Student Health & Counseling

Workshops & Groups

Workshops & Drop-In Groups

Disclosure Statement

Due to the open and online nature of this space, the support groups and workshops provided are not private or confidential, though participants are encouraged to be respectful and mindful of each other’s privacy. Participants can also change your name in zoom if they wish to keep their name private, though they will need to utilize their @pdx account to access the zoom meeting. Please reach out  to your group leaders if you have accessibility needs and we will work to support you. 

Although facilitators are mental health and health professionals, this support group does not constitute treatment or therapy. We also encourage those needing additional support to seek out confidential medical and/or mental health consultation services through PSU Student Health and Counseling Services (503)725-2800; For crisis support, you can also contact the Multnomah County Crisis Line at 503-988-4888. 

Workshops and group therapy may be facilitated by PSU students in the Master's in Social Work or Master's in Counseling programs.

Understanding the Different Options

What is Group Counseling?

Group counseling can provide unique benefits including learning with and from peers, receiving feedback and support from peers in a counselor-facilitated setting, and learning specific skills in a group environment.

What is a Workshop?

Workshops focus on a specific topic related to mental health and wellness and are a provider led informational presentation. The workshops offered at SHAC are informational, and designed to offer those that attend new insights and information about a wide variety of topics.

What is a Drop-In Group? 

A drop-in group is more of an informal open support group offered to specific groups of people. We have hosted groups for Graduate students, students seeking sobriety, students with children and many others.

 

Spring Term Workshops & Drop-In Groups

Polyvagal Workshops

A Trauma-Informed Nervous System Approach to More Effectively Cope with Anxiety, Depression, and other Emotions

This workshop is open to the entire PSU community (students, staff, faculty, etc.)

Polyvagal Theory by Stephen Porges is known as the neuroscience of safety and connection, and has had a significant impact on how we heal trauma.  It also provides a useful framework for understanding and effectively dealing with our daily emotional experiences and anxiety.  In this workshop, we will review the core concepts of Polyvagal Theory and learn concrete strategies to help your mood.

Workshop Date & Time

Mondays, 5:30 - 7:15pm

Schedule

  • April 8th 
  • April 15th 
  • April 22nd 
  • April 29th
  • May 6th 
  • May 13th 
  • May 20th & 27th – NO workshop
  • June 3rd
     

Attend a Workshop

Access the workshops via the Zoom link.

It is very important that you are on time, because the most important slide happens in the very beginning of the workshop.  If you arrive after that slide is reviewed, you will not be let in from the waiting room and you will need to join us on a different week.  Also, please know that the expectation is that your video will be on, in order to increase the feeling of community.

Navigating Life with ADHD: A 3-Part Workshop Series

This 3-part workshop series is suitable for folks who have or suspect a diagnosis of ADHD and have experienced difficulties in their relationships and personal well-being as a result of attention/concentration struggles. In Workshop 1, ADHD Myth Busting, we will learn about what ADHD really is (and isn’t) and reflect on how truths and myths about ADHD affect ourselves and our relationships. In Workshop 2, Knowing Myself and Persevering, we discuss how ADHD affects motivation and learn ways to help ourselves emotionally as we pick ourselves up after each fall. In Workshop 3, Caring for Myself, we reflect on how people in our lives may affect our growth and well-being and learn how to care for ourselves physically and emotionally in life’s journey with ADHD.

Workshop Date & Time

Wednesdays, 1:30-2:45pm May 1, May 8, May 15

Schedule

  • Wednesday May 1st, 1:30 - 2:45 PM, ADHD Myth Busting - Zoom Link
  • Wednesday May 8th, 1:30 - 2:45 PM, Knowing Myself and Persevering - Zoom Link
  • Wednesday May 15th, 1:30 - 2:45 PM, Caring For Myself - Zoom Link
     

Attend a Workshop:

Join via Zoom links above. Must have ODIN login to join.

Parent Support Group 

In conjunction with Services for Students with Children, SHAC therapist Jennifer Dahlin,PsyD will be offering an ongoing support group for PSU parents.   The focus of these meetings will be to build community for parents who are struggling with balancing school and parenting. This group is open to any student parent in the PSU community and welcomes solo parents, guardians, queer parent(s) and anyone who considers themselves to be in a parenting role. Please see the Services for Students with Children website for more information and zoom link: https://www.pdx.edu/students-with-children.

Group Date & Time

Thursdays, 11am -12pm

April 4th, April 18th, May 2nd, May 16th, May 30th

Attend a Group

Please see the Services for Students with Children website for more information and zoom link: https://www.pdx.edu/students-with-children.

