]

More group information coming soon!