The Group Counseling program at Counseling & Psychological Services includes offerings that can help students learn skills, manage distress, and/or build community. The three categories of groups are listed below. Some things to keep in mind:
- There is no additional cost for groups. CAPS services are covered by your student fees!
- Some groups require a different level of commitment ranging from drop-in once to quarter-long.
- Some groups require a pre-screen to ensure that the group is a good fit for your needs.
- If you are currently located outside of California, your ability to attend may depend on your specific location.
- Some group descriptions fit more than one category so they are listed multiple times.
Please read through the information for the group(s) you are interested in. If you have any questions, please contact CAPS at (805) 893-4411.
Psychoeducation & Skills Groups
These groups focus on teaching content and skills that can help students manage mental health concerns.
Identity-specific groups offer individuals with shared visible and invisible or hidden identities a space to process current issues, provide support to one another, and build community.
These groups offer students an opportunity to process concerns and seek support from peers, as well as a chance to practice social skill building and connecting with others.
Glossary of Group Counseling terms:
Drop-in - student can choose to attend just one session or multiple. No expectation of attendance. May still require an initial registration to get Zoom link access
Series - while not a "process group," information being shared builds on itself and it is beneficial to be able to attend all sessions
Pre-screen - a short (typically 15-30 minute) appointment with the group leader(s) to ensure that the group you are interested in is a good fit for your needs. These can be scheduled by calling (805) 893-4411 or by submitting a Services Request Form
Google request form - each group has a link to a Google Form for registration. This helps keep track of interest and group leaders can reach out with Zoom links and group updates. These will not prompt a pre-screen appointment - those need to be scheduled separately
[CLOSED] - this denotes when a group is full, and signups are closed for the quarter. Usually the group will open signups again near the beginning of the next quarter.
[WAITLIST] - this denotes when a group is full, and students are welcome to signup to be put on a waitlist.
Psychoeducation & Skills Groups
These groups focus on teaching content and skills that can help students manage mental health concerns.
Date/Time: Thursdays, 2-4pm
Prescreen required: No
Drop-in: Yes
Location: Main CAPS Building
Leaders: Laina Pauker, LCSW & Nancy Whittaker, LMFT
Are you looking for a break from screen time, a creative space to explore your artistic process, reduce your stress, and connect with others? In this therapeutic art group you can expect to start each session by selecting art materials to experiment with. Depending on your needs and preference, you are invited to chat with others while you work or take some time for yourself. Each session will close with debriefing about your process that day, any takeaways, and goals for the future. Materials are provided. No experience necessary.
Date/Time: Wednesday, 2:30-4pm
Prescreen required: Yes
Drop-in: No
Location: Student Health Services Classroom
Co-Leaders: Ashley Gilmore, LMFT, Jennifer Taylor, LMFT (ADP)
This didactic group that helps students adopt coping skills in the areas of Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. A significant focus of this group is psycho-education of emotions and DBT skills training, with mindfulness interwoven in each workshop. The goal of this group is to help students expand their repertoire of emotional management strategies while learning to effectively implement these tools in their lives. Students also have the opportunity to connect with and support their peers as they learn with and from each other. Helpful for a range of issues: Depression, anxiety, stress, mood instability, irritability, feelings of emptiness, identity issues, anger issues, intense or chaotic relationships, impulsivity, substance use concerns, eating disorders, suicidal and self-harming behavior.
Date/Time: Thursdays, 11am-12pm
Prescreen required: No
Drop-in: Yes
Location: Main CAPS Building
Co-Leaders: Jessica Lin, Ph.D., Oscar Lau, M.A., & Isabel Serrao, B.A.
This 6-week workshop is designed for students with ADHD-related difficulties to learn strategies for academic and personal well-being. These workshops offer a supportive, collaborative environment where students are encouraged to share experiences and practice new skills. Topics include: Understanding Strengths and Weakness of an ADHD Brain, Time Management, Goal Setting, Procrastination, Motivation, Working with your Attention Span, Adaptive Thinking, Coping Skills, Accommodations, and Self-Advocacy.
While students are encouraged to attend every session, drop-ins are welcome. You do not need to have an ADHD diagnosis to attend this workshop.
