Group Therapy

Group therapy provides a powerful venue for growth and change. It has been used effectively by mental health professionals for over 50 years. The intent is to help people who would like to gain support, increase self-awareness and learn new ways to cope with personal or interpersonal challenges. It is one of the most effective tools for addressing issues common among college students.

Therapy groups are aimed at bringing about change in participants through an examination of thoughts and behaviors. Support groups are generally focused on a particular issue, with an emphasis on coping.

To find out more about group therapy, please contact CAPS at 202-687-6985.

Group offerings change each semester and some may not be available as they become full. Below is a list of groups that are offered at CAPS during Fall 2023.

Hilltop Campus Groups
(Open to Students From All Campuses)

Support Space for International Students
Virtual, Biweekly Thursdays at 1:00 PM-2:00 PM
Facilitators: Nisha Molugu, Psy.D. and Chao Song, Ph.D.

This support space is designed for international students (graduate and undergraduate) at Georgetown University. The group will be held virtually and on a bi-weekly basis with no prior screening required. The purpose of the group is to provide members with a safe and supportive environment to share their stories, experiences, challenges, and successes in navigating various systems and cross-cultural transitions as an international student at Georgetown University and in the U.S.

To register, please email: nm1035@georgetown.edu or cs2022@gmail.com

Mosaic
Virtual, Weekly Thursdays at 2:00 PM-2:50 PM
Facilitators: Jo Ellyn Walker, Ph.D. and Tanisha Pelham, Ph.D.

This group is an affinity space for Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) -identifying students to cultivate strength through solidarity and connection. Mosaic provides a place for group members to discuss issues unique to their experience at a predominantly white institution (PWI), including academic stress, relationships, race/ethnicity related stress, cultural values & navigating cultural expectations, values exploration, family dynamics, identity development, building resilience, self-care & community care, among other topics.

To register, please email: jw1821@georgetown.edu or tp653@georgetown.edu

Coping with Loss
Graduate Student Group
Facilitators: Amy Sproul, Psy.D. and Aida Gruden, Psy.D.

This is a group for students who have experienced the loss of a family member, loved one, or acquaintance, recently or unresolved from the past. It is designed to provide a confidential and supportive place to express and process feelings around coping with major losses and to provide support for adapting to new ways to build meaning after loss.

To register, please email: ags111@georgetown.edu or ag2414@georgetown.edu

Interpersonal Mindfulness
Facilitators: John Loughlin-Presnal, Ph.D. and Glory Finnegan, Psy.D.

This therapy group is designed for both undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in using mindfulness to increase self-acceptance and relate more to others. Sample topics include working with social anxiety, self-critical thoughts, mindful communication, and present-centered awareness. Prior experience with mindfulness or meditation is welcome, but not a requirement for participation in this group.

To register, please email: John.LoughlinPresnal@georgetown.edu or gf351@georgetown.edu

Survivors Support Group
Facilitators: Glory Finnegan, Psy.D. and Natalie Simpson, M.A.

This group is intended to support survivors of interpersonal violence (sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and child abuse) who are seeking to connect with others with similar experiences and gain insight into the ways trauma continues to affect them. This group will focus on the impact of traumatic experiences, the use of coping skills in managing symptoms, and the connection of survivors in order to decrease isolation and promote personal empowerment. Group will begin with a brief mindfulness exercise followed by an open format depending on the group’s interests. This group is open to students of all genders and identities.

To register, please email: gf351@georgetown.edu or nbs65@georgetown.edu

LGBTQIAP+ Support Group
In-Person, Tuesdays at 3:00-4:00PM DROP IN
Facilitator: Helen Rathbun, Psy.D. (she/they)

This group is welcome to undergraduate and graduate students who identify within the LGBTQIAP+ community. The group aims to provide a safe and confidential place for those looking to discuss topics like identity development, coming out, relationships, family dynamics, and community/university concerns unique to LGBTQIAP+ students. It is also a place to gain support, give support, and generally share in community with other LGBTQIAP+ folks.

