Section 1 (Virtual): Mondays, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | February 2 - April 20

Section 2 (In person): Thursdays, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | February 4 - April 23

Navigating academic programs, work and relationships as a trans, nonbinary or gender nonconforming student can be tough and isolating. This weekly group is an opportunity to give and receive support; practice emotional regulation, self-advocacy and stress management; and connect with other Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) students on campus. This group supports students in any stage of gender transition and exploration. Meetings will include space for discussion of topics including coming out, relationships, safety and accessing healthcare.

Group Leader: Imogen Page, LGSW

To join: Contact us at 612-624-1444.

Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | February 3 - May 12

Wednesdays, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | February 4 - May 13

Do you struggle with symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis and want to learn how to cope? Do you struggle with time management, wrangling your attention, staying organized, and being present with others? Me and My ADHD is a group designed to provide training and support for you to do life better with ADHD.

Group Leader: Derek Otte, LICSW 

To join: Contact us at 612-624-1444.

Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | February 5 - March 19

Is it me? Is it them? Is it in my head? When relationships are going well, we feel energized, connected, and safe. When things are not going well, stress, anxiety, conflict, fear, anger, and countless other strong reactions can come as swiftly as a vampire, draining the life out of the relationship and our capacity to exist as a person.

The Vampires of Healthy Relationships Group examines the core pillars of starting, maintaining, nurturing (or ending) relationships.

The group examines relationships with family, friends, work, romantic/sexual partners. Some key topics include communication styles, personal and relationship needs, love languages, conflict management, red flags, and boundaries.

Group leader: Vaughn Paradise, MS, LPCC

To join: Contact us at 612-624-1444.

Fridays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | January 30 - March 13

Struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or anxiety can feel isolating, but you don’t have to face it alone. This therapy group offers a supportive space to explore the patterns that keep anxiety and compulsions going. More importantly, it is a space to build the skills to change them. Blending approaches from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Narrative Therapy, we’ll help you learn to identify triggers, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and re-author the stories anxiety has been writing.

Each session includes a mix of guided discussion, hands-on activities, and practical homework to help you apply what you’re learning in real life. Whether you’re just starting your mental health journey or deepening existing work, this group is designed to empower you with tools, insight, and community with people working towards similar goals.

Group leader: Vaughn Paradise, MS, LPCC

To join: Contact us at 612-624-1444.

Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | March 19 - April 23

This group introduces science-backed lifestyle interventions that improve mental health and well-being. Through group discussions and practical exercises, students will learn how to turn scientific insights into meaningful daily habits that enhance focus, mood, and resilience. This group is for students who are already established with a psychiatric provider at Boynton Health.

Group leaders: Eileen Huttlin Kirtane, MD and Margie Bailey, RN

To join: Contact us at 612-624-1444.

Fridays, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | February 6 - May 15

Balance and Beyond is a supportive and nonjudgmental therapy group designed for college students looking to explore and improve their relationship with substance use. Whether you're re-evaluating your habits, seeking healthier coping strategies, or simply curious about making a change, this group offers a space for open discussions, self-reflection, and peer support. Through guided conversations, mindfulness practices, and harm reduction strategies, we’ll work together to build insight, set personal goals, and create a more balanced and intentional approach to substance use—without stigma or pressure.

Group Leader: Nikki Malecek, LPCC

To join: Contact us at 612-624-1444.

Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | March 17 - April 28

In this therapy group, participants use collaborative storytelling and role-playing to explore the roots of their anxiety, strengthen confidence, and connect with others on similar journeys. You’ll create a character that represents your inner strengths and challenges, embarking on adventures that mirror real-life growth.

Drawing inspiration from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Narrative Therapy, each session blends creativity with evidence-based strategies to help you face fears, practice coping skills, and build resilience—both in and out of session.

No experience with tabletop games or Dungeons and Dragons is needed! We use a simplified, beginner-friendly system designed to make the experience accessible, fun, and deeply meaningful.

