CAPS offers three formats of groups treatment:1) Coping Through the Quarter Groups, 2) Wellness Skills Groups and 3) Therapy Groups. Expand the links below to learn more about these groups.
Students’ eligibility to participate in groups will vary depending on SHIP status. All groups are held at CAPS.
Download Fall 2018 CAPS Brochure now!
These 50-minute groups help you develop stress management skills and coping tools. Each week, a different skill is reviewed for a total of 5 skills. The series is repeated twice each quarter but you may start at any week of the quarter. You may find these groups helpful as you await your first therapy session (intake) or in between follow-up sessions. You are encouraged to participate in all 5 sessions. Dates & Time: Mondays - Fridays, 10:00am-10:50am Fee: Free for students with SHIP. $15/session for students without SHIP. To enroll: All registered UCLA students are eligible to participate. Obtain a referral from a CAPS counselor and sign up with the Front Desk staff. You will be enrolled in the 5-session series, starting any week and day that fits your schedule. Cancel the sessions you do not need (with the 24-hr cancellation policy in mind). Week 1: Relaxation Tools Self Soothing; Improving the Moment; Grounding Techniques; Relaxation Strategies Week 2: Time Management Tools Define your priorities, use time better, be productive; Create SMART goals Week 3: Problem Solving Tools Steps to Problem Solving; Pro's & Con's of Acting & Resisting Week 4: Thought Awareness Tools Thought Journal; Alternative/Balanced Thoughts; 8 Patterns of Limited Thinking Week 5: Acceptance Tools Radical Acceptance; Self-Compassion; Writing to Change Your Mood The series is repeated Weeks 6-10. No groups during Finals Week.
WSG are designed to help you enhance wellness and develop personal, academic, and social skills. WSG are offered at various times in the academic quarter, each are typically held as a 3-session series,1 hour per session.
As each group session builds upon the skills of the prior session, it is critical that you are able to participate in the entire series to receive maximum benefits. WSG are considered "closed" groups, meaning you will need to pre-register and new members cannot join once the series has begun.
To enroll: All registered UCLA students are eligible to participate. Students must complete the Brief Screen process with a CAPS clinician prior to participation or be referred by their CAPS provider. Students without SHIP insurance will be charged a fee for WSG participation.
FINDING FOCUS (Undergrad & Grad)
Need help with concentration problems, ADHD and other academic difficulties? This group will help identify academic strengths and weaknesses; understand how to maximize attention, concentration and memory; improve your academic performance skills; decrease anxiety and manage stress; and manage personal, social and campus support to improve college success.
OVERCOMING PROCRASTINATION
If your procrastination has become problematic or embarrassing, this group can offer some help. Explore reasons behind excessive procrastination and discuss the costs involved through this structured and supportive group. Learn and practice specific tools to create realistic goals, manage time better and increase productivity.
Section 1: 07/09/18 - 07/23/18 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Section 2: 08/13/18 - 08/27/18 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
BREAK THE CYCLE OF ANXIETY:
Are you feeling overwhelmed by academic pressures and other stressful circumstances? This group is for students who want to learn about anxiety and how to manage it. Join this group to learn and practice a variety of anxiety management tools.
Section 1: 08/15/18 - 08/29/18 1:00 - 2:00 pm
PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION:
Do you set very high standards for yourself and feel badly when you fall short? Does your desire to be the best prevent you from trying new things or takings risks? Learn how perfectionism can get in your way and how to be a high achiever without being a perfectionist.
THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING:
If you dread speaking in public, you are not alone. many Americans rate speaking in public as one of their top fears. Yet, being a successful student requires speaking in public, whether it is in social situations or in academic settings, such as seminars. Join this supportive group if you would like to learn effective tools for managing public speaking anxiety and speaking publicly with greater comfort.
BODY IMAGE GROUP:
We are all bombarded with messages about body shape, weight and dieting. These messages promote an unrealistic body-image ideal. This 3-session skills group focuses on challenging the media-driven ideals for men and women. Members will have an opportunity to improve their body image by adopting an ideal based on flexibility, health and values.
MAKE PEACE WITH FOOD:
Do you find yourself stuck in a pattern of chronic dieting or trying to gain control over eating? This 3-session skills group focuses on challenging what you think you know about what you should eat and reconnecting with your body's natural ability to guide food choices and portion sizes.
GETTING WHAT YOU WANT: INTERPERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS SKILLS:
Do you struggle with asserting yourself in relationships, interpersonal problem-solving, or feeling good about yourself after interactions with others? This 3-session skills-based group is for students who want to learn how to get their needs met in their interactions and relationships with others.
08/14/18 - 08/28/18 2:30 - 4:00 pm
MINDFUL PATHWAYS TO WELLNESS:
Secular and spiritual traditions have recognized mindful awareness as a powerful pathway towards easing distress. Mindfulness-based psychological techniques are effective for coping with difficulties in life and in improving the overall quality of life. learn basic principles of mindfulness and practice a variety of ways of being in the moment.
