By Luiz Coelho
Have you ever considered group therapy?
Unlike some may think, group therapy goes beyond the “Hi, my name is So-and-so,” Addicts Anonymous stereotypes.
This fall, SCAD Atlanta’s Counseling and Student Support Services (CS3) is offering a series of group activities to promote students’ psychological wellness.
Some of the activities are a continuation of past groups, such as the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual (GLBT) and grief support groups. According to CS3 graduate intern Mindy Gold, both groups were successful last quarter and many of the past students are expected to continue meeting this quarter. CS3 will also offer time management workshops again this fall.
New group activities include dream explorations, relaxation, help with money management and presentation nervousness.
CS3 graduate intern Mary Stalvey, said fall into three categories: process groups, support groups and workshops. process groups, like dream explorations and relaxation, are more self-guided. The facilitator stays in the background.
In support groups, on the other hand, the facilitator is more active, which establishes empathy and group cohesion. In both cases, groups are encouraged to explore emerging issues on a long-term basis.
Workshops cover the same content every week.
Why should anyone join a group? According to Stalvey, it helps students build trust and relationships with one another. Members can teach each other to feel safe to explore sensitive issues and resolve emotional difficulties, Stalvey said, adding, “The sum is greater than the parts.”
Gold said there is a sense of normalcy when one deals with people who go through the same kind of problems. It will take some weeks to establish a relationship of trust and confidentiality, but after that, the group develops into its own entity and governs itself, she said.
Gold and Stalvey said group work can be just as effective as individual work in dealing with delicate issues. However, CS3 does still offer individual counseling.
CS3 also sponsors “Can We Talk?” a session in which a counselor will visit residence halls to listen to students’ problems and concerns. The idea was well-received in Savannah, where it began.
All CS3 activities and counseling sessions are free of charge.
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Support Groups, Process Groups and Workshops offered by CS3 this quarter (a complete list can be obtained at the CS3 main offices):
GLBTQ Support Group
Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m., Conference Room 177, 1st floor
Good Grief: Grief Support Group
Tuesdays, 5-6p.m., Conference Room 177, 1st floor
The Focus Group
Tuesdays, 4-5p.m., Conference Room 177, 1st floor
Dream Explorations
Thursdays, 1:30-3p.m., Conference room 177, 1st floor
Relaxation 101
Wednesdays, 4-5p.m., Magnolia room, Spring House
Dollars and Sense
Fridays, 10-11a.m., Conference Room 177, 1st floor
Study Smarter, Not Harder
Fridays, 11-12 p.m., Conference Room 177, 1st floor
Time Wise
Fridays, 4-5p.m., Conference Room 177, 1st floor
ABC’s of Eliminating Test Anxiety
Fridays, 2-3p.m., conference Room 177, 1st floor
Fearless Presenting
Fridays, 3-4p.m., Conference Room 177, 1st floor
