Carnegie Mellon University

Groups & Skills Clinics

To join a CaPS Group or Skills Clinic, email the designated facilitator (below) or call 412-268-2922 and schedule your pre-group consultation

Group is one of the most effective tools for addressing issues commonly faced by college students. For many students, group experiences can be more helpful than individual therapy. CaPS groups and skills clinics provide a place for students to come together, share the concerns they have in common, and learn new coping skills all under the guidance of a trained mental health care professional. Most students find such groups exceed their expectations! 

Fall 2024 Skills Clinics

Providing education, skill development, and support

Executive Functioning 
Virtual, 3-day Skills Clinic

Tuesdays, 11am - 12pm 

Round 1: Sept. 24th, October 1st, October 8th
or
Round 2: October 29th, November 12th, November 19th

Enrollment ends 1 week prior to the first session or when full

This skills clinic is ideal for students with concerns related to attention/concentration, time management/planning, procrastination and motivation. We will identify goals, strengths and areas for growth for each student. Those diagnosed with ADHD might benefit from the executive functioning training provided, but a diagnosis of ADHD is not required. In fact, many people who struggle with executive functioning impairment may not have ADHD. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Erin Unkefer, PhD for more information.

 

Tools to Manage Anxiety
Virtual, 4-day Skills Clinic

Thursdsays, 3:00 - 4:30pm

October 3rd, October 10th, October 24th, and October 31st.

Enrollment ends 1 week prior to the first session or when full

At this 4-week skills, clinic you will learn the purpose of anxiety and develop your own toolbox of skills to manage anxiety through practice. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Sara Troupe, PsyD for more information. 

Fall 2024 Support Groups

Providing connection, personal growth and support

Invisible Fight: Surviving and Thriving with Chronic Illness
Virtual 

Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00pm
Enrollment ends when full

Living with a chronic illness/medical condition can be an isolating experience. This support group is an opportunity for students who experience chronic conditions (i.e. asthma, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and others) to gather in community for support and validation. It is a space to explore the challenges of navigating various aspects of our world (health care systems, academic environments, personal lives, etc.) while also caring for the self. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Erin Unkefer, PhD for more information.

Black Women's Support Group
Virtual 

Fridays, 4:00-5:15pm
Graduate Students

Enrollment ends when full

A supportive, virtual space for students who identify as Black women, facilitated by Black, female therapists. This unstructured group provides an opportunity to discuss the complexities of navigating spaces within and outside of CMU as a Black woman. Group members identify the weekly discussion topics depending up what is most salient for them. Students discuss and explore feelings and experiences; give and receive advice related to stress and coping, misogynoir, oppression and privilege, intersectional identities, self-esteem, relationships, colorism, family, internalized racism and other topics of interest. Meetings tend to have approximately 6 or 7 group members in attendance. It is a weekly meeting (vs. a drop-in space), so consistent attendance is expected. Everyone’s agreement to maintaining the confidentiality of other members is essential! A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Kym Jordan-Simmons, PhD for more information. 

Master's Student Support Group
In person

Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00pm
Enrollment ends when full

The Master’s Student Support Group provides an opportunity for students to come together and discuss the unique experiences and challenges of being a Master’s student. Examples of these experiences include (but are by no means limited to): difficulties becoming socially involved in the short term frame of a Master’s program, navigating research, or managing time when it feels like there is none. Celebrating progress and milestones will also be an important element of this space and our hope is for students to also be able to feel encouragement and warmth from one another. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Adrijana Vukelic, MSCP for more information. 

Ph.D. Student Support Group
Virtual

Mondays, 6:30-7:30pm 
Enrollment ends when full

The PhD Support Group offers space to confidentially discuss the stressors and challenges of navigating relationships with advisors and peers, academic milestones, academic hazing, low motivation, struggles with self-confidence, and efforts to lead a more balanced life. Group members typically share their experiences, offer and receive support and connect with others during group meetings. The group is able to accommodate no more than one student per program/lab. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Kym Jordan Simmons, PhD  for more information.

Women's Embracing Your Body Support Group
In-person 

Mondays, 6:00-7:00pm
Enrollment ends when group starts.

This support group is perfect for those who want to further their journey towards body acceptance. In this group, you will learn how to become aware of societal body ideals, how to challenge negative body talk, and how to change your relationship with your body. The group provides a safe and confidential space to receive multipleperspectives, feedback, and support from other women. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Sara Troupe, PsyD for more information. 

Neurospicy: Neurodivergent Support Group
In-person

Graduate Students: Mondays, 1:00pm - 2:30pm

Undergraduate Students: Mondays: 11:00am - 12:30pm

Enrollment ends when full

Neurospicy is a neurodivergent therapeutic community and support space housed within CaPS. It provides a safer space for students across the neurodiverse umbrella to discuss their experiences traversing neuro-typical and allistic landscapes, the CMU experience, family relationships, and more. In this group, you will practice relating to others, forming connections within a non-judgemental and supportive environment. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Jayme Jenkins, PhD for more information. 

Fall 2024 Processing Groups

Providing an opportunity to deepen self-awareness, self-acceptance and connection to others

Gender In Process
In-person

Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00pm
Enrollment ends when full

Accepting oneself as outside the gender binary can be a healing experience, but one that is not without challenges. As experiences of gender euphoria replace dysphoria and negative self image, identity concerns and fears related to societal rejection may become louder. The deep discussions in process-style therapy groups provide a unique potential for growth and change. In this group, we’ll explore questions like: Who am I? Am I being received as I intend? How can I manifest the most balanced version of myself? We welcome any person invested in exploring their gender outside the constraints of the binary. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Jayme Jenkins, PhD for more information. 

Understanding Self & Others
In-person

Mondays, 5:30-7:00pm
Enrollment ends when full

A supportive space for students to deepen their awareness and acceptance of themselves while also having the opportunity to practice new, more satisfying ways of connecting with others. This group can help you: overcome fears and doubts in social situations, develop a better understanding of how others perceive you, identify your feelings and express yourself to others, increase assertiveness and deal with conflict effectively, and understand the connection between your interpersonal style and your emotional well-being. A pre-group consultation is required. Contact Abigail Cruz, PhD for more information.

Fall 2024 Affinity Groups

LGBTQIA+ Support & Social Group
In-person

Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00pm

Please see our Outreach page for more information on this Connection Hour.