Psychotherapy & Support Groups

Building Social Confidence Group Tiffany O'Meara, PhD / 858-534-1579 Would you like to improve the quality of social interactions and the availability of social support? This group focuses on identifying fears related to social situations, reducing self-defeating coping patterns and strengthening effective social skills. It combines an educational and support approach. Topics covered are tailored for each group, and have included building conversation skills (how to start, sustain, and end conversations), assertiveness training, how to speak up in class, and how to reduce anxiety in social situations such as dating, parties, or professional meetings.
• Building Social Confidence Group - Advanced Tiffany O'Meara, PhD / 858-534-1579 This is a group for students who have completed one quarter of the Building Social Confidence group and would like to continue to work on reducing anxiety in social situations and increasing their self-confidence. Students get more individualized attention in this group, and topics are dictated by the group members. Come share your own experiences and challenges, and get feedback and support from a caring group of students who share similar experiences. Once you've completed one BSC group, you may join the Advanced group at any time while you are here at UCSD!
• Coming Out Group Cathy Thompson, PhD / 858-534-3987 The Coming Out group is a place to meet and gain support while discussing your sexual and/or gender identities in a confidential setting. This group is for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, straight, or questioning folks who are coming out, considering coming out or may already be out. Topics are determined by group participants and can include stress, fear, anxiety, loneliness, excitement and celebration with regard to coming out.
• Interpersonal Process Group Dianna Quach, PsyD / 858-534-3755 This group will provide an opportunity to relate to others, gain social skills, and learn more about yourself in the process.
• Mindfulness for Depression Group Elise Curry, PsyD / 858-534-2312 Mindfulness based cognitive therapy group (Relapse prevention for Depression): This is an 8 week therapy group designed to help students who have had depressive episodes in the past. This group was designed by Zindel Segal and John Teasdale who studied under Jon Kabot-Zinn. There are several randomized controlled trials indicating a large treatment effect for this approach in preventing relapse from depression. You will learn meditation techniques and cognitive strategies to live a happier more productive life.

Psychoeducational Workshops

• ADVANCE Peak Performance Workshop Erin Bartelma / 858-534-3755 Formerly "Goals in Action," this new workshop series has been restructured to have you meet your full potential and find your balance. ADVANCE is an interactive workshop series based on Peak Performance Psychology techniques to help you flourish in the classroom and in life. This structured 3-meeting workshop provides guidance and support for your academic success. Strategies discussed are talking with faculty, time management, and accessing campus academic support resources. You can sign up online on our Signup page.
• Anxiety Reduction Workshops TBD / 858-534-3755 This popular workshop provides structured strategies to identify, reduce, and manage stress. Students are build cognitive skills to identify stress, relaxation training, and preventative strategies..
• Leadership Training for Student Athletes Rhonda Hackshaw, PhD / 858-534-5981 The goal of the Leadership Training Workshop is to facilitate the development of our student-athletes’ leadership skills, in hopes to promote strong, effective leaders and success for each UC San Diego Intercollegiate Athletics Team. Following the general outline of Jeff Janssen’s The Team Captain’s Leadership Manual, the workshop highlights peak performance and mental training techniques, learning and use of effective and healthy communication, strategies to increase team cohesion and connection, and minimization/management of conflict.
• Love Lessons: Couples Workshop Greg Koch, PsyD / 858-534-3585 Are you beginning a relationship you want to keep? Do you want to enrich and deepen an already good relationship? Are you having difficulties in your relationship and want to resolve long-standing conflicts? Do you want to learn how to successfully repair trust in your relationship? Are you undecided about continuing your relationship? If you said “Yes” to any of these questions, then this workshop is for YOU! Love Lessons is a workshop specifically designed to help couples truly discover the joy of being together. Goals for the workshop are to: Successfully express your own desires; Get to the root of your problems and dissolve them; Create romance, fun and intimacy.
• Questioning Career Transitions for PhD Students Christina Lambert, PhD 858-534-3035 / Joe Cribari, Career Services Center 858-534-3750 A five-session series, aims to help Ph.D. students work through questions about continuing an academic career track, discern types of work and environment that match individual skills and personality, identify transferable skills developed as a Ph.D. student, and examine values, priorities, alternatives, and goals for career next steps. Leader: Christina Lambert, Ph.D. and Joe Cribari (Career Services). Please call Career Services to sign up (858-534-3750).
• Peak Performance and Self-Hypnosis Rhonda Hackshaw, PhD / 858-534-5981 Interested in enhancing your health, excelling athletically, reducing your stress, or boosting your self confidence? Self-hypnosis exercises can assist you in accomplishing your goals. This 6-week experience will be tailored to participants with a view towards healthful living.
• Stress Mgt through Relaxation Training & Biofeedback Patrick Savaiano, PhD / 858-534-3755 A basic introduction to relaxation training is offered through this group. Participants learn ways to remain calm during stressful situations. A variety of methods, including biofeedback, muscle relaxation and positive self-talk will be introduced. Co-facilitated by a Wellness Peer Educator!

