The Counseling Center offers a variety of group experiences that provide opportunities to identify with others who have similar concerns; to increase self-awareness and self-acceptance; and to improve the quality of your life, work, and personal relationships. Most groups are free, and all groups are open to undergraduate and graduate students. Most groups meet weekly, usually for a total of 8-10 weeks during a semester.
For more information about particular groups: Call the Counseling Center (410-704-2512) and ask to speak with the group leader(s) or with the Groups Coordinator, Dr. Nancy Hensler.
To sign up for a group: Call or stop by the Counseling Center and schedule a group informational meeting ("group intake appointment"). Mention the group(s) in which you are interested. If you are new to the Counseling Center, or if you haven't received services in the past three months, you will need to schedule a general intake appointment before or in conjunction with your group intake appointment. If a group already has started, you can put your name on the group waitlist for the following semester.
To provide feedback about the Groups Program or to suggest new groups: Contact the Groups Coordinator, Dr. Nancy Hensler (410-704-2512; nhensler@towson.edu).
Relationships Group (typically, 3 groups each semester): One of the challenges of adulthood is to develop healthy relationships with others, especially peers. Students meet weekly during the semester to support each other in addressing a range of issues facing students and to discover new ways of understanding themselves and relating to others.
This short video helps explain what to expect in a relationships group:
Sexual Assault Survivors Group: A space for female survivors of recent or past sexual assaults to gain support from one another and learn ways to cope with the aftermath of assault. Group members will not be asked to share the details of their experiences but, rather, will be invited to explore the impact of the assault(s) on their lives.
Contact: Dr. Cathy Sullivan-Windt
Substance Education Group: This program is designed to offer education about alcohol and other drugs, to encourage personal awareness through discussion, and to increase one's ability to self-diagnose a problem in these areas.
Contact: Emily Sears, MS
Substance Therapy/DWI Treatment Program: This program is offered to students who, as a result of abuse or dependence, need educational information about chemical dependency and recovery. Students must: (1) be willing to commit to total abstinence, (2) be willing to seek support to abstain completely, and (3) learn about other non-chemical activities that are effective in their recovery.
Contact: Emily Sears, MS
Images of Me: This support group for women of color focuses on issues of interest to its members. Topics often include: managing stress, romantic relationships, family matters, building self-esteem, and body image concerns.
Student Bodies: This group for women is a free, eight-week, online course designed to improve students' knowledge about nutrition, exercise and positive body image. The course combines an exploration of body image and self esteem with self-assessment and self-improvement tools. It also addresses eating disorders and invites participants to become more media-savvy about issues related to body image. Students who participated fully in the eight-week course experienced significant improvement in their body image and self esteem.
Contact: Dr. Jaime Fenton
Coping Skills Clinic: This skill-based group is open to new participants each week; you can attend once or many times and weekly topics are determined by the interests of those who attend. In the group sessions, you will learn essential skills and strategies for coping with a variety of challenges (e.g., stress, anxiety, worry, panic attacks; anger management; avoidance & procrastination; & planning for success).
Grief and Loss Support Group: This group is offered for students who are grieving the loss of someone significant in their lives, whether that loss was recent or in the past. The group meetings provide helpful information and resources as well as a supportive space for students to share their experiences and coping strategies.
LGBTQ Support Group: Speak with other students who may share some of your same feelings, issues, or concerns in a safe place.
Discuss topics relevant to LGBTQ people.
The Counseling Center also offers the following workshop series:
Mindfulness Meditation (Wednesdays at 3:30pm - Student Union): Mindfulness helps manage unpleasant emotions and stress. Mindfulness teaches us how we can receive and use the power of “negative” emotions to strengthen our self-awareness and enrich our lives.
8000 York Road | Towson, MD 21252 | 410-704-2000
