Groups & Workshops

Welcome to Group Counseling

Group counseling helps people solve problems and enhance their personal growth and development. Your progress will depend primarily upon the nature of your problems and how hard you work to solve them.

Information You Should Know About Group Counseling:

• Group counseling involves personal, academic, or career concerns with group members.
  
• There is no fee.
  
• Discussions within the group are confidential except when the counselor believes a person might act on the idea of harming him/herself or someone else, when child abuse or neglect is reported, or when information is requested by court order. If you are receiving individual counseling within the center, the group leader may choose to communicate with your individual counselor. If this is a concern to you please discuss it with your counselor.
  
• The number of sessions the group meets is determined by the counselor.
  
• Some of the groups will close or not accept new members after a few weeks. If members need to miss a session, contact with the counselor prior to the session will be appreciated. If at any time you wish to stop attending the group tell your counselor. This will allow us to serve students best.
  
• If you are uncomfortable with your attending the group, please discuss this with your counselor and/or the group. Decisions to stop group or switch to individual counseling often are appropriate choices and will be respected. On occasion, counselors will make referrals to appropriate resources in the community.
  
• Feel free to discuss questions or concerns you might have about the Counseling Center with any of our counselors.
  

  Support Groups/Workshops

  COUNSELING CENTER GROUPS
  Fall 2009
  CALL 989-774-3381 FOR INFORMATION
  

Is Your Family Driving You Crazy??? Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families Group: Learn coping skills to deal with the negative emotional and social effects of growing up in a dysfunctional family. Fridays from 1:00 p.m. - 1:50 p.m., September 18th through December 4th, Foust Hall, Room 103. Facilitated by Sharon Tilmann, MA, LMSW, LPC. To register call the CMU Counseling Center at 774-3381. Questions? Contact Sharon Tilmann at 774-3381 or tilma1s@cmich.edu .

College Life: How's It Going???   Is independence harder than you thought?  Are you feeling lonely or having trouble connecting with others?  Is it difficult sharing your room?  Are you struggling to balance your classes and your social life?  Do you miss your friends and family back home?  For more information on how to meet others who understand and to learn ways to connect to CMU and enjoy college life call the CMU Counseling Center at 774-3381 or contact Melissa Hutchinson at hutch1m@cmich.edu or Lisa Donahue Smith at donah1l@cmich.edu.

Women's Group. This group is for women who wish to talk with female peers about personal issues (e.g., relationships, family stress, self-doubts, etc.).  This group will consist of six to eight women with diverse experiences and concerns and will center around developing and enhancing relationships with themselves and others.  Group meetings will be held on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Foust Hall, Room 103 beginning September 30th.  Facilitated by Arshia Ebrahimi, Ph.D.  To register call CMU Counseling Center at 774-3381 or contact Arshia Ebrahimi at ebrah1a@cmich.edu.

Stress Management Group. This group will focus on cause/effect and the mind/body connection associated with stress.  Four meetings over consecutive weeks will help participants define terms, identify stressors, and increase ability to manage stress.  Meetings are designed so anyone interested in attending can start at any point during the semester; specific lesson plans will repeat after week four.  Group meetings will be held on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. until noon in Foust Hall, Room 103 beginning September 8th.  Facilitated by Cory Cole.  To register call CMU Counseling Center at 774-3381.  Questions?  Contact Cory Cole at cole1c@cmich.edu or by calling 774-3381.

Unhealthy Relationships Group.  Does your partner....Act jealous?  Blame you for anything that goes wrong?  Continually criticize you, call you names?  Manipulate you with lies and contradictions?  Withhold approval, appreciation, or affection as punishment?  Insult your friends or family?  Threaten to hurt themselves or you?

Many times relationships which began as loving turn controlling - leading to lack of confidence, isolation, self-blame, and safety concerns.  This support group will meet weekly to explore concerns and to learn and share options regarding these relationships; whether current or in the past.  Group meetings will be held Wednesdays from 2:00-3:00 p.m. beginning September 9th, Foust Hall, Room 103.  Leader: Brooke Oliver, MA LLPC.  To attend please call the CMU Counseling Center at 774-3381 or contact Brooke Oliver at oliver1bl@cmich.edu.

Sexual Aggression Group.  This is a women's support group for survivors of any unwanted sexual contact.  The group will prove a safe environment for survivors to discuss issues surrounding sexual assault and sexual abuse and how this has affected their lives.  The group will meet weekly on Thursdays from 3:00-4:00 p.m. beginning September 10th, Foust Hall, Room 103.  Please contact the CMU Counseling Center at 774-3381 or contact Brooke Oliver at oliver1bl@cmich.edu for further information.

Labyrinth Workshops.The Counseling Center has a 24-foot diameter canvas labyrinth. Labyrinth workshops are available for classes and RSOs. The labyrinth path is a symbol for one's life journey and can be walked individually or collectively. The walk offers opportunities for reflection, relaxation, creativity, problem solving, and team building. Please contact Michelle Bigard at bigar1mf@cmich.edu or by calling 774-3381.