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.

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.

Please return to this webpage in August to see the Fall 2023 group offerings.

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  • Groups-Spring 2023-All Groups are In-Person unless noted below

    • MONDAY

      • 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: Nirvana Ramtahal, Psy D., Postdoctoral Resident

        Clinical Supervisor: 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.

        Co-Facilitator:  Seth Savoie, M.S., M.A., Doctoral Intern

        Co Facilitator: Erika Williams, M.A., Doctoral Intern

        Clinical Supervisor: Hillary Jones, PsyD.

    • TUESDAY

    • 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.

      • This support group is for students diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Group provides a safe space in which members can process current challenges, develop strategies for effective management of bipolar symptoms, and support each other in navigating the demands of their academic work, relationships, and personal lives. 

        Facilitator:  Bernie Ramsey, PsyD.

      • 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: Alyssa Fernandez, Psy.D.

      • 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.

      • The practice of mindfulness has been linked to happiness, health, and psychological well-being.  Research suggests that as little as twenty minutes of mindfulness practice daily reduces stress.  This group is designed to help you transition from living life on “automatic pilot” to living life in the present moment.  This 3-week mindfulness group offers you the opportunity to develop self-acceptance, patience, and compassion. VIRTUAL

        Facilitator: Gilbert Lopez Jr., LCSW

    • 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. 

        Facilitators: Alyssa Fernandez, PsyD.

      • Would you like to better understand yourself and deepen your relationships with others?  This group will help you gain self-understanding through interacting with other group members in the “here and now.” You will learn to be authentic in sharing thoughts and feelings and to reflect on what you are experiencing and learning.  The goal is for students to gain an understanding of their relationship patterns that can improve their relationships outside of group.

        Facilitator: Claudia Carroll, Ph.D.

        Co-Facilitator: Melissa Glass, M.A., Doctoral Intern

      • 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