Group Therapy is an opportunity for students to meet other students and share problems, concerns, issues and goals. Some of the groups have an educational model, where theories of life management are presented and discussed and skills are taught to help students cope with stress and feel more positive and confident about themselves. Other groups are more open-ended and group members explore themes that emerge in group.
In all groups members give and take feedback. Group Therapy is an opportunity to try out new attitudes, perceptions, new ways of behaving, and to learn new insights about the way we interact with others. Groups can be powerful experiences that lead to positive change. Groups are facilitated by one or two therapists. There are usually 6-8 members. Most groups require a pre group screening with one of the leaders. Some groups are ongoing and others meet for the semester. Ongoing groups have a rolling admission. Many groups are offered both fall and spring semesters.
Typical issues that are helped by Group Therapy
- Relationship Issues.
-Forming friendships, roommate issues
-Dating, romantic relationships
-Family issues, work issues
- Shyness
- Loneliness
- Problems Regulating Emotions
-Anxiety
-Depression
-Anger Management
-Substance abuse
-Eating Disorders
- Issues around diversity, class, race, gender issues
- Grief around death or serious illness in a loved one
Group Therapy can help people change and reach personal goals, but it also alleviates feelings of alienation and aloneness. It is one resource available to students seeking more of a sense of community at Harvard.
Please feel free to email the Group Leaders with any questions regarding their groups, or program. Contact Joyce Marenghi, LICSW, Group Therapy Coordinator
Referral Information
- Self referral—If you are interested in a specific group, you may either call 617-495-2042 to speak with the group leader or you may book a half-hour session with the leader to discuss the group and your interest in it.
- Clinicians, Tutors, Proctors, etc., who may want to refer to a group may call the leader directly for information or, if uncertain which group may be appropriate, may call Joyce Marenghi, Coordinator of Group Therapy Program, to discuss options. Call 617-495-2042 or e-mail jmareng@uhs.harvard.edu
MONDAYS
LGBTQI THERAPY/ SUPPORT GROUP 4:00 - 5:30 PM
6/2/08-8/18/08
Gregory Jones, Psy.D. (gjones@uhs.harvard.edu)
Chandana Kanithi, PhD (ckanithi@uhs.harvard.edu)
Meets in the MHS Conference Room, 4th Floor, HUHS
This group is intended for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer/questioning and intersexed students to provide support and a confidential/safe place to process concerns about coming out and relationships. Concerns around sexuality and gender identity, being LGBTQI on campus and any other concerns relevant to the LGBTQI community.
TUESDAYS
YOUNG ADULT GROUP 4:30 -6:00 PM
6/10/08-8/26/08
Theresa Cohen, LICSW (tcohen@uhs.harvard.edu)
Meets in the Mental Health Conference Room, 4th Floor , HUHS
This is a psychodynamic process group for graduate students and post docs who are motivated to explore and improve how they relate to other people. This is a co-ed group that runs yearlong. This group offers opportunities for members to share feelings and experiences with others, to explore the ways they relate to others, and to work on understanding and expanding relational skills.
WEDNESDAYS
LIFE RAFT 12:15 – 1:45 PM
Ongoing
Barbara Gilmore (bgilmore@uhs.harvard.edu)
Meets on ground floor, Memorial Church, United Ministries Conference Room
Ongoing, drop-in support group where people can talk about their own or others’ life-threatening illness or about their grief and bereavement. Open to anyone connected with the Harvard/Radcliff Community, students, faculty, staff, retirees and families. Free and confidential. Come for 10 minutes or 2 hours.
SISYPHUS AND THE GRADUATE STONE 3:30 -5:00 PM
6/11/08 -8/27/08
Ellen Haley, LICSW (ehaley@uhs.harvard.edu)
Meets in the Wacker Room, 4th Floor, HUHS
Do you feel overwhelmed and fatigued much of the time? Not having the motivation to “push the stone up the hill again”? Are deadlines looming? Do you avoid social events? Procrastinate? This 90 minute group meets weekly and uses Cognitive Behavior Therapy and supportive listening. Call 617-495-2042 to set up a screening appointment .
EATING CONCERNS GROUP 4:30 - 6:00 PM
6/11/08-7/30/08
Richard Kadison, M.D. (rkadison@uhs.harvard.edu)
Mary D’Alessandro, MSW (mdalessandro@uhs.harvrd.edu)
Meets in the Mental Health Conference Room, 4th Floor, HUHS
A group for those with body image and eating concerns; including anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating. Focus is on understanding how self image, relationships, mood impact eating patterns and behaviors as well as work on symptom management.
THURSDAYS
CONNECTIONS 2:30 - 4:00 PM
TBA
Maureen Rezendes, Ph.D. (mrezend@uhs.harvard.edu)
Chandana Kanithi, Psy.D (ckanithi@uhs.harvard.edu)
Meets in the Mental Health Conference Room, 4th Floor , HUHS
Weekly, ongoing interpersonal group to help graduate and professional school women and men maximize their potential for personal and professional growth.
DBT 4:00 – 5:00 PM
6/26/08-7/31/08
Amy Takesian, Psy.D. (Atakesian@uhs.harvard.edu)
Meets in the MHS Conference Room, 4th Floor, HUHS
Skills-building group based on a cognitive model to help adults who have a history of emotional aspirations.
FRIDAYS
BIOFEEDBACK ORIENTATION 10:00 AM-12:00 PM One Time Only
6/13/08
Ellen Haley (ehaley@uhs.harvard.edu)
Meets in the Monks Library, 2nd Floor, HUHS
An orientation to gain a better understanding of the origins of stress and chronic psychosomatic symptoms. The presentation explains the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques to dissipate symptoms and gain better control of one’s environment. Questionnaires and monitoring schedules will be used to help define the individual’s personal stress profile. Attendance is a prerequisite to individual cognitive behavioral biofeedback treatment. The orientation can be used as a workshop as well.
PARENT & INFANT GROUP (Drop-In) 11:00 -12:00 PM
6/6/08-8/15/08
1st & 3rd Friday
Maureen Rezendes, Ph.D (mrezend@uhs.harvard.edu)
Meets in the Mental Health Conference Room, 4th Floor , HUHS
Twice a month Drop-in support group for parents of infants less than 12 months to discuss the joys of being a parent. Meets first and third Friday of the month.