Group leader: Vaughn Paradise, MS, LPCC

To join: Contact us at 612-624-1444.

Wednesdays (Virtual), 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

These groups meet every other week to provide support and focus on problem-solving strategies for graduate students at the dissertation or thesis stage of their programs, who have passed oral preliminary exams and/or their dissertation/thesis proposals. These groups fill quickly, and there may be a waiting list for an opening. Space becomes available as students complete their degrees.

Group Leaders: Sarra Beckham-Chasnoff, PhD, LP, LMFT

To join: Contact 612-624-1444.

Tuesdays (In-person), 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | February 3 - May 12 

Thursdays (Virtual), 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | January 22 - May 28

An opportunity for students who have lost a parent or sibling in their lives to share their stories, while giving and receiving support around the many issues faced during the grieving process. Participants will be able to discuss their loss in a safe and supportive setting with others who have been through similar experiences. We know not all families look alike. Grief Support Group is inclusive of your family's definition of "parent" and "sibling." It can include the loss of any primary caregiver (e.g., parent, grandparent, uncle/aunt) or a peer-aged relative in the same household (e.g., cousins, siblings) with whom you were raised.

In-person Group Leaders: Sarra Beckham-Chasnoff, PhD, LP, LMFT and Taylor Karnilaw, MS

Virtual Group Leader: Siming Xie, PhD, LP

To join: Contact 612-624-1444 to schedule a group screening/orientation meeting with group facilitators.

Section 2: Tuesdays, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | February 2 - April 28

Section 3: Fridays, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | February 6 - May 1

Graduate Student Group: Wednesdays, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | February 18 - April 29

Do you want to develop better relationship skills? The Understanding Self & Others (USO) is a therapeutic space designed to explore a wide variety of concerns alongside other students who may be going through similar experiences. Its focus is on interpersonal processes of relationships and the ways in which one's experience of mental health may impact their connections to oneself and their support system(s). Participants will help each other develop greater self-awareness and increased ability to have satisfying relationships. Relationships, self-confidence, balancing demands, and more—this group will address the issues of greatest concern to its members. 

Group Leaders: Eve Sussman, PhD, LP and Ian Evans, PsyD, LP

To join: Contact 612-624-1444 to schedule a group screening/orientation meeting with group facilitators.

Counseling Groups, Educational Workshops, and Affinity Spaces are not billed to health insurance and students are not charged a fee. 

Therapy Groups are billed to health insurance. Student Service Fees (SSF) help cover the cost of services for students who pay the SSF, have active health insurance, and are not on the Graduate Assistant Health Plan. Students on the Graduate Assistant Health Plan are responsible for a $10 co-pay. 

If you have questions about billing, please contact 612-624-1444. 

Our groups typically meet for 60 minutes once a week. Some groups meet most of the semester, while others are short-term, four to six sessions. Most groups consist of four to ten members. Process groups provide an environment for students to identify and explore emotions, give and receive support, and practice healthy ways of relating to others. Psychoeducational groups focus on developing skills around a particular concern and often involve discussions and experiential activities to apply the skills you are learning.

Students new to Mental Health Counseling should discuss their interest in group counseling during the mental health screening. During the mental health screening, you’ll discuss your needs, and the counselor will recommend resources and a plan for your mental health care and connect you with the next steps.

Group therapy is considered to be one of the most effective forms of treatment for many issues that confront undergraduate and graduate students, such as depression, anxiety, grief/loss, low self-esteem, and troubled relationships. Students who try group therapy find it provides a safe and supportive place to explore their concerns and learn new strategies for overcoming challenges.

No. You can decide how much and when to share your feelings with the group and no one will force you to share more than you feel comfortable with. Most students are apprehensive about attending a group for the first time and wonder what it will be like to share with people they do not know. However, most find they become more comfortable over time and value the support and feedback they get from their peers. All group members are expected to maintain the confidentiality of the group so everyone can feel safe sharing.

Contact us at [email protected] or 612-624-1444.