Date/Time: Mondays, 2-3:30pm
Prescreen required: No
Drop-in: Yes
Location: Main CAPS Building
Co-Leaders: Yuanhong Huang, Ph.D.
Welcome to join us for a workshop designed to support Mandarin-speaking students in managing stress and enhancing well-being through mindfulness and self-compassion practices. You will learn and practice methods to help you face challenges and setbacks with reduced stress, better emotional regulation, greater resilience, less self-criticism, and a healthier self-image.
欢迎加入我们专为华语学生设计的正念与自我关怀工作坊。在这里我们将一起学习如何通过正念练习与自我关怀，来帮助你在应对求学路上各种挑战和挫折的时候，能够更好地缓解压力，调节情绪，减少自我批评，对自己保持积极的认同，并更好地从中恢复过来。
Date/Time: Fridays, 2:30-4pm
Prescreen required: Yes
Drop-in: No
Location: Main CAPS Building
Co-Leaders: Sochanvimean Vannavuth, Ph.D.
Unlock Growth, Expression, and Healing Through Play & Drama
College can be overwhelming—academic pressure, life transitions, relationships, and identity struggles can all take a toll. Sometimes, words alone aren’t enough to process everything. That’s where Play & Drama Therapy comes in.
This group offers a creative, interactive, and low-pressure space to explore emotions, build confidence, and connect with others. Through guided activities like improvisation, role-playing, storytelling, and expressive movement, you’ll discover new ways to process experiences, reduce stress, and gain insight into yourself.
No acting or theater experience needed—just a willingness to explore, play, and grow. Whether you're feeling stuck, looking for a fresh way to express yourself, or just curious about how creativity can support your well-being, this space is for you.
Come as you are, and let’s create something meaningful together.
Date/Time: Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30pm
Prescreen required: Yes
Drop-in: No
Location: Zoom
Leaders: Steffanie Tinsley, Ph.D. & Steven Samrock, M.A.
This 7-week virtual group is for students who have lost a friend/loved one in a sudden and traumatic way and are experiencing both trauma and grief. The focus of this group is to connect with others on shared feelings of confusion, shock, sadness, and what it means to move forward with life. Information will be shared around the layers of complexity that comes with traumatic bereavement and to develop coping skills to address beliefs about the self and/or the world that can keep an individual stuck in their grief.
Click here to submit interest for Spring 2025
Date/Time: Wednesdays, 2:30-3:30pm
Prescreen required: Yes
Drop-in: No
Location: Zoom
Co-Leaders: Steffanie Tinsley, Ph.D. & Elizabeth Flood
This 7-week semi-structured group is for survivors of Interpersonal Violence (sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, child abuse) who would like to gain an understanding of how trauma continues to affect them and connect with others who have been through similar traumatic experiences. Group members will not be prompted to share their trauma story, as this group will focus more on the different ways in which traumatic experiences have impacted them, discuss coping skills and ways to manage trauma symptoms, and provide a safe space for members to feel less isolated/alone and more empowered to take charge of their own healing process. This group will heavily emphasize safety, self-compassion, and support, and is open to students of all genders and identities.
Date/Time: Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30pm
Prescreen required: Yes
Drop-in: Yes
Location: Main CAPS Building
Co-Leaders: Laina Pauker, LCSW Does your stress tend to pile up each quarter? Not sure how to regulate academic anxiety and other pressures? Join this weekly skills practice to notice what works for your brain and body. Practices will include art making, emotion regulation, and somatics.
Date/Time: Fridays, 2:45-4pm
Prescreen required: No
Drop-in: Yes
Location: Main CAPS Building
Co-Leaders: Pavani Khera, PsyD
This group provides a welcoming space for students to step away from daily stressors and reconnect with their bodies and breath, creating a pause from the mind’s constant activity. Stressful times can leave our nervous system in a persistent fight-or-flight state, which, if prolonged, may lead to a freeze response. Yoga serves as a powerful tool to help down regulate the nervous system, using breath as a grounding and calming anchor.
Each session includes simple asanas (yoga postures), breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques. Together, we’ll practice slowing down, listening to our bodies, and cultivating presence in a supportive group setting.
