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Group Counseling

Counseling in a small group setting can help you feel less alone. It connects you with other students who are going through similar struggles, creating an environment of social support and encouragement.

Each academic year, NC State Counseling Center offers a wide variety of group counseling options. All Counseling Center groups welcome any currently enrolled NC State student. The groups may change between semesters, so please check back here for updates. Learn about current groups and how to get started below.

Summer 2025 Groups

Come As You Are harm reduction group is a place for students to connect with other students who are struggling with addictive behaviors. This group supports students in making healthier decisions around certain harmful behaviors or consequences relating to use and experiences with alcohol, drugs, gambling, the internet, gaming, or nicotine, etc. The group’s focus works to minimize the negative consequences on student’s wellness (i.e. mental and physical health, relationships, or academics).

  • In-Person | Thursdays, 3:30-5 p.m.

A neurodiverse-friendly DBT skills group is designed to accommodate the unique needs and strengths of individuals with various neurodiverse conditions, such as autism, ADHD, and other cognitive or sensory differences. The group aims to create a supportive and accessible environment where participants can learn and practice DBT skills effectively. We will mainly focus on adaptive DBT skills for prevention of burnout, managing distress effectively and how to set boundaries that help us divert possible shutdowns.

  • Virtual | Thursdays, 11 a.m.-noon

Groups Returning in Fall 2025

ADHD Undergraduate group is a safe, affirming place to build connections between undergraduate students with ADHD. We provide support for executive functioning, education about ADHD, and celebrate the unique qualities of having an ADHD brain!

  • In-Person | Tuesdays, 2:30-4 p.m.

The process group is a safe and inclusive space aimed at building community while improving overall well-being. This is achieved through exploring various topics such as physical and mental health, culture, and academic and career goals through the lens of the Black male experience here at NC State.

  • In-Person | Wednesdays, 3-4:30 p.m.

This is an 8-week group where students learn what it means to be body neutral, how to reframe your thinking from the negative self talk about your body. And learn how to navigate social media so that it supports a positive relationship with your body.

  • In-Person | Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills groups designed to help people develop practical skills to use when they are distressed and feels emotionally dysregulated often. DBT groups are often run like a class that teach four main skills: Mindfulness: Learning to focus on the present moment; Emotion regulation: Learning how to manage emotions; Interpersonal effectiveness: Learning strategies for healthy relationships; Distress tolerance: Learning how to deal with emotional crises.

  • Virtual | Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-noon

EmpowerHer Wellness group is a safe therapeutic processing space supporting women of color that meets weekly throughout the semester to explore topics related to self-identity, emotional and physical health, role expectations, academics and social relationships.

  • Hybrid | Thursdays, 3-4:30 p.m.

This group is open to students who are grieving the loss of a human loved one. The group offers a supportive and empathetic space where members feel safe sharing their grief experiences. The group also provides psychoeducation on the stages of grief, symptoms, coping strategies and resilience-building skills to navigate their grief journey, self-care tips and grief care resources.

  • Virtual | Wednesdays, 2-3:30 p.m.

This group is a safe space to support Latinx students. Students are welcome to share their stories, struggles, and successes of everyday life at NC State. Students are welcome to discuss experiences related to their identity, cultural values, academics/career, family, relationships and more. Students will learn about themselves, gain support from peers, and work on improving their self-care and life balance.

  • Virtual | Tuesdays, 3-4:30 p.m.

LEEP is a wellness and strengths-based group based on principles of Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). Members will learn strategies to respond flexibly to challenging life situations, manage their painful internal experiences, and pursue a rich, meaningful, values-based life. Each session will be experiential in nature and will require active engagement during the session and practice work in between sessions.

  • Virtual | Mondays, 3-4:30 p.m.

Men of Color group is a process group to support experiences of Men of Color, where we will explore and discuss everything from current events and social norms to relationships and overall wellness… and everything in between!

  • In-Person | Fridays, 2-3:30 p.m.

The Pride group is a safe space to support LGBTQIA+ folks and enable students to unpack related issues, concerns and topics. The goal of this space is to build connection and process experiences as a queer person on and off campus.

  • In-Person | Mondays, 3:30-5 p.m.

The Survivor group is designed to support students who have experienced interpersonal violence and/or situations in which they did not feel safe. Members will gain support and learn how their past experiences have affected their body, mind, and current lives and how to best cope with it. Members will also learn important insights and skills to better manage their patterns and emotions in relationships.

  • In-Person | Tuesdays, 3:15-4:45 p.m.

This group focuses on connecting, exploring, and learning with other students about trans experiences. Students give and receive support, with a focus on connecting with others and exploring identities in a safe space.

  • In-Person | Fridays, 10-11:30 a.m.

USO groups focus strongly on interpersonal process between members to increase self-awareness, gain and provide feedback, improve self-reflection, improve perspective taking, and challenge members to work on interpersonal goals.

  • In-Person
    • Wednesdays, 3-4:30 p.m.
    • Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon
    • Thursdays, 2:30-4 p.m.
  • Virtual
    • Fridays, 2:30-4 p.m.

All groups are open to all currently enrolled NC State students who are eligible for services. Groups do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or any other Protected Status listed in POL 04.25.05.

Getting Started with Groups

Why Group?

  • Groups cover a wide variety of topic and interest areas and also work to connect you with others who are seeking similar spaces and conversations. 
  • Groups often occur weekly throughout the semester and have no session limits!
  • Groups provide unique opportunities to decrease loneliness and isolation from others, share experiences with others in similar places, gain new perspectives, and practice new approaches and skills in a safe space with support from others.
  • What if I am hesitant about joining a group?
    • Our groups at the counseling center are entirely consent-based and no one is required to attend. If a group is recommended to you, you will always have the opportunity to meet with one of the facilitators ahead of time to ask questions before you decide to join. To help with this, your referring counselor will be happy to help you schedule a pregroup meeting with the facilitators so you can get the information you need and the questions you have answered before making a decision.
  • How much do I have to share about myself in group?
    • This aspect of groups is also entirely consent-based. Some groups do rely and focus more on member participation while others have content that is driven much more by the facilitators. It will be important to clarify what sort of group and how it may fit your current comfort zone.

Thanks to the American Group Psychotherapy Association– College Counseling Special Interest Group community, Scott Kaplan, PhD, for allowing us to incorporate their text into this page.