Johns Hopkins University Counseling Center |
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Is Group Therapy Right for You?
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Spring,2008GROUP SCHEDULE
The Counseling Center is pleased to offer a variety of groups designed to meet the diverse needs of the
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COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL EATING DISORDER GROUP This is a group for men and women who are struggling with body image concerns. Tools will be given for these individuals to learn to challenge negative beliefs about their bodies, while simultaneously working to develop a positive and accepting stance towards themselves. Group Leader: Jennifer Moran, Psy.D. |
DISSERTATION SUPPORT GROUP
Meet with a group of fellow students grappling with the same issues you are. Get some suggestions, some encouragement, some gentle pressure to keep at it, and a lot of support.
Group Leaders: Barbara Baum, Ph.D. & George Nichols, M.A. Thursdays, 2:30 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. |
| GLBTA (GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDERED, AND ALLIES) SUPPORT/THERAPY GROUP
This is a weekly unstructured process-orientated group for GLBTA students. This group provides students the opportunity to have a safe place to openly discuss issues related to their sexuality, identity development, relationships, isolation, depression, family concerns, and other GLBTA concerns. Group members will be able to help and support one another and produce positive levels of change as they negotiate the development of their sexual identity. Group Leaders: Larry David, Ph.D. and George Nichols, M.A. |
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GRADUATE THERAPY PROCESS GROUP
This is a small, weekly process group for graduate women and men. It will be an unstructured group designed to facilitate personal growth and self-awareness through discussion in a safe, confidential environment. Each week, members are invited to bring concerns that they would like to address. This might include (but is not limited to) themes such as developing more satisfying relationships (romantic, platonic or familial), coping with the demands of academic life, adjusting to life transitions, self-identity, etc. Group Leaders: Garima Lamba, Ph.D. & Maria Marshall, M.A. |
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SUPPORT GROUP
This is a support group for international students who are struggling with changes in cultural values, communication patterns, academic standards and general life style differences. The group will provide our international students a supportive environment to explore their struggles and learn effective coping strategies. Group Leader: Garima Lamba, Ph.D. |
MINDFUL EATING GROUP
This is a group for men and women who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder. Group members will be given strategies to decrease eating disorder behaviors, while also learning how to challenge the beliefs that lead to poor body image. Group members will also be exposed to mindfulness techniques that will help them to develop a positive mind-body connection, as well as to increase awareness of personal patterns that may maintain eating disordered behavior.
Group Leaders: Jennifer Moran, Psy.D. & Hillary Howarth, M.A. Mondays, 8:45 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. |
| SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP
This confidential group is for undergraduates and graduates who have problems related to current/past substance abuse and who want to stop abusive substance use or prevent relapse. The group will help members explore the consequences of their substance use, identify barriers to change, and learn strategies for relapse prevention. This group is also appropriate for students in recovery who want to develop new coping strategies and healthier relationships with others.
Group Leaders: Shelley vonHagen-Jamar, Psy.D. & Hillary Howarth, M.A. Wednesdays, 10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. |
| SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE AND ASSAULT
This group is for women who have experienced sexual abuse or assault - whether it was recently or long ago, whether it was one time or repeatedly, whether it was a stranger or someone you knew. We will discuss the many ways in which sexual abuse can affect you and how to take back control of your life. Group Leader: Barbara Baum, Ph.D. |
UNDERGRAD THERAPY GROUP: CONNECTING ON CAMPUS This is a weekly, unstructured, process-oriented group for undergraduate students. This group provides an opportunity for members to openly discuss the issues that concern them, such as unsatisfactory relationships (family, friendship or romantic), isolation, anxiety, depression, self-esteem and academic pressures. Group members will help each other to better understand their difficulties and will support each other through the process of positive change. Group Leaders: Doug Fogel, Psy.D. & Maria Marshall, M.A. Mondays, 4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.
Group Leaders: Larry David, Ph.D. & George Nichols, M.A. Tuesdays, 4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.