If you’re interested in joining please reach out to Dr. Helen Rathbun at hdr12@georgetown.edu

Trans and Non-Binary Support Group
Thursdays, In-person, 1-2PM DROP IN
Facilitator: Helen Rathbun, Psy.D. (she/they)

This group is welcome to undergraduate and graduate students who identify as trans and non-binary. The group aims to provide a safe and confidential place for those looking to discuss topics like gender identity and expression, coming out, relationships, family dynamics, and community/university concerns unique to trans and non-binary folks. It is also a place to gain support, give support, and generally share in community with other folks.

If you’re interested in joining please reach out to Dr. Helen Rathbun at hdr12@georgetown.edu

Understanding Self and Others Groups
Graduate Student Group
Facilitators: Engin Ontiveros, Ph.D. and Shanice Anderson, Psy.D.
Undergraduate Student Group
Facilitators: Tanisha Pelham, Ph.D. and Sarhand Hasan, M.S., M.A.

These insight-oriented groups provide a safe environment for exploring yourself and interpersonal style in areas such as trust, intimacy, anger, assertiveness, taking risks, and dealing with authority.

To register – Grad students, please email: ee270@georgetown.edu or sa2058@georgetown.edu ; Undergrads, please email: tp653@georgetown.edu or sah208@georgetown.edu.

Law School Groups

Interpersonal Mindfulness
Facilitators: Lauren DePompeo, Psy.D., Amy Sproul, Psy.D., and Jerimi Vindua, Psy.D.

This group is designed for law students who are interested in using mindfulness to increase self-acceptance and relate more comfortably to others. Sample topics include working with social anxiety, self-critical thoughts, mindful communication and present-centered awareness. Prior experience with mindfulness or meditation is welcome, but not a requirement for participation in this group.

To register, please email: lrd52@georgetown.edu and ags111@georgetown.edu.

Mosaic: Law Center
Facilitators: Jerimi Vindua, Psy.D. and Shanice Anderson, Psy.D.
Day/Time: Fridays, 2:00-3:00 p.m.

This group is designed for Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) identifying students to cultivate strength through solidarity and connection. Mosaic for Law Students will provide a space for members to discuss issues and experiences unique to their intersecting identities as a BIPOC individual and a law student.

To register, please email: jv734@georgetown.edu and sa2058@georgetown.edu.

School of Medicine Groups

Care for the Caregivers Process Group
Facilitators: Jade Sanders, Ph.D. and Chao Song, Ph.D.

This group is intended for 3rd and 4th year students in the School of Medicine. It meets once a month in the evening and is designed to provide a safe space for students to process their experiences on clinical rotations. This space will also allow students to support and validate one another as they grow as clinicians.

To register, please email: js5048@georgetown.edu

The Elephant in the Room: Process Group for Biomedical Graduate Education Students
Facilitator: Jade Sanders, Ph.D. and Chao Song, Ph.D.

This process group will provide a safe space for students who are underrepresented in their fields. The group will serve as an outlet to process any emotions and difficulties that may arise in the education journey, such as feelings of imposter syndrome, isolation and career dissatisfaction. This space will also allow students to support and validate one another as peers. It will meet once a month either during the lunch hour or at 5 p.m.

To register, please email: js5048@georgetown.edu

Athletics Groups

Coping with Loss
Facilitator: Erica Force, PhD, LP, CMPC and Carmella Asparrin, M.Psy.

This group is for student-athletes who have experienced the loss of a family member, loved one, or acquaintance, recently or unresolved from the past. This group provides a confidential and supportive place to express and process thoughts and feelings related to coping with major losses, and to provide support for building meaning after loss.

To register, please contact Dr. Force at erica.force@georgetown.edu or 202-687-6715.

Injury Recovery Enhancement Group
Facilitator: Erica Force, PhD, LP, CMPC

This group is open to student-athletes in any stage of injury recovery seeking support as they cope with sport-related injury and the challenges of being away from their sport during recovery. The focus will be on helping student-athletes develop goals for injury rehabilitation, rebuild and maintain motivation, develop stress management techniques, and feel prepared (emotionally and physically) to return to sport, or in some cases, transition out of sport.