Groups

Group therapy: Is it for you?

For many of the life concerns that college students often face, group counseling is one of the best treatments available. Groups offer a unique opportunity in a safe and supportive place to receive support and use peer interaction to help individuals work on the challenges that they are facing. Groups can help establish a sense of connection with other students, and provide support and valuable feedback regarding common concerns as students navigate their academic and personal lives at ISU.

Although many students are initially hesitant to join a group, they often find that it is a very beneficial and positive experience.

Groups at the ISU Counseling and Mental Health Center have an average of five to eight students and one to two counselors. They generally meet weekly, for 90 minutes, at a fixed time each semester. While our selection of groups varies throughout the year, the center typically offers general therapy groups for ISU students as well as theme-focused groups and drop-in groups.

Benefits of Groups

• Connect to others facing similar issues
• See how others handle similar problems
• Learn and practice new skills in a safe environment
• Get multiple perspectives
• Share your unique perspective
• Improve self-awareness
• Improve social skills
• Enhance acceptance of yourself and others
• Improve self-esteem

Research supports the effectiveness of group treatment, and the ISU Counseling and Mental Health Center offers a variety of weekly groups in order to meet the various needs of the diverse students we serve. Groups are a powerful way to bring about meaningful change for the interpersonal, emotional, or personal challenges students face. For many concerns such as communication and social skills, responding to anxiety, learning about interpersonal communication, getting social support, and learning life skills to improve personal well-being, groups are the recommended treatment that can help students overcome difficulties and benefit their lives. Please contact the Counseling and Mental Health Center at (208) 282-2130 to schedule an appointment with one of our counselors to discuss joining a group.

Groups Offered at CMHC

Building Connections

The Building Connections groups are effective ways to gain connections and support from other ISU students in a safe, confidential environment. Individuals participating in the group are all dealing with various personal and emotional concerns. It is an opportunity to practice connecting with peers and discussing personal experiences while receiving support and feedback from others and being able to offer that feedback and support to others. Group leaders help facilitate conversations that allow everyone to grow and learn from each other. This group will give opportunities to explore personal relationships and identities while increasing the skills and experience to create and maintain healthy relationships with others and with yourself in a safe, confidential environment.

ACTive Coping 

The ACTive Coping Group is focused on helping students gain practical skills in understanding and managing emotional struggles, such as depression and anxiety, to increase their well-being and life satisfaction. This group is a structured group that utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which teaches individuals to see their personal experiences and relationships from different perspectives, and to act in valued ways that allow them to develop healthy habits and relate differently to anxious feelings, depressed moods, and distressing thoughts. Group members will be encouraged to practice exercises and skills outside of the group sessions to develop healthy coping that will extend beyond the current semester.

Mindful Self-Compassion 

This 6-week, skills-based group uses practices and exercises from the evidence-based Mindful Self-Compassion program. This group focuses on building resources to be more compassionate with yourself through life’s struggles, difficulties, and challenges. Mindfulness and self-compassion skills can be utilized to reduce the impact of harsh criticism and negative judgment and help you learn simple ways and techniques for supporting yourself during challenging moments. 

Thrive EMDR 

Group EMDR adapts the standard EMDR protocol to a small group setting, offering trauma processing with a contained, supportive peer environment. The group is led by a certified EMDR therapist and participants will be using tools like bilateral stimulation (such as tapping or eye movements), mindfulness and guided reflection. Students appropriate for this group would include; those already receiving EMDR therapy or students with a history of trauma, anxiety or distressing life events that have basic coping skills. This is an open group and students can be added after the start date.

Nature Group

A growing body of evidence clearly indicates a deep connection between our mental health and our relationship with the natural world around us. Whether it’s a walk in the forest, sitting by a stream, or cuddling with our favorite furry friend, a relationship with nature can benefit our physical and emotional health. This group will be an open format where participants will co-create experiences of engagement with and care for the world around us. While some group meetings will be indoors, most will involve exploring the ISU campus and immediately surrounding areas.

Spring 2025 Group Schedule

Check back soon for any changes to our group schedule!