Counseling Center Expands Group and Workshop Services

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 21, 2014) — The University of Kentucky Counseling Center, a department of the Division of Student Affairs, has expanded and renamed its group programs to better reflect their purpose.

Understanding Self and Others (USO) groups, for example, help students feel more confident and accepting of themselves, leading to more successful relationships.

“We all interact with people at times in ways that don’t help us get our needs met,” said Tina Bryant, senior staff psychologist for the UK Counseling Center. “Some students may feel that they are consistently blocked, confused or ineffective in their interactions with others, but may not know why. USO groups are designed to help students learn more about themselves and how they interact with others, then try new behaviors that may be more successful.”

Several other groups focus on reducing anxiety and stress, two of the major concerns that bring students to the Counseling Center. These groups ‒ Anxiety ACTion (based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Mindfulness, Social Confidence and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ‒ help students learn skills to reduce and manage their symptoms of anxiety and depression. Other popular groups include the Graduate Student Support Group, which has grown to two meeting times, and the Cultural Coffee Hour, which has been attracting 20-30 students each week. The center has created a new group called Decide Your Future dedicated to helping students choose a major and career that fit with their interests, skills and abilities.

“In an effort to emphasize mental wellness, de-stigmatize counseling services, and make it easier for students to utilize our services, we have also developed several drop-in workshops,” said Bryant. Students don’t need an appointment for these drop-in workshops.

Several popular drop-in workshops ‒ Healthy Dating, Major/Career Decision Making, Test Anxiety and Yoga ‒ have returned by popular demand, while a new workshop, Wildcat Wellness, is offered as a way to help students manage stress.

Wildcat Wellness meets at 4 p.m. in 203 Frazee Hall. It is a one-hour workshop with rotating topics:

·       Monday: Expressions: Creative Stress Relief

·       Tuesday: Meditation

·       Wednesday: Relaxation

·       Thursday: Stress Management

Students do not need any experience or knowledge about any of the groups or workshops to participate. For schedules for each support group and workshop, visit http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Counseling/group.html

MEDIA CONTACT: Gail Hairston, 859-257-3302, gail.hairston@uky.edu