Mental Health Group Services

Mondays, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm | September 28 - November 9, 2026

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, and nurturing (or ending) relationships. Topics include relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and romantic/sexual partners, with discussions on communication styles, personal and relationship needs, love languages, conflict management, red flags, and boundaries.

Group facilitator: Vaughn Paradise, LPCC

Wednesdays, 10:00 am - 11:00 am | September 30 - November 4, 2026

Ready to talk about the things standard sex ed skipped and the internet over-explained? Beyond the Talk is a high-honesty, zero-judgment space where we'll dive into topics like sexual communication, queer relationships, intimacy, boundaries, kink, and shame. Whether or not you're sexually active, this group is designed for education and processing how to protect your own and others' mental health while building the sexual and emotional relationships you actually want.

Group facilitator: Vaughn Paradise, LPCC

Wednesdays, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm | October 21 - December 9, 2026

This support group provides a welcoming space for immigrant and first-generation students to explore challenges related to family expectations around academic achievement, cultural and generational differences, mental health stigma, and identity development. Through discussion, reflection, and peer support, participants will build coping skills, strengthen communication, and connect with others who share similar experiences.

Group facilitator: Chia-Chen Tu, LP

Mondays, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm | September 28 - November 9, 2026

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 while building the skills to change them. Blending cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), and narrative therapy modalities, participants will learn to identify triggers, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and build practical tools through discussion, activities, and real-life practice.

Group facilitator: Vaughn Paradise, LPCC

Fridays, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm | October 2 - December 18, 2026

Balance & Beyond is a supportive and nonjudgmental therapy group designed for college students looking to explore and improve their relationship with substance use. Whether participants are re-evaluating their habits, seeking healthier coping strategies, or simply curious about making a change, this group offers a space for open discussion, self-reflection, and peer support. Through guided conversations, mindfulness practices, and harm reduction strategies, participants will build insight, set personal goals, and develop a more balanced and intentional approach to substance use.

Group facilitator: Nikki Malecek, LPCC LADC

Section 1: Fridays, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm | September 18 – December 18, 2026

Graduate group: Wednesdays, 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm | September 30 – December 9, 2026

Do you want to develop better relationship skills? The Understanding Self & Others (USO) group provides students an opportunity to learn from each other while giving and receiving support around the personal issues they face. 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 facilitators: Ian Evans, LP and Eve Sussman, LP

Note: The Understanding Self and Others (USO) group is currently not billed to health insurance and students are not charged a fee. Starting spring semester 2027, the USO group will be billed to 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.

Section 1: Wednesdays, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Section 2: Mondays, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm

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

Group facilitators: Sarra Beckham-Chasnoff, LP, LMFT and Eve Sussman, LP 

Thursdays, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | September 17 – December 3, 2026

Transitioning, exploring your gender identity, or looking for support as you navigate life and mental health as a trans, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming student? This weekly group is an opportunity to give and receive support; learn skills for 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, and is open to all students currently enrolled at UMN Twin Cities, regardless of identity. Meetings will include space for discussion of topics including coming out, relationships, safety and accessing healthcare. 

Group facilitator: Imogen Page, LGSW

Mondays, 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm | September 24 – December 10, 2026

An opportunity for students who have lost a parent or sibling to share their stories, while giving and receiving support around the many issues faced during the grieving process. Participants can discuss their loss in a safe, supportive setting alongside peers who understand. Grief Support group is inclusive of your family's definition of "parent" and "sibling." It can include the loss of any primary caregiver or a peer-aged relative in the same household.

Group facilitator: Siming Xie, LP

Mondays, 9:30 am – 11:00 am | October 19 – November 9, 2026

The Body Project is a 4-week, evidence-based group designed to increase body acceptance and decrease body dissatisfaction. With the support of a counselor, participants complete a series of verbal, behavioral, and written activities that collectively explore the negative effects of pursuing unrealistic appearance ideals.

Group facilitator: Kaelyn White, LICSW

Wednesdays, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm | October 14 – December 9, 2026

This recovery-focused support group provides students with a supportive and intentional space to reflect on their healing journey and navigate common challenges alongside peers with similar experiences. Designed for students who have previously received eating disorder treatment and are currently in recovery, the group fosters connection, encouragement, and ongoing support while helping participants strengthen recovery skills and maintain progress in a safe, nonjudgmental environment.

Group facilitator: Kaelyn White, LICSW

Fridays, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm | September 25 – October 30, 2026

A workshop opportunity for students to learn how to implement positive emotions, character strengths, and a sense of meaning into their academic and personal life. Students will explore the mental and physical health benefits of positive psychology while promoting well-being and addressing life's challenges. This workshop includes six weekly meetings.

Group facilitator: Jake Loeffler, LP

Therapy Groups

• Billed to health insurance. Student Services Fees subsidize the cost of services for students who are not on the Graduate Assistant Health Plan. Students on the Graduate Assistant Health Plan are responsible for a $10 co-pay
• Focus on interpersonal learning, emotional insight, relational dynamics, and self-awareness that emerge through real-time interaction among group members
• Focus on teaching mental health concepts, coping strategies, and practical skills to support emotional wellness and functioning

Support Groups

• Not billed to insurance, and students are not charged a fee
• Provide connection, validation, encouragement, and peer support around shared experiences or challenges
• Focus on community, shared understanding, emotional support, and reducing isolation

Educational Workshops

• Not billed to insurance, and students are not charged a fee
• Brief, focused educational offerings designed to introduce a topic, coping strategy, or practical skill in a highly accessible format

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.