Support Groups

Support groups are open to Columbia students on the Morningside/Manhattanville campus who have paid the full Columbia Health and Related Services Fee.

Students are welcome to join support spaces and groups that are in progress unless otherwise indicated in the group description. Please contact the facilitator if you have any questions.


All hours are listed in Eastern time.

 

Virtual Support Spaces

In Progress:

    Autism Support Group (hybrid)

    Fridays
    9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
    1/19/2024 - 5/10/2024

    Time Management

    Tuesdays
    2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
    1/30/2024 - 5/7/2024

    Bereavement

    Fridays
    1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
    2/2/24 - end date TBD

    Compassion-Based Resilience Training (CBRT)

    Thursdays
    11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    2/8/2024 - 4/4/2024 (except 3/14)

    Upcoming:

    Transforming Trauma Workshop

    Friday (3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/12)
    2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
    3/22/2024 - 4/12/2024

    International Students Support Group

    Thursdays
    1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
    Start and End Date TBD

    Making Peace with Food

    Fridays
    1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
    3/22/2024 - 4/26/2024

    In-Person Support Groups

    In Progress:

    Autism Support Group (hybrid)

    Fridays
    9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
    1/19/2024 - 5/10/2024

    Getting Things Done

    Fridays
    3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
    2/2/2024 - 5/10/2024

    Upcoming:

    Procrastination Workshop

    Monday (3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8)
    5:30  - 7:00 p.m.
    3/18/2024 - 4/8/2024

    Enhancing Your Relationship: A Workshop for Couples

    Monday (4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6)
    5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
    4/15/2024 - 5/6/2024

    First Gen American Trauma Group

    Fridays
    3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
    Start date TBD

    Healing From Childhood and Adolescent Sexual Abuse

    Mondays
    5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
    Start and end date TBD

    Group Descriptions

    Virtual Support Spaces

    Due to the open and online nature of this virtual space, this is not private or confidential though participants are encouraged to be respectful and practice discretion. This is intended to be an interactive support space, not group therapy. The facilitators respectfully request that all participants have their video enabled during meetings.

    Fridays
    9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
    1/19/2024 - 5/10/2024

    Facilitator: Motoni Fong Hodges, Ph.D.

    This is a supportive community space open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are on the autism spectrum. We will meet once a week either via Zoom or in person to connect and converse with others on selected topics of mutual interest.

    To join, please email [email protected] with "Autism" in the subject line if you would like to participate in the workshop.

    Fridays
    1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
    2/2/2024 - end date TBD

    Facilitator: Debra Domenech, Ph.D. and Jorge Alvarenga, Ph.D.

    The death of a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences in life. This is further complicated during a pandemic and times of transition. If you would like a space where you can share with peers who are also going through this, you are invited to attend. This will be a weekly space for graduate and undergraduate students to meet and support each other.

    To join, email [email protected] and [email protected] with "Bereavement" in the subject line.

    Thursdays
    11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    2/8/2024 - 4/4/2024 (except 3/11)

    Facilitators: Andrew Colitz, Ph.D. and Michael Perez Sosa, Ph.D. (Certified teacher of CBRT)

    Compassion-Based Resilience Training (CBRT) is an 8-week research-backed intervention shown to reduce symptoms of chronic stress, trauma, burnout, anxiety, and depression while also improving subjective well-being, interpersoal efficacy, emotion regulation, and self-compassion.  CBRT utilizes methods such as mindfulness and compassion meditation practices, imagery, breath work, and postures along with a multidisciplinary perspective informed by research in neuroscience, positive psychology, attachment theory, polyvagal theory, and contemplative psychotherapy to help participants stop surviving and start thriving.

    The first four weeks focus on mindfulness-based personal healing to help break the cycle of stress and trauma while the last four weeks focus on compassion-based relational healing to help build resilience, prevent burnout, and increase interpersonal capacities such as reducing implicit bias and improving empathy for others.

    To join, email [email protected] and [email protected] with "CBRT" in the subject line.  

    Thursdays
    1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
    Start and End Date TBD

    Facilitator: Manali Roy, Ph.D.

