CAPS' support groups provide a safe, welcoming space for students to connect with others who share similar experiences while offering and receiving support.

CAPS’ therapy groups offer students the opportunity to gain insight into themselves and their relationships by interacting with others in a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental space.

Students often tell us that they look forward to coming to group each week because it’s a place where they feel understood, supported, and less alone. In our most recent survey, 100% of USO members said they would recommend the group to a friend.

One former USO member wrote, "At first it was intimidating to share vulnerable things, but after a few sessions it became easier. Hearing that other members were going through similar things helped me feel less alone."

This is a common concern, especially on a college campus. We try to ensure that students who know each other are not in the same group. If a connection between two members becomes known after a group has started, the group leaders will talk with the students involved to decide how best to handle the situation.

Feeling nervous about group therapy is not only normal, but common. Many students worry about saying the wrong thing or aren't sure how much they'll want to share. Most new group members find that they become more comfortable after a few sessions.

You'll never be pressured to talk or share more than you want to. Many students are surprised to find that, once they experience the group's supportive, nonjudgmental environment, opening up feels easier than they expected.

That’s a common concern. Because every group is different, it can be hard to know exactly what the experience will be like ahead of time. Before joining, you’ll have a chance to meet with the group leader(s), ask questions, and learn more about how the group works.

Our therapy groups typically include 5–8 students and 1–2 CAPS clinicians who meet weekly through the semester for an hour-and-a-half. Meetings are held in person at CAPS. Each group has its own unique “personality,” so discussion topics depend on what’s important to the members of that group. To promote a sense of comfort and privacy, we try to ensure that students who know each other are not in the same group, and everyone in the group signs an agreement that they won’t share anything that’s said in group with anyone else.

Yes, that’s possible. Some students participate in group therapy alone, while others participate in group and individual therapy at the same time.

Individual and group therapy each have advantages, and both have been shown to be equally effective mental health treatments. For some concerns, especially those related to anxiety, group therapy may be more effective.