TAMING YOUR INNER CRITIC
This 3-session wellness skills group is designed for individuals that have developed the habit of being hard on themselves (e.g. related to academic, social or emotional difficulties) and have realized it is not working the way they hoped. This group aims to help students identify their inner critic, understand the function and outcome of self-criticism, and practice non-judgmental stance and self-compassion as an alternative method of self-talk.
Section 1: 08/06/18 - 08/20 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Section 2: 08/27/18 - 09/17 2:30 - 4:00 pm
Therapy groups are weekly "closed" groups, comprised of 6-8 participants, and require a pre-screening by the group facilitator. "Closed" groups mean new members cannot join once the group has begun.
Students are limited to participation in one therapy group per quarter and a maximum of three quarters in the same therapy group.
To enroll: Registered UCLA students must have SHIP insurance* and an individual therapist at CAPS to participate in most therapy groups. Students who have not begun individual therapy at CAPS must complete the Intake process with a CAPS clinician prior to participation in a therapy group. Visit CAPS for a brief screen to start the process as soon as possible. Due to varying circumstances (e.g.wait times for an intake, waitlist for a specific group, etc), students may need to wait until a future academic quarter to participate in a therapy group.
*Students are eligible to participate in Survivors of Sexual Assault Groups regardless of SHIP insurance enrollment.
When are groups held? As therapy groups are ongoing for the majority of each quarter, enrollment usually occurs during Week 1 or 2. Group days and times are determined by the needs of its members. Check back at the beginning of each quarter for finalized dates and times. Students may ask to be added to the waitlist for a specific group to be contacted by the group facilitator once enrollment is open.
Dissertation Writer's Group (For Graduate Students):
Are you a graduate student wanting a safe and supportive place to discuss issues and challenges regarding the Thesis or Dissertation writing process? Topics discussed include perfectionism, time management, confidence issues and conflicts with peers and professors.
Moving Forward:
This confidential, brief group is for students who would like help examining their current use patterns, setting goals to alter use habits, and taking steps to modify using behaviors.
Breaking Free from Anxiety:
Are you coping with any form of anxiety including chronic worry, social anxiety, obsessive thoughts, health related worry, and panic attacks? This structured skills group uses cognitive-behavioral and acceptance based strategies to be help break the cycle of anxiety.
Compassion for the Inner Critic:
Is your tendency to criticize or judge yourself impacting your academic life and relationships? This group will help you identify your inner critic and learn how to practice self-compassion as an alternative method to self-talk. Further, you will learn to develop mindfulness and self-compassion practices for every day life.
Keep Your Calm:
For students who have completed a previous Anxiety group (Breaking Free from Anxiety, Overcoming Social Anxiety, or Living Free of OCD). Members will continue the process of developing and practicing strategies to challenge emotion driven and avoidance behaviors. Focus will be on continuing emotional exposures and mindfulness practice within group and identifying opportunities to apply these skills outside group.
Living Free From OCD:
Are you struggling with intrusive or obsessive thoughts? Having trouble getting through your day without engaging in rituals or compulsions to help manage your anxiety? This structured skills group will help you learn how to break the cycle of OCD and reclaim your life by reducing compulsive behaviors and rituals.
Overcoming Social Anxiety:
This group helps students overcome anxiety in a variety of social situations, including speaking in groups, initiating and maintaining conversations, meeting new people, going to parties, and being assertive. This structured skills group utilizes cognitive-behavioral and acceptance based approaches to help you become more socially involved.
UndocuScholars Therapy Group:
The UndocuScholars support group welcomes undocumented undergraduate and graduate students who are coping with the unique developmental barriers related to immigration status. Relevant issues to be addressed include: challenges around coming out to others, disproportionate levels of stress related to a financial barriers, immigration status, and underrepresentation on campus, accessing health and social services supportive of undocumented immigrants, and addressing issues related to the uncertain transitioning process once they graduate. Learning Objectives:
Disordered Eating I:
Develop skills for creating a healthier lifestyle, challenging destructive behaviors and enhancing relationships. This group is designed to help members understand the relationships among disordered eating and relationships, weight and shape concerns, situational triggers and personal factors.
Disordered Eating II:
This follow-up group is open to students who are committed to continuing the process of developing healthier eating, exercising, coping and relational skills. Members enhance their skills for creating a healthier lifestyle, challenging destructive behaviors and improving relationships.
Pathways Through Grief:
This group provides opportunities for sharing personal grief experiences while also receiving support from others who have lost a loved one. This group will help you to identify different aspects of your grief experience and develop personal approaches to addressing emotions of grief.
Comfort in the Chaos:
Do you have a close family member or partner who is coping with a severe mental illness? This group is designed to provide specialized support to students who are regularly impacted by the unique challenges of walking alongside loved ones with persistent mental illness. Group members will learn how to more effectively manage stress, communicate with others and problem solve in the context of these relationships.