Group Leaders: Matt Torres, Ph.D. & Buggie Harris, M.A. Fridays, 3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. |
Groups and Workshops by RequestThe Counseling Center staff is open to requests for specific workshops or groups. Let us know what you want, and we'll work with you. Call Barbara Baum, Ph.D., at 410-516-8278, or email her at baum@jhu.edu. |
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Group therapy, like individual therapy, is intended to help people who would like to gain support, increase self-awareness, and learn new ways to cope with personal or interpersonal challenges. Group therapy can be especially effective for people interested in exploring their interpersonal style and enhancing their approach to relationships in such areas as trust, intimacy, anger, conflict, assertiveness, taking risks, or improving self-esteem. Some groups are more theme-focused (e.g., Dissertation Support Group) with more of an exclusive emphasis on providing support and strategic problem-solving. The best way to learn about a specific group is to talk with the leader(s) of the group. Who can benefit from group therapy? Group therapy is appropriate for dealing with a variety of interests, problems, or challenges. It is especially effective for people who would like to improve and better understand their interpersonal patterns in relationships, whether these involve difficulties in social, academic, working, romantic, or even sexual relationships. It is also suitable for people who struggle with emotional difficulties such as anxiety or depression. What do I talk about when I am in group therapy? Because unexpressed feelings are a major reason why people experience difficulties in relationships, sharing your feelings in the group affects how much you will be helped by it. Of course, you control what, how much, and when you share information with the group. Members talk about whatever is troubling them or whatever brought them into therapy in the first place. Most people are anxious about beginning to talk in group. However, within a few sessions people typically find that they are able to talk in the group and that they get support from other members as they begin to share. For process groups, the issues discussed each week arise from the members rather than being initiated by the group leader(s). Participants can discuss personal concerns or problems from everyday life; relationships with friends, family members, or significant others; or specific reactions, thoughts, or feelings to events within the group. Essentially, no topic is off limits in the group. In contrast, because theme groups (e.g., Dissertation Support Group) may have a strong didactic and/or problem-solving component, with greater homogeneity concerning member goals (e.g., finishing the dissertation), discussion and/or personal disclosures may be focused more around a specific topic area. How does group therapy work? There are a variety of factors that make group therapy effective, and these factors will be emphasized to differing degrees depending on the group and/or the group leader(s). Again, the best way to learn about a specific group is to talk with the leader(s) of the group. Group therapy works on many levels. First, it provides a confidential space to be open about issues that are troubling you and to gain support. It is not uncommon for people to feel alone with their problems or circumstances. Discovering that other people can relate to your experiences can be very comforting. Group members can offer validation, as well as fresh ideas or viewpoints for looking at a particular situation. Another advantage of group therapy is the opportunity to learn about oneself by listening to others. It can be very helpful when listening to other members to consider how what they are saying might apply to you. You will find that you have many things in common with other members and, as they work through their concerns, you can learn a great deal about yourself. It may also be the case that someone raises an issue that seems to really relate to you, but that you might not have been aware of or brought up yourself. Another reason people join group is to become more aware of patterns in their relationships that are problematic in some way. When people join group they usually begin to recreate the difficulties that brought them to group in the first place. Within the safety of the group, members are able to try out new ways of relating that can then be put into practice in other relationships outside the group. What is expected of the participants? It is very important that group members be able to develop a significant level of trust in each other. It is therefore critical that each member make certain commitments to the group and its members. Depending on the group, such commitments might include agreeing to come for a minimum number of sessions, coming to every group meeting or calling if you have to miss a group, and keeping confidential the identity of the participants and any information brought up in group. As in any relationship, the development of trust, cohesion, and a sense of safety allows people to talk personally and honestly. We hope that this site has provided you with helpful information about group therapy. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to raise them with your Counseling Center counselor, if you have one, or with the group leader(s) of the group in which you are interested.
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