    This is a virtual workshop and support space for international students to share their experiences of adjusting to a new country, culture, community, and systems and to learn ways to navigate the transitions. We will talk about skills to cope with stress, anxiety, imposter syndrome, managing existing and new relationships, as well as any other topics of shared interest.

    To join, email [email protected] with "International Students" in the subject line.

    Fridays
    1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
    3/22/2024 - 4/26/2024

    Facilitators: Eduvigis Cruz-Arrieta, Ph.D. and Mengpin Zhang, Psy.D.

    Do you feel guilty when you are eating or think about how it feels that food controls your life? Do you reach out for food to cope with unpleasant feelings? Do you reject food in any way? Do you feel like your eating habits sometimes get out of control? Are you preoccupied with your physical appearance? Would you like to Make Peace with Food?

    This virtual, skill-building support space aims to help develop a more peaceful relationship with food and one's body through learning about bio-socio-cultural factors that impact our eating behaviors and coping strategies to reduce reliance on food behaviors when facing difficult feelings.

    To join, email [email protected] and [email protected] with "Peace with Food" in the subject line.

    Tuesdays
    2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
    1/30/2024 - 5/7/2024

    Facilitator: Shirley Matthews, Ph.D.

    This virtual workshop will focus on helping you develop the life skills that will help you achieve your goals. If you are working on a professional project, thesis, or dissertation this virtual support group may be what you need to break free of the secret pleasures of mismanaging time and put you in a position to achieve your important long-term goals. Participants will learn how to set priorities when there is “too much to do.” You will learn techniques to help you break free of procrastination.
     
    Skills known to help address time-wasting, thought distortions such as imposter syndrome, and self-defeating behaviors will be addressed. And of course, we will look at ways to cope with interruptions and everyday competing demands.
     
    All of this will be built on a foundation of kindness, with an emphasis on self-compassion, in an environment of safety and shared accountability. We will work together to create a shame-free zone of collaboration that has in the past, helped participants reach successful goal completion.

    To join, email [email protected] with "Time Management" in the subject line.

    Friday (3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/12)
    2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
    3/22/2024 - 4/12/2024

    Facilitators: Sowmya Kshytriya, Ph.D. and Mengpin Zhang, Ph.D.

    Trauma comes in many forms and can interfere with one’s ability to perform optimally in any area/s of life such as academic, social, or personal. This is a group for students who are seeking to learn about psychological trauma and practical tools to cope with their trauma.

    This workshop will be a psychoeducational and experiential, 4-session workshop, that will provide you with the knowledge and practical tools to understand and manage your trauma. At this workshop, you will get to learn about and practice techniques related to relaxation training/breathing, grounding, and somatic healing.

    This workshop will be open to all Columbia students who have paid the full Columbia Health and Related Service Fee.

    To join, email [email protected] and [email protected] with "Transforming Trauma" in the subject line.

    In-Person Support Groups

    Due to the open nature of support groups, this is not private or confidential though participants are encouraged to be respectful and practice discretion. This is intended to be an interactive support group, not individual therapy.

    Fridays
    9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
    1/19/2023 - 5/10/2024

    Facilitator: Motoni Fong Hodges, Ph.D.

    This is a supportive community space open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are on the autism spectrum. We will meet once a week either via Zoom or in person to connect and converse with others on selected topics of mutual interest.

    To join, please email [email protected] with "Autism" in the subject line if you would like to participate in the workshop.

    This workshop is now full.

    Fridays
    12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
    1/19/2024 - end date TBD

    Facilitator: Maria Narimanidze, Psy.D.

    A psychotherapy group to help participants understand and improve their relationships with others – friends, romantic partners, family, and others. Members will have a chance to explore their personal histories, including attachment histories, and practice, in vivo, more effective ways of communicating.

    The group will address areas like:

    • Understanding boundaries
    • Managing expectations
    • Disagreeing/ addressing conflict effectively
    • Asking for what you want
    • Active listening & validation
    • Receiving feedback
    • Knowing when and how to end a relationship that is not working

    To sign up for the group, please email [email protected] with "Relationships" in the subject line. Please note that an initial consultation with the facilitator will be required to gauge whether this group is an appropriate fit.

    Monday (4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6)
    5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
    4/15/2024 - 5/6/2024

    Facilitators: Yaniv Phillips, Ph.D. and Kim Nguyen, Psy.D.

