Group Counseling:  Fall 2011

The Thomas E. Cook Counseling Center (CCC) offers a variety of free counseling groups and workshops for Virginia Tech students.  Often the number of participants per group is limited.  Therapy groups are often viewed as equally or more helpful than individual counseling because of its interactive and community emphasis.  Interested students are encouraged to contact the CCC and sign-up as soon as possible.  For more information about groups please see our Group Brochure or contact the Thomas E. Cook Counseling Center at 540-231-6557.

Understanding Self and Others
General Process Groups

For students who wish to increase self-understanding, self-esteem, and intimacy in relationships, as well as address their interpersonal style and relationship-building skills.

Day and Times:

Undergraduate USO Groups: Tuesday 3:15-4:30, Thursday 10:30-noon, Thursday 2:30-4:00 (Mixed Undergrad & Grad)

Graduate USO Groups: Wednesday 1:00-2:30, Friday 1:15 - 2:30, Friday 3:00-4:30

USO & Community Building Group: Tuesday 1:30 - 3:00

Community building is an experiential process where students with differing backgrounds and perspectives come together to build close, intimate relationships as they welcome and transcend differences.  Readings, silences, and an attention to the inner voice are each used to facilitate self awareness in a safe, nondirective, and affirming environment.

Where:
Thomas E. Cook Counseling Center
240 McComas Hall, Room 258 or East Eggleston

To join a group contact the Cook Counseling Center

Questions? Contact Dr. DaHyun Chun at 231-7809

 Healthy Bodies Group

 This group is designed for people who are actively dealing with an eating disorder.  Participants will learn to live each day with  intention, without being a hostage to thoughts and feelings about bodies and eating.  Participants will learn ways to reduce distress and improve the ability to cope with the present.

Call 231-7809 for a screening appointment
with Dahyun Chun or 231-6557 Zetta Nicely

Substance Abuse Group

Open to students who are actively seeking to address substance use issues

Call 231-6557 and ask to speak with Trent Davis

Time: Tuesdays 3:30-4:45
Location: Cook Counseling Center at McComas Hall

Title:   Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Series
When:  Mondays from 1:15-2:45 pm
Where:   Cook Counseling Center, Rm. 258 McComas Hall
What:   Mindfulness is a way of re-teaching your mind to focus on the present moment.  Mindfulness techniques offer relaxation and stress reduction by increasing awareness of the self, body, and mind.
Who:   Please contact Charity Rolfes, Ph.D. at Cook Counseling Center for more information. (231-6557)

MBSR is: "Mindfulness is about being fully awake in our lives.  It is about perceiving the exquisite vividness of each moment.  We feel more alive. We also gain immediate access to our own powerful inner resources for insight, transformation, and healing." --Jon Kabat-Zinn

Benefits include:

• An increased sense of well-being
• Greater energy and enthusiasm
• A renewed focus on what is important

MBSR programs can be helpful for people that are looking for assistance with: relaxation, anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, and daily hassles.  Each 1 hour 15 minute meeting will outline the theory and background behind this effective skill with some time allowed for practicing mindfulness techniques in a comfortable environment.

Thrive or Survive Graduate Student Support Group

Time: Thursday 4:00-5:00
Graduate Life Center

This support group provides graduate students with a place to talk with other graduate students across campus about various challenges.

Come, let's talk about:

• The stress of balancing academic and personal life

• Dealing with Committees

• Problem professors or other students

• Thesis and Dissertation Completion

• Problems transitioning from academic life into professional life and vice versa

If you are interested in joining this group or would like more information please contact Manbeena Sekhon or Trent Davis at Cook Counseling Center (231-6557).