This group is ideal for students seeking accessible somatic approaches to manage stress and anxiety. No prior yoga experience is required—only a sense of curiosity and a willingness to tune into your body. Yoga mats, bolsters and blocks are provided. Please feel free to bring your own props or mats, if needed.
Date/Time: Wednesdays, 2-3:15pm
Prescreen required: Yes
Drop-in: No
Location: Main CAPS Building
Co-Leaders: Laina Pauker, LCSW & Ashley Chae, Psy.D.
This 6-week, in-person group is intended to support individuals who struggle with fear of public speaking, meeting new people, engaging in social events, starting conversations, and being assertive. Participants can expect to strengthen social skills through practice, self reflection, and group discussion each week. Challenge yourself to embrace discomfort and connect with others who have similar experiences.
Community Groups
Identity-specific groups offer individuals with shared visible and invisible or hidden identities a space to process current issues, provide support to one another, and build community.
Date/Time: Thursdays, 1-2:15pm
Prescreen required: Yes
Drop-in: No
Location: Main CAPS Building
Co-Leaders: Jocelyn Levitan, PhD. & Steven Samrock, M.A.
The support group is a space for GRADUATE STUDENT ADHDers (formally or informally diagnosed) to connect, support one another, and share strategies and wisdom learned from navigating the UCSB system, finding interpersonal connection, and managing daily life. This space will also be a space to celebrate the strengths of an ADHD brain and connecting with other neurodivergent folx that uniquely “get it.”
Discussion topics will be guided by the group members needs, but possible topics may include understanding the ADHD brain, increasing executive skills, self-advocacy in the face of oppressive systems, the neurodiversity movement, self-compassion, emotion-regulation, mindfulness, and rejection sensitivity dysphoria.
This will be a closed group in that you will be asked to commit to attending all group sessions so that you can build connection and have accountability. If interested, please sign up with the link below and I will reach out to you to schedule a 20-minute pre-screen to determine goodness of fit.
Click here to submit interest for Spring 2025
Date/Time: 4/17 & 5/22, 6-8pm
Prescreen required: No
Drop-in: Yes
Location: AdCRC
Leaders: Mario Barfield, Psy.D & Antar Tichavakunda, Ph.D
Black Men's Barbershop Talk Series is a drop in, community focused, support space open to all Black male identified students. Through engagement in meaningful dialogue and activities, Black men at UCSB will have an opportunity to build healthy and sustainable community in a capacity that increases their opportunities for: supporting, challenging, and celebrating each other; authentic emotional expression and exploring ideas central to Black masculinity. This community space also promotes and encourages inclusive and affirming connections with Black woman, LGBTQIA+ folks, staff, faculty, and community members. We hope to see you there!
If you are interested, please email Dr. Barfield directly at mjbarfield@ucsb.edu
Date/Time: Alternating Mondays, 4-6pm
Prescreen required: No
Drop-in: Yes
Location: Main CAPS Building
Leaders: Meridith Merchant, Ph.D & Mario Barfield, Psy.D
Join in on a discussion of the unique challenges commonly experienced as graduate students of the African diaspora. This is an opportunity to build a sense of community where you can collectively relieve stress, speak honestly, breathe fully, be empowered, be encouraged, be validated, and celebrate the successes of your journey. We look forward to connecting with you.
Date/Time: Tuesdays, 3:30-5pm
Prescreen required: Yes
Drop-in: No
Location: Main CAPS Building
Leaders:
Anam Khan, M.A. & Ashley Chae, Psy.D.
This group is designed specifically for women of color students, providing a safe, non-judgmental space to form meaningful connections with others who understand the unique challenges of this stage in life. Through open and honest conversations, you’ll explore your relationship with yourself, your emotions, and others—both within the group and in everyday life. The group offers a chance to gain insight into your relational patterns through here and now feedback and develop a deeper understanding of where those patterns come from. It’s also a supportive environment to navigate the complexities of adulthood, offering encouragement, connection, and growth along the way. Our hope is that by participating, you’ll develop more satisfying and meaningful relationships, which can positively impact your focus and overall experience in school.