Drop-In Forums

• Graduate Students of Color Forum Dr. Niyatee Sukumaran / 858-534-9057 Join us to connect and discuss about various topics from a multicultural lens, which includes managing stress and improving well-being, communication with your advisor(s), dealing with imposter syndrome, family responsibilities, relationships (romantic or social), current sociopolitical climate, experiences of discrimination, etc. CLICK FOR FLYER.
• South Asian & Desi Forum Dr. Niyatee Sukumaran / 858-534-9057 Join us each week for conversations about Culture, Gender & Patriarchy, Dating, Love & Relationships, Gender, Gender Roles & Heteronormity in South Asian culture, Self-care & Compassion: Improve your Well-being (for May As Mental Health Month), "Unfair & Not Lovely": Colorism in South Asia, Coping with setbacks: Redefine Failures into Success, Life post-college (e.g., graduate school, jobs, OPT) and Being South Asian in Today's USA. CLICK FOR FLYER.
• Stress Management for Graduate Student & Professional School Students - Drop-In Workshop! Dr. Niyatee Sukumaran / 858-534-9057 Free drop-in workshop! Gain strategies for stress management. Engage in relaxation & mindfulness. Discover the power of self-compassion. CLICK FOR FLYER.
• Biofeedback for Graduate Student & Professional School Students - Drop-In Workshop! Dr. Niyatee Sukumaran / 858-534-9057 Free drop-in workshop! De-Stress with Biofeedback! Learn to manage your stress by using relaxation techniques while your physiological markers are monitored. CLICK FOR FLYER.
• RESILIENCE: Graduate Student & Professional School Student Forum Dr. Christina Lambert / 858-534-3035 A supportive drop-in space for graduate and professional school students seeking strategies for resilience, perseverance, and flourishing. Common themes include: stress management, recovering from set-backs, work/life balance, and navigating interpersonal challenges. CLICK FOR FLYER.
• ON TRACK: Graduate Student & Professional School Student Forum Dr. Christina Lambert / 858-534-3035 A supportive drop-in space for graduate and professional school students seeking strategies for resilience, perseverance, and flourishing. Common themes include: stress management, recovering from set-backs, work/life balance, and navigating interpersonal challenges. CLICK FOR FLYER.
• Gay Men's Relationship Forum Greg Koch, PsyD / 858-534-3585 Join us for conversations about our experiences as gay men, and connect with other gay men on campus. The purpose of this forum is to empower gay men and provide a sense of community and support in their pursuit of establishing and maintaining long-term, stable gay relationships, especially in a heterosexist society that still largely frowns upon male/male partnerships and intimacy. This forum addresses relationships, sexual health, community building and more. We meet during Weeks 2-10 in the Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters on Mondays, 2:30-4:00pm, in the Women’s Center Small Group Room. Come join us!.
• Asian American Community Forum Leah Tappero, PhD / 858-534-3755 This informal drop-in group is designed to address the concerns of Asian/Pacific Islander American students at UCSD in a supportive and problem-solving atmosphere. Issues such as career and academic success, family pressures, cultural identity, and relationships are common topics.
• Black Women's Collective Doriane Besson, PhD / 858-534-0252 Join us for an informal conversation about our experiences as Black women and connect with other Black women on campus. Meets at the Women's Center.
• Campus Black Forum Doriane Besson, PhD / 858-534-0252 Campus Black Forum was originally initiated at UCSD in the late 1970s, and facilitated by Psychologist Phil Rafeal, to enhance the socio-cultural experience of students of African descent and to build a sense of community among these students. Campus Black Forum provides a venue for students, staff and faculty to come together to discuss pertinent issues and concerns relevant to the Black community, and to receive important information that they can use in developing skills to enhance their experiences at UCSD and beyond. Participants will come together for one hour monthly meetings to be held at the UCSD’s Cross-Cultural Center, located in Price Center East.
• Graduate Women in Engineering & Science (WISE) Forum Judy Goodman Fermin, PhD / 858-534-3755 A support group for women in the science fields where women are underrepresented. Discussion topics are selected by group members. This group will facilitate the development of: 1) a sense of community where each person enjoys a feeling of belonging, 2) support toward the attainment of goals, 3) self-empowerment in creating and maintaining visions for one’s personal and professional life.
• Outside the Box Forum Cathy Thompson, PhD / 858-534-3755 This informal group is a safe space for students, faculty, and staff of mixed/multiracial/multiethnic and other non-dominant identities to share their experiences and discuss issues in an open and supportive, community atmosphere. Leader: Cat Thompson, Ph.D., 858-534-3987. Meets on Thursdays, 3:00 - 4:30pm, at the Cross-Cultural Center Tranquility Rm., Price Center East, 2nd Floor. This group is co-sponsored by the Cross Cultural Center.

Group Schedule

Group Flyers

CAPS updates group and workshop flyers regularly throughout the quarter.

• Go to our Download Center > Flyers Tab to download flyers for our current groups and workshops!

Sign Up for a Group or Workshop!

Interested in signing-up or expressing interest for a group? Some of our groups offer online signup/interest!

• Go to our Online Signup Page to get connected to one of our groups or workshops!