Group Counseling

Working on therapy goals within a group setting can be a highly supportive and productive way to address personal concerns.  Students who share common concerns meet weekly as a group with one or more counselors to explore a specific topic and develop coping skills.  Group offerings vary each semester and lists are updated a few weeks before the semester begins.  Group counseling services will be provided both via HIPAA-compliant Zoom video and in-person at the San Marcos location of the Counseling Center. 

If you are interested in a group call 512-245-2208 to be added to the group list. A group leader will contact you to schedule a pre-group consultation.  Please consider activating your voice mail if you would like a message to be left when you are unavailable. 

There is no additional charge to participate in group therapy.  Groups are available to currently enrolled Texas State University students. Confidentiality in group therapy is respected.

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Interested in Group Counseling?

  • Groups are offered during the Fall and Spring Semesters
  • All Groups are In-Person, at the Counseling Center, San Marcos Campus, unless noted.
  • Once groups are closed, we do create an interest list for many of the group topics offered.   Students can call the Counseling Center to be placed on that interest list.  These students will be called during the beginning of the next semester to be scheduled for a group consultation.
  • Students are also encouraged to check back during the 1st week of classes to see what the actual groups will be with the accurate schedule for that semester.

How to sign up for group

  1. Check your schedule to confirm you are available on the day and time that the group meets. Groups meet weekly and attendance is important for both group connection and for you to get the most out of the group therapy experience.
  2. Call the Counseling Center (512-245-2208) and ask to be scheduled for a group consultation.
    • If you are interested in more than one group, please schedule first with your top choice and the group leaders will arrange for a second group consultation.
    • If you are new to the Counseling Center or haven’t been here this school year, please note that the group consultation will be one hour to allow for general screening questions to discuss your clinical needs as well as facilitate a discussion about the group experience.
  3. At the group consultation, group leaders will discuss group structure and focus, agreements that all group members make in terms of their participation and will be able to answer any questions you might have about group therapy.
  4. If the preferred group is closed:  Many of these groups are offered each semester.   We do take names for an interest list.  The new schedule will be updated the 1st week of the Fall/Spring Semester.
  5. If you require accommodations due to a disability in order to participate, please contact the Counseling Center, in person at LBJSC 5-4.1, by phone at 512-245-2208 or via email at counselingcenter@txstate.edu. 
Expand FAQ List

  • Groups-Fall 2024: If you would like more information about a group, please call 512-245-2208 and schedule a group consultation! If you are interested in a group that is closed, you can request to be placed on the interest list for Spring 2025.

    • MONDAY

      • The Understanding Self and Others group is designed for students who are interested in understanding themselves and their relationship patterns, learning to communicate more effectively with others, and gaining support and feedback from peers.  The focus of the group is on the "here and now” interactions in the group, with the idea that through giving and receiving feedback, people will be able to practice new behaviors and gain new self-understanding to build more fulfilling connections in their lives. 

        Facilitator: Claudia Carroll, Ph.D. and Leslie Espinoza-Moreno, M.Ed., Doctoral Intern

      • This group is for students who have been impacted by dysfunction in their family due to drug, alcohol use, or mental health issues.  Members will gain support, understanding of how family patterns impact them and skills for developing healthier relationships.

        Facilitator: Austin Nader, Psy D.

      • This group is intended to discuss and challenge perfectionistic thoughts and behaviors that can make daily tasks and decisions more challenging. This group will discuss common reasons behind perfectionistic thoughts, how perfectionism impacts  relationships, and how self-esteem can be impacted. Further, this group will identify coping skills that can be helpful in challenging perfectionism.

        Facilitator: Alyssa Fernandez, Psy.D.

    • TUESDAY

      • This support group is for students that identify on the autism spectrum or with a similar disorder.  This will be a safe place for members to process their personal challenges, associate with other students in similar situations, and gain support and skills to navigate college life.  A formal diagnosis is not needed to participate in this group.

        Facilitator:  Clare Duffy, Ph.D.

      • This group is designed to provide support for graduate and professional students who may be struggling with any of the following: navigating the landscape of graduate school, work/life balance, stress management, coping with the politics of grad school, academic challenges and finding time for fun and relaxation. Other topics may be determined by the needs of the group participants. VIRTUAL

        Facilitator: Claudia Carroll, Ph.D.

      • It can be empowering to join with others to discuss the impact that your sexual, romantic, and/or gender identities have on crucial aspects of your life.  This group will allow members to share life experiences, examine issues related to your LGBTQIA identity, explore, and define your personal identity, improve your relationships with others, and be part of an inclusive and supportive environment.

        Facilitator:  Seth “Skye” Savoie, PsyD.

    • WEDNESDAY

      • Being a student often means “beating yourself up” when you feel like you have failed.  The Self-Compassion Group is intended to help students develop kinder relationships with themselves.  The group will be offered twice during the semester for 5-6 sessions at a time.  Topics will include increasing mindfulness of difficult emotions, calming the inner critic, and recognizing our common humanity.  We will talk about ways to accept our mistakes, increase self-forgiveness, and explore new, self-nurturing behaviors.

        Facilitator: Rebecca Gonzalez, Ph.D. and Kaitlyn Richard, M.A., Doctoral Intern

      • This group is designed to provide you with a safe space to process and grieve the death of a loved one.  Each meeting will offer the opportunity for members to share their personal stories of loss while receiving support.  The group will address expectations of the grief process, common responses to loss, coping skills, and self-care options.  Group often helps reduce isolation that can be experienced when grieving and creates compassionate connections with others.

        Facilitator:  Seth “Skye” Savoie, PsyD.

      • This group is designed for students who are struggling with connecting with others and are seeking a supportive environment to work on improving communication and social skills. Topics addressed are thoughts, feelings and behaviors associated with social anxiety, problematic shyness, and assertiveness that may be preventing you from having healthy, meaningful relationships. An emphasis is placed on applied practice of skills discussed in group.  

        Facilitator: Richard Martinez, Ph.D.

    • THURSDAY

      • Do you want to learn better ways to manage panic and worry? This group will focus on increasing your understanding and knowledge about anxiety, as well as improving skills to help you cope with anxiety and provide support to others who may be experiencing similar difficulties. 

        Facilitator: Alyssa Fernandez, PsyD. and Haley Skinner, B.A., Practicum Counselor

      • Do you feel overwhelmed with emotions and their unwanted consequences? Are you confused and have difficulties with coping in the moment? Through the Master the Moment group you will better understand your emotions, identity unhelpful emotional patterns and increase problem solving skills. 

        Facilitator: Gilbert Lopez Jr., LCSW-S

      • Moving to a different country to study can be both enriching and challenging at times. The international student support group offers a safe and confidential space for international students to process their similar experiences of studying abroad and being away from home. In this group, students can process experiences of navigating different culture norms, communication,  adjustment concerns, interpersonal relationships, minority stress, academic performance, and homesickness. Members of the group be able to offer and receive support, form meaningful connections, and learn ways to foster resilience, self-care, and healthy adjustment. 

        Facilitator:  Erika Williams, Psy.D. and Da Hwin (Erin) Kim, M.Ed., M.A., Practicum Counselor

      • The process of engaging in any creative activity is healing.  In this group students use a variety of art modalities to express thoughts, feelings, concerns and hopes.  In the process of artmaking and talking to each other, students gain self-understanding, and develop a sense of community. No previous art experience or skills is necessary.

        Facilitator:  Richard Martinez, PhD and Uchechi Nwakanma, M.A., Doctoral Intern