Group Counseling
- Connect with others facing similar issues
- Learn and practice new skills in a safe space
- Share experiences and gain perspective from talking with others
- Improve self-awareness, self-confidence and social skills
- Enhance acceptance of self and others
Counseling Services at Sindecuse Health Center offers several groups open to current Western Michigan University students. Most groups meet weekly and are open to new participants. Please call Counseling Services at (269) 387-1850 or register with the button below if you are interested in participating. Prior to engaging in group therapy, all participants will be asked to complete a pre-screening with a counselor.
Groups offered Fall 2024
Please call (269) 387-1850 to see if a group is active. If participation is low, a group may not continue to the end of the semester. Groups meet weekly for the duration of the session.
Drawn Together
Starts Sept. 26, Thursdays 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Hands-on creative art approaches for improving mental health through expression, insight, and sharing. No artistic experience required.
Facilitators: Susanne Stefanski, LPC and Ellie DeLeon, LLP.
Emotional Survival Skills
Starts Sept. 27, Fridays 10–11:30 a.m.
Emotional skills crash course. Learn emotional regulation, stress management, and interpersonal relationship skills in a supportive environment.
Facilitators: Patrick Hanlin, LPC and Ellie DeLeon, LLP.
Finding Connection, Thriving in Relationships- Interpersonal Process Group
Starts Sept. 26, Thursdays 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Friendship,romantic partnership, associations, acquaintances, family, professional relationships. Participants will explore connection within various kinds of relationships; how connection is formed, and what makes connection and relationships meaningful. Ways to establish, maintain and navigate relationships as they evolve will be explored. This group is open to all enrolled students interested in exploring ways to thrive within relationships.
Facilitators: Ariane Stein, LPC and Dr. Dani Standish, Licensed Psychologist.
Know Thyself! This is Me
Session 1 starts Sept. 25, Wednesdays 2–3:30 p.m. (5 sessions)
Session 2 starts Nov. 16, Wednesdays 2–3:30 p.m. (5 sessions)
Self-discovery group for all individuals who want to know more about themselves. Explore your personality, values, & interpersonal styles.
Facilitator: Dr. Dani Standish, Licensed Psychologist and Dom Giroux.
Level Up
Starts Sept. 27, Fridays 12–1:30 p.m.
Therapeutic Dungeons and Dragons Group: Get creative. Build skills. Explore new worlds as well as yourself. Train your dragon.
Facilitators: Carmen Ortega, LLMSW and Susanne Stefanski, LPC.
Mindful Meditation
Starts Sept. 27, Fridays 10–11:30 a.m. (Drop-in)
Treat yourself to a one-hour blissful guided meditation experience.
Facilitators: Grace Orlando, LMSW and Kim Berning, LMSW.
Mixed~ish
Starts Oct. 9, Wednesdays, 10–11:30 a.m.
Less than 5% of Western students identify as a mixed person. Being on such a large it can be hard to find people who understand what it's like to be you, think like you and look like you (well sort of). Mixed-ish is the place where people who have always been pulled, pushed, twisted or bent their multiple identities or cultures can come together to connect and share their experiences
Facilitators: Mya White, LLMSW, and Dom Giroux.
Project Calm: Practical Coping Strategies for All the Things
Starts Sept. 24, Tuesdays 10:30–11:30 a.m. (Drop-in)
Learn and practice practical and evidence-based techniques useful for coping with anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic attacks, sleep disturbances, and test anxiety and more.
Facilitator: Kim Berning, LMSW.
When Families Have Problems
Starts Sept. 24, Tuesdays 10–11:30 a.m.
For students struggling with mentally ill and/or addicted parents or family members.
Facilitators: Grace Orlando, LMSW and Patrick Hanlin, LPC.