Join CAPS for a FREE virtual “drop-in” workshops to help you cope with the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic presents. Learn specific strategies that may help reduce some of the stress associated with the current situation. A CAPS staff member can also answer any questions you may have as you navigate the challenges of this semester. These workshops are offered:

Wednesday, February 24: Coping with COVID - Staying Connected

• 10:30-11:30 a.m. (Counselor Fama Zaidi) - Click here to join the Zoom meeting.
  Password: 590168

Tuesday, March 2: Coping with COVID - Isolation

• 2-3 p.m. (Counselor Maggie Brennan) - Click here to join the Zoom meeting.

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.

These workshops are designed to be helpful for long-time meditators and for those who have never practiced mindfulness prior to attending. Participation is free and we encourage you to attend as many as you wish.

Tuesday 

Wednesday

Mindfulness means paying attention to the present moment with a sense of acceptance. Research has shown it to be helpful for a broad array of common challenges including anxiety, chronic physical pain, depression,​ coping with stressful life experiences, attention regulation difficulties, and relationship issues. This series of one-hour workshops will include:

1. Brief explanation of what mindfulness is and how it's practiced including a short basic practice 
2. Presentation of information on mindfulness as it relates to that day's topic;
3. 10-20 minute mindfulness meditation chosen to complement the day's theme;
4. Time for Q/A and/or discussion about applying the ideas and practices from the workshop to everyday life.

Topics for the Spring semester include:

• 2/25:  Lifting mood and finding joy (with mindfulness!)
• 3/4:  Coping with isolation (with mindfulness!)
• 3/11:  Coping with chronic pain (with mindfulness!)
• 3/25:  Becoming more self-aware (with mindfulness!)
• 4/1:  Improving relationships (with mindfulness!)
• 4/15:  Managing stress & anxiety - Part 1 (with mindfulness!)
• 4/8:  Falling (and Staying) Asleep (with mindfulness!)
• 4/22:  Managing stress and anxiety - Part 2 (with mindfulness!)
• 5/6:  Being compassionate with ourselves (with mindfulness!)

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. 

Password: 920875

Do you have concerns about your alcohol or marijuana use? Are you ready to make a change in a nonjudgmental, supportive environment? Come practice meditation and mindfulness, research-proven interventions that can help.

Password: C1yv67

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. We offer separate groups for grads and undergrads at the same time, but that meet every other week.

For undergraduate students: Tuesdays, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
For graduate students: Wednesdays, 6–7 p.m.

This is a support group for students of color using a multicultural approach. Topics covered in the group may include:

• Navigating spaces as students of color
• Negotiating privilege(s)
• Addressing responses and emotional reactions triggered by experiences of discrimination and micro/macroaggressions

We will be able to address interpersonal difficulties, academic stress, and other topics that will help you and the other group participants increase your sense of empowerment.

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
• 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.

Have you lost a loved one? Are you grieving the loss of a family member, a friend, a partner or anyone else whose death is affecting you? Whether your loss was recent or years ago, this group will give you support through the grief process, the opportunity to connect with others experiencing a similar loss and a space to work through the pain of grief.

For undergraduate students: Thursdays, 4–5 p.m. (biweekly)
For graduate students: Thursdays, 5–6 p.m. (biweekly)

The group will serve as a safe space for students who identify as LGBTQ+ to come together to offer and receive support on common challenges facing members of our community. Topics include:

• Micro-aggressions
• The coming out process
• Family support or lack thereof
• Social difficulties related to gender or sexual identity
• Impact of political events
• Exploring one’s gender or sexual identity
• The challenges of being considered to be outside the societal “norm.”

This group is open to undergraduate and graduate students who are survivors of: sexual violence/misconduct, interpersonal violence, intimate relationship violence, childhood sexual abuse,stalking and sexual harassment. The purpose of this group is to provide a safe and therapeutic environment to decompress from weekly stressors.

Students interested in joining should call CAPS (812-855-5711) to schedule time with the group leader before starting group.