    Have a strong foundation for your committed relationship, but want to make it even better? This might be the workshop for you!

    This hands-on, sequential 4-session workshop will provide practical tools for couples who wish to strengthen their relationship. Topics include: Understanding Relational Expectations and Beliefs, Nurturing the Positives in the Relationship, Improving Problem-Solving Ability, and Communication Skills.

    The workshop is open to all Columbia students who have paid the full Columbia Health and Related Service Fee and their partners.

    To join, email [email protected] and [email protected] with “Couples Workshop” in the subject line.

    Fridays
    3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
    Start date TBD

    Facilitator: Mercedes J. Okosi, Psy.D.

    This group is for students who are adult children of immigrant parents and who have experienced trauma. Often, it can be difficult to grow up in the United States and have parents from another country with a different understanding of mental health, and their own values and stigmas. Trauma may also occur across generations of a family. Ideally, students in this group will also have had some experience in individual therapy. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome.

    The group will provide a safer space for adult children of immigrants to process their own trauma histories and feel supported by others who may relate to them. Students should be prepared to discuss how their trauma and responses to their trauma have been impacted by family dynamics. The group will focus on psychoeducation about trauma and the impacts of intergenerational trauma, coping skills, tools for better communication, and exploration of cultural norms and stigmas.

    To join, please email [email protected] with "First Gen" in the subject line.

    Fridays
    3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
    2/2/2024 - 5/10/2024

    Facilitator: David Hittson, Ph.D.

    Getting Things Done is a group that focuses on helping students to improve their productivity and their relationship to work/working. The group employs a mixed approach of psychoeducation, skill building, accountability and process therapy to tackle problems of procrastination and work avoidance. Members are expected to attend weekly and to engage with a process of trying new strategies and processing their experiences with other group members. Group participation will require a brief screening appointment and interested students are asked to reach out to the facilitator to be screened if they are interested.

    To join, email [email protected] with "Getting Things Done" in the subject line.

    Mondays
    5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
    Start and end date TBD

    Facilitator: Marcia Stern, Ph.D. 

    This eight-week group offers an opportunity for female and gender non-binary students with a history of childhood or adolescent sexual assault to meet in a safe, confidential, and supportive space.  The group's goals are to increase understanding of trauma's impact, decrease isolation, reduce shame and self-blame, enhance coping skills, and increase their capacity for safe relationships.  

    Email [email protected] with "Group" in the subject line. Please note that an initial consultation with the facilitator will be scheduled prior to the start of the group.

    Monday (3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8)
    5:30  - 7:00 p.m.
    3/18/2024 - 4/8/2024

    Facilitator: Yaniv Phillips, Ph.D.

    This 4-session in-person workshop may be what you need to turn the dial down on procrastination and finish the semester strong. This workshop will help you figure out how to let go of self-regulation problems and learn to take the necessary steps toward achieving your goals. We will look at underlying causes of procrastination, and introduce techniques such as use of goal setting, time management techniques, and how to use accountability to achieve what matters to you most. The workshop focus will be on the concerns of the Columbia University student, but all community members are welcome to participate. Come have fun and work on getting things done.

    To join, email [email protected] with "Procrastination" in the subject line.

    This workshop is full. Stay tuned for the Fall 2024 group.

    Fridays
    10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
    Start and End Dates TBD

    Facilitators: Annette Santiago-Espana, Ph.D. and Melanie Kressel, Psy.D.

    This confidential support group is for undergraduate and graduate students of all genders who are motivated and invested in their path toward recovery from a range of eating and body image concerns. Group members will have the opportunity to explore issues related to eating concerns such as relationships, body image, self-concept, race and culture, gender, social media, trauma, family, academic pressures, and coping with relapse. The students in this group will feel empowered and supported, and work towards building a strong sense of self as they develop and maintain healthy attitudes and behaviors.

    To join, email [email protected] and [email protected] with "Reawakening" in the subject line.

    If you don’t find something that meets your needs, please check back. We add to our offerings throughout the year.  You may also email Anne Goldfield, Associate Clinical Director for Outreach and Community Clinical Services, with your suggestions at [email protected]