Date/Time: Thursdays, 12-1:30pm
Prescreen required: No
Drop-in: Yes
Location: Asian Resource Center
Leaders: Sochanvimean Vannavuth, Ph.D. CAPS psychologist, Michael Takahara, H&W Health Educator
Welcome to HAPI, a warm and inviting support and discussion space at UCSB. We welcome individuals who identify as South Asian, Southeast Asian, East Asian, Pacific Islander, multi/bi-cultural, and multi/bi-racial. Our goal is to foster a sense of community where we can share experiences, connect with like-minded individuals, and support each other in a safe and inclusive environment. HAPI is a collaborative effort between CAPS, the Resource Center, and Health and Wellness, aimed at building a supportive community where everyone feels valued and heard. Our discussions may include mental health topics, and we also offer light refreshments such as Asian snacks to create a comfortable atmosphere for sharing and connection. We look forward to meeting you and creating meaningful connections together.
Date/Time: Wednesdays, 2:30-4pm
Prescreen required: No
Drop-in: Yes
Location: OISS Conference Room (SRB 3rd floor)
Leaders: Xin Sui, Psy.D. & Cristina Carney (OISS)
This weekly social circle provides a casual and safe space for international students to connect and support one another. International students will have the opportunity to share (or vent) their daily experience or/and challenges. This is also a space for students to recognize their strengths and receive guidance and resources.
*Please sign up if interested or if you have questions/concerns
*Students are welcome to join at any point in the quarter and do not need to attend every week
Date/Time: Thursdays, 3:30-5pm
Prescreen required: Yes
Drop-in: No
Location: Main CAPS Building
Leaders: Anam Khan, M.A.
Ever thought, "Why am I like this?" or felt weighed down by family baggage you didn't pack? Well, same. You're not alone. This group is dedicated to exploring and understanding the impact of intergenerational trauma among students of color. Our goal is to offer a supportive, culturally responsive space where you can share your experiences, reflect on generational patterns, and gain deeper insights into family and relational dynamics. We aim to foster awareness of inherited emotional patterns, break cycles of trauma that may affect multiple generations, and promote both individual and collective healing.
Through guided discussions, storytelling, reflective practices, and creative expression, we hope to empower you to nurture resilience, cultivate healthier relational dynamics, and reclaim your narrative while honoring your heritage and history.
Date/Time: Tuesdays, 1-2:30pm
Prescreen required: No
Drop-in: Yes
Location: Monarch Lounge
Leaders: Raul Poblano, ACSW & Gemma Garcia (USS)
Join CAPS and USS for Lunch at Mind Munch (Relax, Refresh, and Reconnect)! Weekly, we will host a drop-in space for students to have lunch while also building community around important topics like Mental Health, Resources on Campus, and the Stigmatization of Therapy.
Date/Time: Tuesdays, 2-3:15pm
Prescreen required: Yes
Drop-in: No
Location: Main CAPS Building
Co-Leaders: Lily Clark, Ph.D., & Rosaline Lin, Ph.D.
This support group is a space for ADHDers and Autists (formally or self- diagnosed) to connect, support one another, and share strategies. We'll discuss wisdom learned from navigating UCSB, finding interpersonal connection, and managing daily life. This will also be a space to celebrate the strengths of a neurodivergent brain and connect with other neurodivergent folx that uniquely “get it.” Discussion topics will be guided by the group members needs, but may include understanding a neurodivergent brain, increasing executive functioning skills, self-advocacy in the face of oppressive systems, the neurodiversity movement, self-compassion, emotion-regulation, mindfulness, and rejection sensitivity dysphoria. This will be a closed group in that you will be asked to commit to attending all group sessions so that you can build connection and have accountability. If interested, please sign up with the link below and I will reach out to you to schedule a 20-minute pre-screen to determine goodness of fit.
Date/Time: Wednesdays, 12-1:30pm
Prescreen required: No
Drop-in: Yes
Location: Participants will receive location information
Co-Leaders: Carla Corral, Ph.D. & Raul Poblano, ACSW, Jimmy Ojeda Pedraza
This weekly dialogue provides a safe space for Chicane/Latine identified students to support each other and recognize their strengths. This group will explore the role that cultural heritage plays in psychological and academic wellbeing. Chicane/Latine students will have the opportunity to talk about culture and diversity, family, identity, belonging, financial literacy, healthy relationships, navigating the university, our current socio-political environment, and what it means to be a Chicane/Latine college student.