Grad Students Therapy Group:
Many graduate students have expressed feelings of isolation and loneliness when they devote their energy to securing their future while struggling to balance their lives. The specific focus of the group will be determined by members' needs with an emphasis on the special needs and issues of graduate students.
Managing Emotions:
The goal of this group is to learn how to change behavioral, emotional and thinking patterns in order to decrease misery and build a life worth living. The Interpersonal Effectiveness module teaches students how to improve relationships and effectively assert needs to others.
Relationships Groups (For Graduate and Undergraduate Students):
For students who want to deepen self-understanding and relationship skills. This group will help you search for meaningful interpersonal relationships, find effective ways to connect and communicate with others, and understand what may be preventing you from achieving these goals.
The Social Group:
Do you feel like you just don't understand how other people seem to communicate with each other so easily? This is a supportive and friendly space for social development. Students with Asperger's and similar concerns will find this work especially helpful.
Being in the Moment:
Learn how to reduce your stress, regulate your mood, improve your concentration, and enhance your mental and physical health with this intensive 7 week group that will train you in the ancient practice of mindful awareness. Group sessions will involve training in sitting, walking, and eating meditation and will help you to develop a daily mindfulness practice.
Mind-Body Connection:
For students who are managing chronic pain and/or a chronic physical illness and want to work on improving their physical and emotional well-being. members will obtain support from peers and learn skills designed to minimize the impact of physical and emotional symptoms on their social life and academic functioning.
Anger Management:
Learn how to express anger successfully (without scaring others), make yourself heard (without the headache) and master self-control (without over-heating). Members will learn valuable skills for managing the escalation of anger, for improving communication, and for learning effective self-assertion.
Maintaining Mood:
Recovering From Depression:
Seeking Balance:
Group for Gay Men/Bi and Non-Binary People Psychotherapy Group:
Support and skill-building for gay, bisexual, and non-binary men. This group addresses issues unique to the well-being of gay, bisexual, and non-binary people. Objectives of the group include developing better communication and relationship skills, improving self esteem, increasing social support, and defining a comfortable level of self-community connection.
Gender Identity Spectrum Group:
For students who are exploring and/or identify as transgender, gender fluid, and gender nonconforming in their identity and expression. Issues to be addressed include: challenges coming out to oneself and others, negotiating gendered environments, establishing identity-affirming relationships, coping with minority stress and gender binary norms, accessing health and social services supportive of transgender people, addressing issues related to the transitioning process and adjustment to a new social identity.
Group for Lesbian/Bi and Non-Binary People Group:
Support and skill-building for lesbian, bisexual, and non-binary people. The group will address issues unique to lesbian, bisexual and non-binary people, as well as more general concerns. Objectives of the group include developing better communication and relationship skills, improving self esteem, increasing social support, and defining a comfortable level of self-community connection.
Black and Bruin
A group for "Black Bruins" and any other students interested in promoting a sense of community for those of African descent on the UCLA campus. This also includes student of mixed ethnic background, LGBTQ, first generation, former foster youth, international students, as well as students of varying ability, students of varying faiths, atheist and students from the economically disadvantaged and advantaged backgrounds. The group focuses on building a sense of community, improving self-awareness, and encouraging curiosity and creativity.
Black Graduate Bruins Group: This group is designed for Black graduate students to increase connection, self-empowerment, and advocacy as students academically advance in a professional, multicultural world. Students also gain support exploring racial and ethnic issues as they intersect with their own personal and relationship development.
Confiar Latino Support Group:
Confiar (to trust) is a support group where Latino students can discuss and share issues that are relevant to their educational successes and challenges in the context of their cultural and personal experiences. Topics will include navigating cultural contexts, family relationships, identity, dating, work, stigma, discrimination, and the impact of these issues on their UCLA experience.
Graduate Students of Color:
For incoming and returning graduate students of color. This group is designed to increase connection, self-empowerment, and advocacy as students academically advance in a professional, multicultural world.
International Student Process Group:
Are you feeling lost in a new environment? Struggling to adjust to the US culture? Missing family and friends? Feeling nervous in social interactions? Wanting to enhance your self-confidence and strive for academic success? This is a weekly support group to connect with other international students who share your concerns and to explore ways to enhance your experience at UCLA.
Cognitive Processing Therapy Group:
For women who have experienced sexual assault or abuse, either during childhood or as an adult. This group gives participants new ways to handle distressing thoughts and provides an opportunity to gain an understanding of traumatic events. All students are eligible to participate regardless of SHIP insurance enrollment.
Yoga As Healing (offered through the CARE Program):
10-week series for survivors of sexual assault. Series will not be offered Fall'16. Please submit an interest form if you are interested participating in Winter'17. Visit CARE Yoga as Healing.