The Counseling Center is pleased to offer 10 different options for groups for the Fall 2021 semester.
Options include drop-in discussions, topic-based treatment groups, and identity-based groups. Some are open to all Hopkins students and trainees; others are limited by enrollment and/or relevant demographics.
Check out the information below to learn how different groups work.
Q: Why should I consider joining a counseling group?
A: Counseling groups allow people to address concerns through engagement with others. Some groups provide opportunities to explore personal issues and interpersonal relationships in a setting where honest feedback, reflection, and support from peers can occur. Others provide a space for discussion, exploration, and providing support around common experiences. Still others offer skills that can be practiced and applied in lived experience.
Q: What’s the difference between a drop-in group and a treatment group?
A: In a treatment group, you will interact with the same people each time the group meets for the duration of the semester. Treatment groups are especially effective for those interested in exploring their interpersonal style and enhancing their approach to relationships in such areas as trust, intimacy, anger, conflict, assertiveness, taking risks, and improving self-esteem.
In contrast to treatment groups, drop-in groups offer places to connect and to learn without as much of a commitment to developing cohesiveness with specific individuals.
Treatment groups have an established, vetted roster of participants and are confidential; drop-in groups are not confidential.
Q: Who should I contact if I’m interested in group therapy?
A: If you are interested in trying either kind of group, call the Counseling Center and leave a voice mail at 410-516-8278. For treatment groups, you will be scheduled for a screening appointment with the facilitator(s) to discuss your goals for joining a group, and to learn about the group. For drop-in groups, just leave a voice mail that you are interested and the facilitator(s) will get in contact with you.
Below is the list of confidential counseling groups that are typically offered with a closed roster (i.e., therapist[s] as identified treatment provider[s]; group screening for fit required; some level of commitment expected).
These groups are open to KSAS, WSE, and Peabody students who are located in Maryland (or other locations where the facilitator[s] are licensed or permitted to practice). For more information or to schedule a group screening appointment, please call the Counseling Center at 410-516-8278.
Group Name: Dissertation Group
Open To: KSAS, WSE, and Peabody students currently engaged in writing an academic dissertation who are located in Maryland (or other locations where the facilitator is licensed or permitted to practice).
What Is It: Working on a dissertation can sometimes feel lonely, overwhelming, and can seem never-ending. Join other advanced graduate students to share suggestions, encouragement, and support. Topics discussed include motivation, time and workload management, self-doubt, perfectionism, dealing with faculty, and balancing dissertation with other things in your life.
Contacts: Dr. Rosemary Nicolosi, Psy.D.
Group Name: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Integrative Group Treatment Protocol for Ongoing Traumatic Stress
Open To: KSAS, WSE, and Peabody students located in Maryland (or other locations where the facilitator is licensed or permitted to practice).
What Is It: This trauma processing group allows for individualized and confidential processing of traumatic experiences within the supportive container of the group setting (i.e., you’re never going to be asked to tell your story to the other group members). These groups are available to clients of the Counseling Center after a group screening session to determine suitability and right of fit. Some contraindications apply. Two sections are available.
If you are curious about EMDR therapy, you can find more information at emdria.org or discuss it with your Counseling Center provider.
Contacts: Karen Taylor, LCSW-C
Group Name: Graduate Student Therapy/Understanding Self and Others
Open To: KSAS, WSE, and Peabody students located in Maryland (or other locations where the facilitators are licensed or permitted to practice).
What Is It: These groups provide a space for graduate students to discuss and explore interpersonal concerns and challenges, while developing a better Understanding of Self and Others (USO). Themes might include but are not limited to observing and processing ways of managing conflict; developing more satisfying relationships (romantic, social, and familial); difficult family and social histories; coping with academic demands; and life transitions. Two sections are available.
Contact (Group 1): Dr. Shemika Brooks, Psy.D and Rohit Agwaral, M.A.
Contact (Group 2): Dr. Shemika Brooks, Psy.D and Jennifer Oh, M.A.
Group Name: Reclaiming Our Space: Black Women’s Support Group
Open To: Black cis and trans women who are KSAS, WSE, and Peabody students located in Maryland (or other locations where the facilitators are licensed or permitted to practice).
What Is It: A supportive and healing space for Black cis and trans women to build community among one another as they freely explore and discuss challenges related to identity, academic life, current events, relationships, and mental health.
Contacts: Dr. RaiNesha L. Miller, Ph.D. and Fatuma Dzilala, M.A.