Parenting Workshops

Group Date & Time

Wednesdays, 12:00-1:00pm (specific dates below)

Workshop Topics & Dates

  • Kids Who Worry - April 10th
  • Parenting Teens, Tweens, and Adolescents - May 8th
  • Being An Emotional Anchor (focused on kids and adults) - May 22nd

Injury Support Group for Athletes

The Injury Support Group for Athletes is an open, drop in, support group available to PSU athletes who have experienced an injury that has impacted their participation in their sport. This space will provide a safe community for individuals to process the ambiguous grief associated with being injured, as well as develop a greater sense of self awareness to acknowledge and process their feelings associated with this loss. This group is open to all athletes who have been injured in the past or who are currently navigating an active injury. If you have any questions about whether this group is a good fit for you, please contact Maddie Gregory at madisong@pdx.edu. Due to the drop in format of this support group, confidentiality is not guaranteed.  

Group Date & Time

Biweekly on Thursdays during Spring term, 5pm

Schedule:

  • Thursday, April 18th
  • Thursday, May 2nd
  • Thursday, May 16th
  • Thursday, May 30th
     

Attend a Group:

This group meets in the Morrow Room, Stott 138.

Conversation & Conexiones: A Latine Student Support Group

In collaboration with La Casa Latina, SHAC therapist Stefanie Cruz, LMFT is offering a drop-in group for Latine students at Portland State. The goal of these meetings is to discuss topics that are relevant to the Latine student experience at PSU. Topics of interest may include: first-generation college experience, imposter syndrome, family dynamics, boundaries, anxiety, belonging, celebrating culture, etc. Due to this group being a drop-in format (informal support group), confidentiality is not guaranteed. Students are welcome to attend as many sessions as they would like. Open to all students who identify. No referral required.

If you have any questions regarding this group, please contact Stefanie Cruz at scruz@pdx.edu

Group Date & Time:

Spring term, most Thursdays at 3:00pm

Schedule:

  • Thursday, April 18
  • Thursday, April 25
  • Thursday, May 2
  • Thursday, May 9
  • Thursday, May 23
  • Thursday, May 30


Attend a Group:

Smith Memorial Student Union (SMSU), room 258
 

Group Counseling - SPRING GROUPS

Interpersonal Process Groups: Fridays 1-2:30pm

  • Description: Group therapy is an ideal setting where students can work on personal growth, develop insight about interpersonal relationship patterns, and receive support and feedback from peers.  Process groups promote greater self-awareness, authenticity, and provide a safe environment in which to practice new behaviors.  Groups are facilitated by two leaders and are offered throughout the year. A pre-group information session is required for participation. 
  • Facilitators: Lisa Koralewicz* and Kyle Isaacson
  • Room: Virtual Zoom Room

Intergenerational Trauma: Breaking the Cycles - Fridays 11am -12:30pm

  • Description: This process group is specifically designed for first generation immigrants or first generation children of immigrants.  The group will cover topics including understanding our roots and where we come from, guilt and shame, connecting with yourself and your lineage, building community, and healing and emotional wellbeing. The group will use psychoeducation, mindfulness, collective learning and somatic interventions to engage with these topics.
  • Facilitators: Israa Al-Hasani, LCSW and Anam Khan, MA
  • Room: In-Person SHAC Group Room 2

Overcoming Social Anxiety Group: TBD (1.5 hour sessions)

  • Description: This group is for students who struggle with social confidence, worry about social interactions, and feel self-conscious in social contexts. Group members will learn about anxiety management strategies, tips for meeting new people and deepening relationships, have the opportunity to practice establishing new relationships and positive connections, drawing on their natural strengths, and gain a more accurate perception of self and others.
  • Facilitator(s): Vivien So, PhD and Kyle Isaacson, PhD
  • Room: Virtual Zoom Room

Emotional Balance Group: Thursdays 2-3:30pm  Starting April 18th (8 sessions over spring term)

  • Description: This group will use Emotions Regulation and Distress Tolerance Skills frequently used in DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) to focus on regulating and effectively managing big emotions that can overwhelm us.  We will use the booklet, Pocket Therapy for Emotional Balance to learn psychological tools for achieving and maintaining emotional well-being. The facilitator is an experienced DBT practitioner with several years of experience teaching DBT skills. This will be an in person group.
  • Facilitator: Sarah Williams and Nikki Bruce
  • Room: In person 
     

 

City of Portland skyline.

OUTREACH, CAMPUS PARTNERSHIPS, AND CONSULTATION

Interested in bringing an outreach or workshop to your class or program? SHAC Counseling offers a number of consultation training services that include: one-on-one small group consultations, guest lectures, program development, committee involvement, critical incident involvement, workshops, and more!

Contact Counseling