Group Counseling
Group counseling is a powerful and supportive form of therapy where a small group of students (usually 5 to 8) meet weekly with a trained counselor for 1–2 hours. Group members work together to share experiences, offer support, and learn from one another in a safe and respectful environment.
Groups vary in structure and purpose. Some are short-term and skill-focused, while others are ongoing and centered on open discussions and peer support.
Participating in a group can help you:
- Feel less lonely in your struggles
- Build meaningful connections
- Gain new perspectives
- Practice communication and coping skills in real time
If you aren’t sure whether a group is right for you, please call us at 631-632-6720 and ask to speak with the counselor who heads the group.
Current Support Groups
A group of people with common experiences or concerns who provide each other with encouragement or support. Can include set members or open enrollment.
**Some support groups may also have room to process thoughts, feelings, experiences, and get feedback from other members.**
Looking to connect with others to explore gender, sexuality, and identity? This weekly support group offers a safe, affirming space for students of any gender identity or sexual orientation.
Together, we’ll process life on campus, navigate personal experiences, and build community through open, respectful conversation. Whether you’re seeking support, connection, or space for self-discovery, you’re welcome here.
Leader: Kaitlynn McDonald
Days/Times: Wednesdays at 4:00 PM
Do you wish your interactions with other people were more rewarding? Your relationships (of all kinds) better? By engaging in and reflecting on in-the-moment discussion, this group will help members connect and grow. Open to all who identify as men.
Date/Time: Dependent on participants’ availability
Leader: Joanna Durso
Days/Times: Dependent on participants' availability
A holistic, trauma-informed space to support mental health while managing the rigors of college life. This is done by integrating somatic practices in a group format. Students will gain tools for managing stress and overwhelm, ultimately contributing to their academic success and personal well-being.
Leader: Cheryl Donnelly
Days/Times: Wednesday at 4:00 PM
Dates: 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11
A holistic, trauma-informed space to support mental health while managing the rigors of Medical School. This is done by integrating somatic practices in a group format. Students will gain tools for managing stress and overwhelm, ultimately contributing to their academic success and personal well-being.
Leader: Cheryl Donnelly and Victoria Valentin
Days/Times: Tuesday at 3:30 PM
Dates: 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10
A space where students explore new ways of responding to difficult moments, especially those connected to chronic health conditions. This group will intentionally blend reflection, experiential exercises, and practical skills.
Leaders: Candice Clifford
Days/Times: Thursdays at 2:00 PM (Starting Week of October 26)
The holiday season can be especially challenging when you’re coping with the loss of a loved one. Our support group provides a safe, confidential space for students to share their experiences, connect with peers who understand, and gather coping strategies and tools for managing grief during the holidays. Together, we’ll explore ways to honor loved ones, care for ourselves, and find support through community.
Leaders: Noelle Cavalcante
Days/Times: Thursdays at 4:00 PM (Starting Week of October 29)
Skill-Based Groups and Workshops
Grounded in the brief therapy model and informed by principles of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), this 4-week skills group assists students in learning skills related to Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness.
Leaders: Candice Clifford and Stavroula Sassos
Days/Times:
Tuesdays: 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7
Wednesdays: 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8
Thursdays: 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17
Group Programming Outside of CAPS
Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) Skills group Stress Resilience Workshop
LGBTQ* and Allies Bereavement Group