Click here to submit your interest for Spring 2025
Date/Time: Wednesdays, 4-5pm
Prescreen required: No
Drop-in: Yes
Location: AdCRC
Leaders: Dominique Broussard, Ph.D. and Tara Jones, Ph.D.
Sister Circle is a weekly drop-in support space for Black womxn. This is a discussion-based group to receive support and feedback from similarly identified womxn within a safe and nurturing environment.
Click here to submit your interest for Spring 2025
Date/Time: Wednesdays, 3:30-5pm
Prescreen required: Yes
Drop-in: No
Location: Main CAPS Building
Leaders: Dana Campagna, Ph.D. & Oscar Lau, M.A.
TransFormative is a group for trans, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, gender fluid, gender queer and other gender questioning/exploring students to meet others, share and process, heal and help one another, and find/practice community in a safe, co-created, therapeutic and celebrating space. Topics may include trans identity, transitioning, internalized transphobia/negativity, friends and family, gender and physiological dysphorias, HRT and gender congruent procedures, community building, dating, self compassion, empowerment, and many others. 15 minute pre-screens are required; max 10 participants.
Date/Time: Mondays, 4:30-6pm
Prescreen required: Yes, if not known to group leader
Drop-in: No
Location: Main CAPS Building
Leaders: Dana Campagna, Ph.D.
True Selves is an LGBTQ+ support and process group intended to serve all LGBTQ+ students by providing a safe and therapeutic space for students to explore, discuss, share and celebrate their authenticity, confidence and selfhood with other similarly-identified students. This group is appropriate for students newer to exploring or questioning sexual identity, students wanting to deepen and enrich self knowledge and identity, students wanting to broaden their support system and community, and students looking to share and learn with other LGBTQ+ peers. Topics explored have included family/friends, finding/creating community, coming/being out, neurodiversity, relationship with self, internalized homophobia, dating, aro ace identities, trauma and marginalization, exploring/defining selfhood, and many others. Brief prescreens are required.
Date/Time: Thursdays, 2:30-4pm
Prescreen required: No
Drop-in: Yes
Location: Zoom
Leaders: Vanessa Garcia, LCSW
This group is a community space that welcomes healthy and open communication and fosters support for Latinas looking to connect, explore and discuss various aspects of growing up in a Latinx community/family including mental health, family dynamics, first generation, and relationships.
Interpersonal Process Groups
These groups offer students an opportunity to process concerns and seek support from peers, as well as a chance to practice social skill building and connecting with others.
Breathe, Feel, Connect: A Somatic & Relational Therapy Group for Grad Students; Wednesdays, 2:30-4pm
Date/Time: Wednesdays, 2:30-4pm (starting 2/19)
Prescreen required: Yes
Drop-in: No
Location: Main CAPS Building
Leaders: Pavani Khera, Psy.D. & Kiah Shriner
Struggling with academic stress, loneliness, or relational concerns? Join a supportive space where you can explore these challenges and find healing, not just through individual reflection, but through the power of the group dynamic. In this group, therapy happens by the group, for the group—everyone’s experiences, perspectives, and support contribute to the therapeutic process. You’ll engage in somatic practices to manage stress and connect with your body, and you’ll build deeper relational awareness by learning from others in a safe, confidential space.
What to Expect:
🌀 Explore how academic stress and emotional challenges show up in your body and relationships.
🤝 Develop relational awareness and improve how you connect with yourself and others.
🌿 Learn somatic tools to manage stress, regulate emotions, and increase resilience.
💬 Receive and offer support as part of a dynamic, healing group experience.
To access a list of student-led recovery meetings and community offerings, please click here. Many of these meetings are held either via Zoom and/or in the Gauchos for Recovery lounge at Embarcadero Hall in Isla Vista.
To access Mental Health Peer Program offerings, please visit their website at www.UCSBMHP.com.