WHY SHOULD I JOIN A GROUP?
Groups provide a place for members to learn advanced life skills and to learn methods of relating to others more effectively. Small groups of students meet on a regular basis to support and help each other. There are three kinds of groups: therapy, support, and wellness skills groups.
WHAT ARE THERAPY GROUPS?
Students explore personal problems with peers who can offer fresh perspectives and objective opinions. Members support and encourage each other in the personal growth process. Therapy groups provide a safe place for students to practice new ways of relating to others. Some groups focus on specific types of problems (e.g. eating disorders, shyness); other groups accept students with varied concerns.
WHAT ARE SUPPORT GROUPS?
Support groups allow students who share a specific problem or characteristic (e.g. adult children of alcoholics, gay men) to discuss concerns frequently encountered by others in their situation. Members offer the sort of support, empathy, and encouragement that can best be provided by those who have an insider's understanding.
WHAT ARE WELLNESS SKILLS GROUPS?
Wellness skills groups are focused on specific topics and have clearly defined goals and formats. These groups provide a safe and supportive environment where students can help each other develop effective coping strategies and gain greater insight into their problems. A variety of methods for managing stress related to academic performance, public speaking and other stressful situations are covered. Wellness skills groups are interactive and meet for a set number of sessions.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF MEMBERS?
- Regular attendance
- Commitment to work on problems
- Willingness to consider feedback from others
- Willingness to provide feedback to others
- Willingness to give support to others
WHO LEADS SPS GROUPS?
Groups are led by SPS psychologists and social workers. The professional staff is diverse in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, and sexual/affectional orientation.
ARE GROUPS CONFIDENTIAL?
Members are asked to respect the personal and private nature of information revealed by others; members should NOT discuss this information outside of group sessions.
HOW LARGE ARE GROUPS?
Counseling groups are usually small (five to eight members); this encourages comfort and intimacy. Also, the small size ensures that each member will have an opportunity to discuss her or his problems.
HOW OFTEN DO GROUPS MEET?
Groups usually meet once a week for sixty or ninety minutes.
HOW MANY TIMES DO GROUPS MEET?
Wellness groups meet for a short number of sessions (usually from three to eight sessions). Support and therapy groups ordinarily last for at least a quarter.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO JOIN GROUPS?
Students currently registered in a regular session at UCLA.
HOW DO I JOIN A GROUP?
Most groups require a pre-group meeting with the leader to determine if group treatment is the best way to work on your concerns. The front desk will assist you in scheduling this meeting.
