Group Counseling

Counseling groups usually form at the beginning of each quarter and typically meet once a week for about ninety minutes. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn, share, and grow with others.

Note that most groups require a pre-group interest appointment - to learn more about the group and whether it will meet your particular needs. Please make an appointment by calling 509-359-2366 or drop by 225 Martin Hall.

During 2012-2013, the following groups are being offered through CAPS. If interested, call today to schedule a pre-group consultation.

Fall Quarter Groups
Sign up at the front desk at CAPS Martin Hall 225 or call 359-2366

LGBTQ Group, Facilitated by Alice Emerson, Ph.D.
A Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation Support Group.
This group is designed for individuals who want to talk with supportive others in a private location about their own gender identity/expression or sexual orientation interests or concerns.

Building Connections, facilitated by Melinda Ovnicek, M.S. & Maureen Nickerson, M.A.
A Group to Help Individuals Build Connections and Understand Self-Esteem.
This is CAPS' most popular group and will focus on how to develop relationships, increase self-understanding and reduce loneliness.

Test Anxiety, facilitated by Lisa Olson, M.S.
A Skill Building Group for Managing Symptoms of Test Anxiety.
This group will learn to identify causes of anxiety related to exams and learn techniques for decreasing symptoms that impair performance.

Stress-Less, facilitated by Melinda Ovnicek, M.S.
A Group for Helping Individuals Reduce and Cope Effectively with Stress.
This group will learn strategies to manage life stressors and will practice mediation, relaxation, and guided imagery activities.

Winter Quarter Groups 

LGBTQ Group, facilitated by Alice Emerson, Ph.D.
A Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation Support Group .
This group is designed for individuals who want to talk with supportive others in a private location about their own gender identity/expression or sexual orientation interests or concerns.

Building Connections, facilitated by Melinda Ovnicek, M.S.
A Group to Help Individuals Build Connections and Understand Self-Esteem.
This is CAPS' most popular group and will focus on how to develop relationships, increase self-understanding and reduce loneliness.

Test Anxiety, facilitated by Lisa Olson, M.S.
A Skill Building Group for Managing Symptoms of Test Anxiety.
This group will learn to identify causes of anxiety related to exams and learn techniques for decreasing symptoms that impair performance.

Stress-Less, facilitated by Melinda Ovnicek, M.S.
A Group for Helping Individuals Reduce and Cope Effectively with Stress.
This group will learn strategies to manage life stressors and will practice mediation, relaxation, and guided imagery activities.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression, facilitated by Mei Ling Wong, Psy.D.
This group utilizes the practice of daily meditation to increase mindfulness to daily life activities and our reactions to them.
The purpose of meditation practice is to focus our awareness on our thought process and to increase our awareness to the connection between thoughts, bodily sensations, and moods.  This is an eight-session group that will meet weekly for 90 minutes.  In addition, it teaches that meditation and mindfulness are skills and thus should be practiced, it involves a commitment to practice the skills learned in the group daily for about 60 minutes if possible.  The materials used for daily practice are Guided Mindfulness Meditation by Jon Kabat-Zin.  

Moving Forward, facilitated by Candace Schmidt, Ph.D.
A Psycho-educational Group Based on Positive Psychology Principles.
Learn how positive psychology principles can help you navigate challenges, make decisions, and increase self-understanding.

Spring Quarter Groups 

LGBTQ Group, Facilitated by Alice Emerson, Ph.D.
A Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation Support Group.
This group is designed for individuals who want to talk with supportive others in a private location about their own gender identity/expression or sexual orientation interests or concerns.

Building Connections, facilitated by Melinda Ovnicek, M.S.
A Group to Help Individuals Build Connections and Understand Self-Esteem.
This is CAPS' most popular group and will focus on how to develop relationships, increase self-understanding and reduce loneliness.

Test Anxiety, facilitated by Lisa Olson, M.S.
A Skill Building Group for Managing Symptoms of Test Anxiety.
This group will learn to identify causes of anxiety related to exams and learn techniques for decreasing symptoms that impair performance.

Family Matters, facilitated by Melinda Ovnicek, M.S.
A group for those who want to increase their understanding of how early life experiences impact current behavior and relationships.
This is a group experience for individuals who want to learn how their early childhood experiences may influence their current way of relating to self and others. This group is also appropriate for individuals who are parents or want to prepare for parenthood in the future.

Loss & Personal Growth Group, facilitated by Candace Schmidt, Ph.D.
A Support Group for Those Who Have Experienced Loss.
This group is designed to offer creative approaches for processing loss and feelings of grief.  Activities to encourage the working through of difficult emotions will be presented.

Groups Offered at CAPS Based On Sufficient Interest
Sign up at the front desk at CAPS Martin Hall 225 or call 359-2366

Healthy Body Image
A Psycho-educational & Experiential Group Focused on Positive Body Image.
This group is for anyone wanting to improve or reaffirm acceptance of all shapes and sizes. Work towards a healthy relationship with your body and feel "comfortable in your genes."

Healthy Relationships
This group is for individuals who would like to learn about principles of healthy relationships.
This group may interest you if you are in a relationship, trying to decide if you should stay or go, recently out of relationship, or just want to prepare for a future relationship. This experience will increase self-understanding and relationship understanding.

Positive Parenting
A Psycho-Educational Group Focusing on Parenting Principles.
This is a group experience for parents and individuals planning to be parents or caregivers. This group is designed to discuss positive parenting approaches to facilitate parental effectiveness.

Mind Over Mood
An Emotional Skill Building Group For Increasing Interpersonal Effectiveness.
This group will focus on proven methods for reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Participants will learn to use mindfulness techniques and self-understanding to increase distress tolerance.

Living With Asperger Syndrome
A Psycho-Educational & Process Group for Individuals that may Experience Specific Challenges in Adjusting to College Life. 
This group will address common concerns related to social relationships, sensory sensitivity, and adjustment to the academic environment.