Group Counseling

Most students feel this way before beginning group therapy! It can sound intimidating to talk about personal issues in front of other people. Group facilitators are trained to help create a safe and supportive environment designed to create a comfortable space for students to give and receive care. Most students find that it gets much easier to share after one or two sessions!

It is okay to feel this way! Anxiety is a deeply powerful emotion that can urge us to avoid situations that could be helpful for the sake of keeping out difficult feelings. However, one of the best ways to help social anxiety improve is to intentionally seek out social environments that are safe and designed to support your journey. Group therapy can be one such place to challenge your social anxiety head-on.

Part of what makes group therapy so powerful is that your concerns are often similar to what other students are struggling with. Although we encourage you to engage and advocate for yourself, students often find they can benefit by hearing how others are struggling with the same concerns.

Not at all! Although you will get the most benefit from group by sharing vulnerably, you are only expected to share as much you feel safe and comfortable to do so. It can be helpful to start by sharing small reactions or by expressing care to others.

Studies show that group therapy is as effective as individual therapy, and in some cases can be more effective.

We often begin to recognize patterns in the relationships we find ourselves in. Whether it’s a lack of assertiveness, a tendency to shut down in conflict, or difficulty knowing how to set boundaries, sometimes our relationships need a little bit of work to really achieve their potential. Understanding Self and Others is a therapy group where you will learn about yourself, how you relate to others, and how others relate to you. It is a unique experience of connection and trust, as members work together to achieve personal and interpersonal goals for growth. For more information, or to schedule a pre-group meeting, please call 410-704-2512.

Spring 2024 Group Times:

Mondays 1 – 2:30 p.m. Dr. Kate DiMattia and Nehemie Dantica
Tuesdays 2 – 3:30 p.m. Dr. Ashton Winslow and Sabrina Vigil
Fridays 3 – 4:30 p.m. Dr. Di Sobel, Jessica DeLeon, and Jacob Moore

Join us as we embark on a quest for adventure and riches while also delving into the realm of insight, exploring personal growth, and creating community. This Dungeons and Dragons (DandD) inspired therapy group is a space where you can jump into a fantasy world, explore different ways of relating with others with your personalized character, and achieve personal growth through navigating puzzles and an exciting storyline with peers. No previous DandD experience necessary.

This group meets at two times during the semester on the following dates:

• February 2 –  April 5: Fridays from 9 – 11 a.m.
• March 7 – May 2: Thursdays from 2 – 4 p.m.

If you would like to join or learn more, please contact, Dr. Kathleen DiMattia, kdimattia AT_TOWSON or Dr. Chris Truong, ctruong AT_TOWSON.

This ongoing treatment group utilizes mindfulness techniques, narrative work, and sensory exercises to help students cope with difficult pain around loss or bereavement.

Group info sessions/screening is required prior to joining this group. To schedule a pre-group screening, please contact the facilitators or call TUCC at 410-704-2512.

This group is facilitated by Dr. Chrissy Walsh, cwalsh AT_TOWSON and Vanessa Cuppari, Vanessa Cuppari, and will meet Mondays from 1 – 2 p.m. 

T-Break is a weekly drop-in group space for students who want to cut back or stop their use of cannabis. T-Break meets Mondays from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. and is facilitated by Zack Hitchens. For more information, please email Zack Hitchens, zhitchens AT_TOWSON. 

One Less is a weekly drop-in group for students who want to cut back or stop their drinking. One Less meets Fridays from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. and is facilitated by Zack Hitchens. For more information, please email Zack Hitchens, zhitchens AT_TOWSON. 

This group is for anyone who identifies or wonders if they are LGBTQIA+ or queer. Whether you are clear about your identity, questioning, or far from sure, this group offers a queer space for students of all backgrounds to confidentially discuss and explore aspects of sexual orientation and gender identity in safety. Group topics are as varied as the participants but have included: discerning an identity, coming out/inviting in, family, religion, dating, etc. This group offers an opportunity to be with others like yourself.

This group is facilitated by Dr. Mike Zebrowski, mzebrowski AT_TOWSON and Sabrina Vigil, svigil AT_TOWSON and will meet Fridays 1 – 2 p.m., throughout the Spring 2024 semester. A second section meets Thursdays from 1 – 2 p.m. If you would like to join or learn more, please contact the facilitators or call 410-704-2512. 

This group is a safe, supportive, and affirming space for Two Spirit, Trans, and Nonbinary students of all backgrounds to discuss and explore aspects of gender identity and gender expression. Group supports wherever you might be on your gender path – defining a new identity, trying out a new name or pronouns, considering gender affirming care, or simply wanting to feel understood and celebrated for being exactly who you are.

