SRU counseling center offers new group therapy options

Oct. 30, 2018

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Slippery Rock University's Student Counseling Center, a safe haven that supports and promotes each individual's psychological, academic and holistic health, has begun offering new group counseling sessions for students. The group sessions will bring together students struggling with similar issues.

"There's just something so powerful about sitting in a room with others that are going through the same things you are," said Lisa Osachy, an associate professor of counseling and development and the director of the SCC. "You know you're not alone and it gives students the opportunity to connect with others. I want people to have that experience and support.

"There were already a few (therapy) groups at the University when I started working here two years ago, but I really wanted to build the program and offer more groups in order to serve more students and to support different needs that weren't already being addressed in group sessions."

Group counseling sessions introduced this semester include:

● "Courageous," a counseling group focused on body image and self-esteem that meets 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Mondays.
● "YANA (You Are Not Alone!)," a support group for women who are survivors of sexual violence that meets 4-5:30 p.m., Tuesdays.
● "Empathize (Interpersonal and Social Skills)," a counseling group that encourages developing skills and strategies to apply within interpersonal relationships that meets 1:30-3 p.m., Wednesdays.
● "I'm Stressed Out (Stress Management)," a counseling group to get advice on tools to cope with stress in academics and life that meets 3:30-5 p.m., Thursdays.
● "SANCTUARY (LGBTQIA)," a confidential space for members to discuss LGBTQIA issues and identities that meets 4:30-6 p.m., Thursdays.
● "Change It! (Motivational Interviewing)," a support group that helps students break habits rooted in strong behavioral components that meets 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fridays.
● "Grief/Loss," a support group that provides a safe environment for processing feelings around death or loss that meets 2:30-4 p.m., Fridays.

Sessions are conducted by co-facilitators, typically a counseling center staff member and a graduate student, with the exception of "Change It!," which is facilitated by a single counselor. Each group is overseen by the same counselor each week.

Students are allowed to attend as many groups as they wish. As with an individual counseling session, all discussions are confidential.

Those interested in registering for a group can call the SCC at: 724.738.2034 or by visiting the SCC on the first floor of Rhoads Hall.

MEDIA CONTACT: Lesa Bressanelli | 724.738.2091 | lnb1009@sru.edu