Workshops & Support Groups

Drop-in workshops

These aren’t group counseling sessions—they’re more like a class led by CAPS counselors and wellness professionals. You’ll learn strategies you can use immediately to improve symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety, and to better manage problems that affect your academic success. These workshops can help you make changes faster and, if you’re a CAPS client, use your individual counseling sessions more fully.

Workshop descriptions

Note: This is an online session. The beginning mindfulness workshop is meant to be interactive, so please plan to have your camera on for the Zoom meeting (initially, at least). Also, if possible, please try to log-in a little before the scheduled start time.

These workshops are designed to be helpful for long-time meditators and for those who have never practiced mindfulness prior to attending.

Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally bringing attention to the present moment with acceptance. The use of mindfulness-based techniques is linked to reductions in anxiety, physical symptoms of pain, and depression. It has also been shown to enhance relationships and to reduce distress.

These workshops offer various ways of practicing mindfulness with optional opportunities to discuss the practices offered, the process and benefits of developing a consistent mindfulness practice, and other ways to bring mindfulness into daily life.

Participation is free and we encourage you to attend as many as you wish.

Click here to join the Monday Zoom meeting

Note: These groups meet in Group Room 1 at CAPS (Student Health Center, 4th floor, Room #405, 600 N Eagleson)

These workshops are designed to be helpful for long-time meditators and for those who have never practiced mindfulness prior to attending.

Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally bringing attention to the present moment with acceptance. The use of mindfulness-based techniques is linked to reductions in anxiety, physical symptoms of pain, and depression. It has also been shown to enhance relationships and to reduce distress.

These workshops offer various ways of practicing mindfulness with optional opportunities to discuss the practices offered, the process and benefits of developing a consistent mindfulness practice, and other ways to bring mindfulness into daily life.

Participation is free and we encourage you to attend as many as you wish.

Note: These groups meet in Group Room 1 at CAPS (Student Health Center, 4th floor, Room #405, 600 N Eagleson)

If you’re already familiar with mindfulness and would like to engage in regular practice, this workshop is for you.

The advanced mindfulness/meditation workshop provides an opportunity for people to practice meditating together and to discuss their experiences of independent meditation practice with each other. This can be very helpful when we are trying to maximize the benefits of meditation by developing it into a regular habit.

Typically, we will begin with a warm-up exercise, then open some time for people to share their questions, concerns, and/or insights related to practice. Finally, we conclude with a sitting meditation that typically lasts about 20 minutes. While the advanced mindfulness workshop has been primarily aimed at supporting practice for people who have already had some experience with meditation, beginners are also welcome to join.

Join the Student Wellness team for a mini-workshop series focused on improving your overall well-being. 

These in-person workshops are held in the Wells Library, Room E-174 (classroom is located at the South Entrance in the Vestibule).

When: 4-5 p.m.

Topics for the Fall semester include:

  • Oct 9:  Procrastin-Not
    Procrastination is a common concern with college students. This workshop helps students identify the reasons they procrastinate and learn skills to help break the cycle. 
  • Oct 23: Setting SMART Goals – Are you SMARTer than a College Student?
    Setting goals sounds easy, but setting achievable, motivating goals can be tough. The SMART goal format provides a means for creating actionable, meaningful steps towards a desired outcome. Students will identify their personal long-term vision, and the short-term goals that will bring that vision to life.
  • Nov 13:  Procrastin-NOT
    Procrastination is a common concern with college students. This workshop helps students identify the reasons they procrastinate and learn skills to help break the cycle. 
  • Nov 27: Stress Survival Guide
    For many of us, stress is a part of our daily experience. Fewer truly understand what stress is and how it affects us. This session provides a general overview of stress, including identifying stress symptoms, understanding the balance between good stress and bad stress, and identifying the tools needed to move forward on the stress management journey.

Several popular Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) workshops have been recorded and are now available to watch on demand.

Watch recorded workshops

Support groups

Students need to already be a client of CAPS or have completed the CAPS Now appointment before starting group. 

A confidential, all-gender support group for individuals who are questioning the health of their relationships and/or recognizing patterns of power and control within their relationship.

Chronic illness can be stressful, but you don’t have to experience it alone. In this support group, we provide a confidential space to process and share your story, connect with others, and develop tools to manage your illness. Topics include adjusting to your new life, how to share your illness with others, advocacy, navigating health care, and self-care.

Gender Expressions offers a safe and supportive environment for gender diverse students to explore issues related to their gender identities including but not limited to: interpersonal relationships, mental health, systemic oppression, micro-aggressions, and transitioning.  In addition to offering one another a space for exploration and social support, group members will discuss potential ways of navigating stress and distress from social, cultural, and political sources. 

This group focuses on peer and emotional support, goal setting, and anxiety/stress management related to doctoral dissertations.

I was able to share things with my group that I was too scared to share with other people. Once I learned to do this, I started feeling better about myself.

CAPS support group participant

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