Group Counseling

Are you looking to improve your relationships, get support from others or learn more about others' perceptions of you? Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) offers a variety of group counseling options including topics such as anxiety, body image, relationships, and much more.

Group counseling is a widely used and standard treatment. Studies comparing group counseling to individual counseling show that group counseling is as effective and sometimes more effective than individual counseling. Group counseling is one of the main forms of treatment at CAPS. Currently, group counseling is offered at the MMC and BBC CAPS locations.

Group counseling provides you with the unique opportunity to learn with and from other people. By receiving support and feedback from other group members, you will be able to gain a better understanding of your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.

Students interested in group therapy can make an appointment with a CAPS clinician and collaboratively determine which group best fits your needs and schedule. Students will also have an opportunity to meet with their group facilitator to create personalized group goals.

Types of Groups Offered:

Process Groups are supportive environments for students to give and receive interpersonal feedback and focus on in-the-moment communication, thoughts, and emotions. Group members reflect on ways they tend to interact with others and how this relates to their understanding of themselves and their relationships. While process groups can be a good fit for students seeking support regarding a variety of topics, they are typically recommended for students who would like to improve their relationships in some way.

Skill-based groups are semi-structured groups that provide education about mental health concerns and skills to improve daily functioning. Group members will often have the opportunity to relate to each other and try out these new skills inside and outside the group sessions.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy groups provide a structured evidenced-based treatment to challenge social anxiety, panic disorder, and specific phobias in a supportive and collaborative environment using exposure therapy.

Attending a session

Only registered FIU students are eligible to join group. Group sessions come at no cost. Groups typically meet for the duration of a semester, excluding FIU holidays. This typically is about 8 to 10 weeks.

If you would like to attend a group session, please call 305-348-2277 to request a consultation appointment or visit CAPS during walk-in hours. This is a prerequisite for joining the group.

For some students, group counseling can be uncomfortable at the beginning. To give group counseling a fair chance, CAPS asks that you commit to attending at least 6 group sessions. After that, if you decide to leave the group, you should discuss your decision with the group leaders so that alternative treatment options can be considered.

Please let the group leaders know immediately if you have an existing relationship with someone in the group. At this point, the group leaders will decide how to best resolve the situation.

Confidentiality policy

Counseling is confidential. Confidentiality refers to keeping information that is shared private and to oneself. CAPS does not release information to FIU administrators or faculty, parents, family members, or outside agencies without the client's written authorization. Exceptions to confidentiality include: as required by Florida law, when a clinician determines that a person is at risk for child or elder abuse/neglect, suicide, or homicide.

Contact

To make an appointment with us, please call the offices at MMC or BBC. Appointments will be held over the phone or by videoconference (through a HIPAA-compliant platform).

Modesto A. Maidique Campus

Student Health Center (SHC) 270
305-348-2277 (CAPS)

Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 5 PM

Biscayne Bay Campus

Wolfe University Center (WUC) 320
305-919-5305