Virginia Tech® home

Group Counseling

counseling3

Group counseling is one of our primary clinical services.  For many students, group therapy is the most effective and appropriate treatment option.

Group counseling is a unique opportunity available to students in need of a supportive environment.  It allows students to hear multiple perspectives and receive encouragement and feedback from peers in a safe and confidential environment.  These interpersonal interactions deepen self-awareness and help members learn new ways of relating to others.  While some of our groups focus primarily on deepening this understanding of self and others, we also have groups that focus on specific concerns and skill development.

Getting started with group counseling begins with a Cook Connect appointment, or a conversation with your counselor.  You and the clinician will discuss if group counseling is the appropriate form of treatment.  Your counselor will also provide information about our groups so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.  Groups meet weekly for 60-90 minutes.  There are typically 5-12 students in each group and 1-2 group leaders.

Check out our videos and the links below for more information about our group program.  

For those who wish to increase self-understanding, self-esteem, and intimacy in relationships, as well as address interpersonal style and relationship-building skills. Both undergraduate and graduate groups are available.

This group is for students who have experienced severe mental illness and/or hospitalization to receive support, feedback, and understanding of how their mental illness affects their lives and their relationships.

This group teaches mindfulness practices that help manage anxiety. Each week, members practice mindfulness exercises and discuss how they are moving through their anxiety to pursue the things that matter to them.

For those who have experienced the death of a loved one. Group provides psychoeducation on the grieving process and supportivediscussion.

For those who have repetitive worries or behaviors that get in the way of their daily life. This group focuses on systematically confronting worrying thoughts or compulsive thoughts/behaviors. 

For those struggling with negative self-talk or self-criticism. Provides space to receive support and teaches strategies to improve relationship with self and others.

For students with ADHD symptoms (formal diagnosis not required) who are seeking support, connection, and a space to process experiences related to having ADHD.

For students with a variety of concerns. This group brings the latest brain science of experiencing more calm amidst difficulties of stress, anxiety, overthinking, procrastination, sadness, inertia, and agitation that impede us from acting from our best selves. Students will learn and practice skills and share, if they are comfortable, about their experience of finding their way out of the "high zone" and "low zone" and into their "resilient zone."

For students to learn skills related to emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and more from a dialectical behavior therapy framework.

For students wanting to improve social skills through gaming.

An Introduction to Group Counseling at Cook Counseling Center

Closed Captions available

Understanding Self and Others Group Counseling

Closed Captions available

Counseling groups require a referral. Ask your Cook Connect clinician or your individual clinician for more information.