This group will meet Fridays 3 – 4 p.m. throughout the spring 2024 term and is facilitated by Dr. Mike Zebrowski, mzebrowski AT_TOWSON and Dr. Chris Truong, ctruong AT_TOWSON. If you would like to join or learn more, please contact the facilitators or call 410-704-2512.

How many times have you answered the question, “How are you doing?” with a shrug and a “Fine, I guess”? Ever felt like you just have to quietly manage hard experiences on your own for fear of being seen as weak? Being a man carries with it a set of social expectations that can corrode our mental health and well-being. Join us for Men’s Group, a therapeutic group space where students can connect with other men around shared experiences, practice vulnerability with each other, and learn effective ways to deepen relationships with loved ones. 

This group meets Wednesdays from 1 – 2 p.m. All students who identify as male are welcome to join. If you would like to join or learn more, please contact Dr. Ashton Winslow, awinslow AT_TOWSON, or Jacob Moore, jamoore AT_TOWSON.

This group provides a supportive space for individuals who identify as immigrants (1st gen, 1.5 gen, 2nd gen, etc.). Students are provided opportunities to receive support related to the immigrant experience, such as family stressors, bicultural identity issues, identity development, U.S. immigration issues, and more. 

This group is facilitated by Dr. Michelle Kirton, mkirton AT_TOWSON, and will meet  Wednesdays from 3:30 – 4:20 p.m. in the ISSO Office (Psychology Building, Suite 408), starting February 7 throughout the spring 2024 term. If you would like to join or learn more, please contact the facilitators or call 410-704-2512.

This group is designed to be a safe space for all women of color to gather and support one another while discussing issues relevant to their lived experiences.

This group is facilitated by Dr. Andrea Obah, aobah AT_TOWSON and Mary Saieed, msaieed AT_TOWSON, and will meet Mondays 4 – 5 p.m. throughout the spring 2024 term. If you would like to join or learn more, please contact the facilitators or call 410-704-2512.

Sister-to-Sister: Black Women Support 

This group is designed to be a safe space for Black-identified women of color to gather together to build community through the shared experiences of Black womanhood. 

This group is facilitated by Dr. Andrea Obah, aobah AT_TOWSON, and Vanessa Howard, showard AT_TOWSON and will meet Wednesdays from 4 – 5 p.m. throughout the spring 2024 term. If you would like to join or learn more, please contact the facilitators or call 410-704-2512.

This drop-in group meets for the entire semester and focuses on self-reflection and skill building to help students learn to be kinder to themselves. It addresses a range of concerns, including low self-esteem, negative self-talk, difficulties with body image, and other forms of not accepting oneself. 

This group is facilitated by Dr. Michelle Kirton, mkirton AT_TOWSON, and meets Mondays from 10 – 11 a.m. throughout the Spring 2024 semester.  If you would like to join or learn more, please contact the facilitator by email or call 410-704-2512.

This drop-in workshop offers three sessions that support students in learning about trauma-related symptoms they may be experiencing. Students will also be provided education on how to begin managing these symptoms independently as well as how to seek additional support when needed.
 
This group is facilitated by Dr. Sarah Wentling, swentling AT_TOWSON. The first section of this group will be offered on the following dates and times:
 
• 2/28 – 3/13: Wednesdays, 1 – 2 p.m.

Students will need to see a counselor for one same-day appointment to discuss their needs and appropriateness for the group. To join, please schedule a same-day appointment by visiting Schedule An Appointment or call 410-704-2515. 

One of the most commonly reported concerns by college students is feeling unprepared to handle anxiety. Looking to expand your anxiety-fighting repertoire? Join Anxiety Toolbox to learn specific evidence-based cognitive-behavioral strategies for coping with anxiety!   

Three sections of this three-week long group will be offered throughout the Spring 2024 semester on the following dates and times:  

• 3/4 – 3/25: Mondays, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• 4/3 – 4/17: Wednesdays, 3 – 4 p.m.
• 4/22 – 5/6: Tuesdays, 4 – 5 p.m.

If you would like to join, please contact the Counseling Center at 410-704-2512.

Executive Function Junction is a drop-in workshop facilitated by Dr. Amber Walser, awalser AT_TOWSON and Dr. Chris Truong, ctruong AT_TOWSON, that is appropriate for any student who is struggling with attention-related issues like focus, procrastination, poor study skills, low motivation, difficulty multitasking, avoidance of work, and in need of organization strategies for time management and planning. Students in need of support, tips and tricks will be able to meet other students having the same concerns, work collaboratively to increase accountability, and build community over shared experiences. 

Students will need to see a counselor first for one same-day appointment to discuss their needs and appropriateness for the group. To join, please schedule a same-day appointment by visiting, Schedule An Appointment or call 410-704-2512.

This group meets Tuesdays from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. starting February 20.