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Support and Therapy Groups
The Counseling Center offers several groups that explore a variety of topics and identities, led by mental health providers at our center. Groups offer benefits that differ from individual therapy, such as feeling less alone, diverse perspectives, feedback, encouragement, and peer connection in a safe and confidential space. We feel assured that group therapy is one of the most effective ways to address common concerns faced by our students.
Our groups are available to all MSU Denver students who are enrolled in at least 1 course credit the semester they wish to participate. If you are a student who is interested in a group, please send an email to the group facilitator (listed under each group) to schedule an appointment to determine group fit. Our Fall 2023 Support and Therapy Groups are offered in hybrid options, through Microsoft Teams or In-Person as stated in the descriptions.
Fall 2023 Support and Therapy Groups
We all experience stress and worry. When worries seem to constantly take center stage and crowd out other important thoughts and emotions, it may be anxiety. This group can help members better understand their personal experience of anxiety and develop new and effective ways to improve coping.
Option 1: Virtual
When: Mondays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Andrew Sia, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist
Location: Microsoft Teams
To register email: [email protected]
Option 2: In-Person
When: Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Facilitator: Lisa Boyum, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist
Location: Tivoli 651
To register email: [email protected]
This group will provide a safe place to explore, understand, and process the various experiences of depression, working towards understanding these experiences and offering method for managing life.
When: Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Ray Gornell, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist
Location: Microsoft Teams
To register email: [email protected]
This therapy group is designed for individuals who desire growth, insight, and awareness of both self and others by relating effectively with other group members in a safe, supportive environment.
Option 1: In-Person
When: Mondays, 3:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Facilitator: Michael Malmon, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist
Location: Tivoli 651
To register email: [email protected]
Option 2: Virtual
When: Fridays, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Facilitator: Michael Malmon, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist
Location: Microsoft Teams
To register email: [email protected]
This group will emphasize group skills to help persons learn new skills and strategies. This in-person group will provide the opportunity to develop effective ways to navigate life situations or manage challenges in relationships.
When: Thursdays, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Vicky Tuakoi, Psy.D., Staff Psychotherapist
Location: Tivoli 651
To register email: [email protected]
Making new friendships after high school can be a challenge. It’s not like you are in three classes together and also eat at the same lunch table! Join us as we brainstorm together about how to increase our social circles, find out where others have met their friends, see what the research community has to say about adult friendships and social support, learn a few social tools … and there will be snacks, too!
When: Mondays, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Facilitator: Lisa Boyum, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist
Location: Tivoli 651
To register email: [email protected]
Do you ever find it hard to be compassionate towards yourself? When self-compassion feels hard, we may be experiencing shame, believing that we are flawed and unworthy of love and belonging. Everyone experiences shame and learning how to overcome shame is important for us to engage in meaningful relationships with ourselves and others. In this group, we will explore how shame impacts our self-worth and how we can move towards self-compassion and acceptance of who we are. This is a semi-structured group based off Brene Brown’s Gifts of Imperfection.
When: Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Maira Birrueta, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist
Location: Tivoli 651
To register email: [email protected]
As an adult survivor of sexual abuse or assault, you have been living with these memories for a long time. Some survivors keep the abuse a secret for many years. You may have tried to tell an adult and met with resistance or felt there was no one you could trust. For these reasons and many others, the effects of sexual abuse can occur many years after the abuse has ended. Remember that there is no set timeline for dealing with and recovering from this experience. The group can provide the safe space for you to receive the support you have long needed but never quite found.
When: Wednesdays, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Vicky Tuakoi, Psy.D. Staff Psychotherapist
Location: Tivoli 651
To register email: [email protected]
This group is for students who have experienced trauma in the past, or recently experienced a traumatic event. The group will focus on how trauma has impacted individuals in the present, how to deal with ongoing difficulties, and work on processing past and current traumas in safe and paced environment.
When: Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Ray Gornell, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist
Location: Tivoli 651
To register email: [email protected]
Everything we hear, see, and perceive at home, at work, at school and in the media can seep in and affect our ability to make our way in the world. If unaddressed, stereotypes about the Trans community can have a negative impact on our mental health. This group will provide a safe place to talk about who we are, our process of transitioning, and how we can make our way in the world.
When: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Facilitator: Jeanne Burkhart, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist
Location: Tivoli 651
To register email: [email protected]
The Men’s Group is a supportive space for students who identify as men to discuss a range of issues related to their social and emotional wellbeing, challenge traditional norms that constrain choices and self-expression, and learn to connect with others more authentically.
When: Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Andrew Sia, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist
Location: Tivoli 651
To register email: [email protected]
This group is a safe space for those who want to understand, explore, and process the experiences of being Latina/o/e and navigating two cultures, two countries, and multilayered identities. We will discuss culture and diversity, gendered norms, family, identity, belonging, healthy relationships, community strengths, being a college student, and socio-political environment as a Latina/o/e identified person. This group will be a place for community, empowerment, and support.
When: Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Maira Birrueta, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist
Location: Tivoli 651
To register email: [email protected]
Needing some community? Wanting to be a part of a space where there are others who get what it is like to be a woman of color on campus and in society? This is an unstructured group designed for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & people of color) women to come together, provide support, and receive support from others. Topics discussed may include intersectionality, stereotypes and assumptions, gender roles and sexism, discrimination, oppression, trust, and privilege. This group welcomes any BIPOC individual who identifies as a woman.
When: Mondays, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Patricia Gonzalez, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist
Location: Microsoft Teams
To register email: [email protected]
If you have issues with disordered eating, body image, or your relationship with food, this process group can help you explore contributing factors to these issues and learn the skills and techniques to manage these attitudes and behaviors.
When: Mondays, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Jeanne Burkhart, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist
Location: Tivoli 651
To register email: [email protected]