Group Therapy

Group Support

Group Therapy for Fall 2026

Interested in joining a group?

If you're interested in joining a group, please sign-up through our link below or contact SHCS to be added to the group roster. All groups will require a group screening and completion of consent forms prior to attending the first group session. Groups are held on zoom, in person, or hybrid (in-person and zoom).

Sign-up for a Group

Download a PDF copy of all our Group Therapy handout. (Groups subject to change)

Group Therapy

ADHD Bootcamp: Sustaining Focus (In-Person)

This group is meant for students who have a pattern of starting off strong and then struggling to maintain the momentum, students who know exactly what they need to do but still struggle to get themselves to do it. In this ADHD Bootcamp, students will have the opportunity to prac-tice accountability, gain personalized tools that leverage their strengths, and be in community.

Facilitator: Dr. Claudia Miranda
Date & Time: Tuesdays at 1:30 pm -3:30 pm

Body and Soul Integrated Wellness (In-Person)

This is a supportive, skills-based group designed to help students cultivate balance, resilience, and self-awareness by addressing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing together. The group offers a holistic approach to wellness, recognizes the powerful connection between body, mind, and inner values. Through guided discus-sions, experiential activities, and practical tools, participants will explore a variety of topics to develop sustainable wellness practices.

Facilitator: Dr. Jay Howell
Date & Time: Mondays at 11:00 am -12:00 pm

Conscious Connecting (In-Person)

This group provides a safe place for students to understand themselves in the context of their relationships, whether this be familial, romantic, friendships, or other self-described relationships. It’s an opportunity to explore patterns and behaviors that arise in these relationships while receiving support and feedback from others.

Facilitator: Dr. Jay Howell
Date & Time: Tuesdays at 2:30 pm -4:00 pm

DBT-Based Skills Forum (Zoom)

This group helps students learn and practice skills drawn from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) including distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills.

Facilitator: Dr. Juan Alvarez
Date & Time: Tuesdays at 3:00 - 4:30 pm

Entre Familia (Zoom)

This group provides Latinx/Latine students a space to share, learn, and explore issues related to their culture, identity, family, academics, and any other issues affecting them. The group also focuses on building community, mutual support, and empowerment. This group is conducted in English and Spanish.

Facilitator: Dr. Lissa Lim and Daniele Navarro Verdugo, M.A.
Date & Time: Mondays at 1:00 - 2:00 pm

Gathering Compassion (Zoom)

This group is a safe space to practice self-care and learn about the different ways compassion and mindfulness can help you cope with everyday stress. The goal of the group is to learn to manage painful emotions and life's difficulties through the daily cultivation and practice of self-compassion.

Facilitator: Dr. Juan Alvarez and Ali Balucanag, M.A.
Date & Time: Thursdays at 4:00 -5:00 pm

Grief and Loss (In-Person)

This group will provide a framework for understanding grief, processing, receiving support, and most importantly to understand your own grief in context. This group is for those who are 6+ weeks post loss.

Facilitator: Marcy Ryan, LMFT and Adia Fadaei, M.A.
Date & Time: Thursdays at 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Healing Hearts (In-Person)

This group is designed for people affected by sexual trauma and is open to people of all genders. The group provides a safe and empowering space for students to gain support, connect with each other, and learn coping skills that can help them move toward healing.

Facilitator: Dr. Lissa Lim and Izan Corso, M.A.
Date & Time: Fridays at 3:00 - 4:30 pm

Healing thru Art from Interpersonal Harm (In-Person)

The group is for student survivors of relationship abuse, sexual trauma, harassment, stalking, etc. Students will explore the impacts of trauma, create meaning and cultivate awareness thru a variety of creative art practices. Each session will begin with a check-in and end with a strength, mantra, or mindful somatic movement. The group format will include brief psychoeducation of trauma and art practices. Open to all genders. To register email to schedule a brief 15min phone or zoom screening: advocates@csusm.edu.

Facilitator: Gricelda Alva-Brito, SEP and TRLC
Date & Time: Advocate will provide time and location.

LGBTQIA+ Safer Space (In-Person)

This group provides a safe and supportive environment for persons who identify as LGBTQIA, those who might be questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity, and those who would like support as they navigate the coming out process. Come join us to meet new peo-ple, build a sense of community, and to share your experiences (both the benefits and chal-lenges) of being LGBTQIA.

Facilitator: Dr. Jay Howell and Junye Ma, M.A./M.S.
Date & Time: Wednesdays at 2:00 - 3:00pm

Mindfulness for Depression (In-Person)

This group helps students learn and use Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) skills to manage depression, stress, and burn-out.

Facilitator: Dr. Ryan Stevenson and Ellie Nisbet, M.A.
Date & Time: Tuesdays at 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Women of Color Connection (In-Person)

This support group is for cis and trans women of color students to explore, share, and learn how their multiple identities impact their personal and interpersonal experiences. Members choose topics which can include cultural identity, family, gender roles, academic stress, romantic relationships, friendships, social justice concerns, and mental health and well-being.

Facilitator: Dr. Leah Tappero
Date & Time: Fridays at 3:00 - 4:45 pm

Drop-In Groups

Flutter

This is a drop-in group for immigration-impacted students. The group creates a safe and confidential space to discuss resources, build community, and give and receive support for immigration related experiences. Join anytime!

Facilitator: Dr. Lissa Lim and Daniela Navarro Verdugo, M.A.
Date & Time: Counselor will provide time and location.

Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART)(Zoom)

SMART Recovery is a secular, evidence-based recovery program that helps people overcome addictive behaviors and lead a balanced life. Currently this drop-in group is for CSUSM students only.

Facilitator: Dr. Jay Howell
Date & Time: Thursdays at 12:00 pm -1:00 pm

Social Anxiety Toolbox (Hybrid)

This is a weekly drop-in workshop that will help provide participants with a better understanding of social anxiety. It will also teach skills to manage it, including cognitive, behavioral, and mindful self-compassion approaches.

Facilitator: Dr. Ryan Stevenson
Date & Time: Thursdays at 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Worry Well: A Drop-In Group for Managing Anxiety (Zoom)

A supportive space to build practical tools for navigating anxiety and stress. Participants will learn emotion regulation strategies, calming techniques, mindfulness practices, and ways to improve self-care. Information and helpful resources will be provided to better understand and manage anxiety symptoms.

Facilitator: Marcy Ryan, LMFT
Date & Time: Tuesdays at 2:00 - 3:00 pm