Workshops & Support Groups

Drop-in workshops

These aren’t group counseling sessions—they’re more like a class led by CAPS counselors. 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.

All of our workshops are now online! See the individual listings below for links to join.

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 3 at CAPS (Student Health Center, 4th floor, Room #409B, 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.

Click here to join the Zoom meeting

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

Watch recorded workshops

CAPS free workshop schedule

Explore more CAPS workshops

Free support groups

Students need to already be a client of CAPS or have completed the CAPS Now appointment before starting group. Students interested in Self-Care and Support for Survivors need to call to schedule time with group leader before starting group.

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

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.

This is an in-person, drop-in group to help people work on making big changes in their lives. A primary focus is on changes with alcohol and drugs but it can also involve issues with gambling, pornography, and other compulsive behaviors. This is a place to talk about what is going on and for group members to encourage one another in starting and maintaining change.

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.

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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