Group Name: Undergrad and Non-Teaching Graduate Students Understanding Self and Others
Open To: Undergraduate and non-teaching graduate students located in Maryland (or other locations where the facilitators are licensed or permitted to practice).
What Is It: This group provides a space for undergraduate and non-teaching graduate students to discuss and explore interpersonal concerns and challenges, while developing a better Understanding of Self and Others (USO). Themes might include, but are not limited to: observing and processing ways of managing conflict; developing more satisfying relationships (romantic, social, and familial); difficult family and social histories; coping with academic demands; and life transitions.
Contacts: Dr. RaiNesha L. Miller, Ph.D. and Fatuma Dzilala, M.A.
Group Name: Undergrad Understanding Self and Others
Open To: Undergraduate students located in Maryland (or other locations where the facilitators are licensed or permitted to practice).
What Is It: These USO groups are for undergraduate students who want to gain a greater understanding of their relational styles and to explore interpersonal concerns and challenges. By examining interactions that occur within the group, participants develop skills that can lead to satisfying relationships with self as well as with others, including professional, peer, and romantic relationships. Two sections available.
Contacts Group 1: Dr. Fred Gager, Psy.D.
Contacts Group 2: Dr. Shemika Brooks, Psy.D and Avery Morrison, M.A.
Group Name: Yoga as Healing
Open To: KSAS, WSE, and Peabody students who are located in Maryland (or other locations where the facilitator[s] are licensed or permitted to practice).
What Is It: Yoga as Healing is a six-week mind/body group for survivors of any type of trauma, self-defined. This group offers survivors a safe space to gain greater awareness around strength, stability, assertiveness, and mindfulness. Sessions will focus on different themes, various restorative and therapeutic postures, explore positive affirmations, and will be coupled with guided activities including readings, journaling, and creative exercises. Students of all genders are welcome. No prior yoga experience necessary, and workbooks will be provided. A group screening appointment must be scheduled in order to determine suitability and right of fit for the group. The Fall 2021 Group will take place on Zoom and will be closed to applicants by late mid-late September. Please reach out with interest prior to Sept. 10! You can read more about the Yoga as Healing Group in this wellbeing.jhu.edu blog post from June 2020.
Contacts: Karen Taylor, LCSW-C and Nila Berger, E-RYT200
Below is the list of drop-in groups that have been offered in the past (i.e., non-treatment; no roster, less commitment). You do not have to be a client of the Counseling Center in order to participate in these groups.
These groups are open to JHU students and learners as described. For more information, please call the Counseling Center at 410-516-8278.
Group Name: Asian & Asian-American Mental Health Discussion Series (aka Crazy Stressed Asians)
Open To: Asian and Asian-American students and trainees of all ethnic backgrounds.
Time: 2nd Wednesday of every month at 5:30-7pm
What Is It: This is a drop-in discussion series for Asians and Asian Americans of all ethnic backgrounds to explore the impact of their culture, heritage and identity on mental health and wellness. It is co-sponsored by the Counseling Center, University Health Services, Shepard Pratt and the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Contacts: Dr. Crystal Han, M.D. or Dr. Susan Han, Ph.D.
Group Name: Emotional Adulting
Open To: All Hopkins students and trainees.
Time: Mondays, 5:30-5:55pm EDT
What Is It: Emotional Adulting is a brief, drop-in skills group designed to help you work with your emotions from a space of compassion, awareness, non-judgment, and curiosity. The skills taught in this group, which are generally drawn from mindfulness and trauma symptom management practices, are beneficial for our general well-being as well for helping to manage distress related to depression, anxiety, trauma, and other experiences. Each week will focus on a different practice and the curriculum will repeat. Come to all eight sessions, come to one, or pick and choose depending on your interest and schedule. Topics include Grounding, the Window of Tolerance, Containment, and Calm Place Imagery.
Contacts: Karen Taylor, LCSW-C and Rohit Agwaral, M.A.
Group Name: LGBTQ+ Discussions Group
Open To: All LGBTQ+ Hopkins students and trainees.
Time: Mondays, 2:00-3:20pm EDT
What Is It: This group focuses on providing intentional space and safety for LGBTQ+ students and trainees to explore and discuss their needs, joy, and concerns related to this particular area of identity that they hold. The group acts as a support to JHU learners when navigating identity, experiences, complexities, and mental health challenges. Themes may include: gender presentation, gender expression, sexuality exploration, identity development, interpersonal relationships, trauma and other experiences of violence, building community, and navigating safety.
Contacts: Dr. DeVonna Jacobs, Psy.D.