Psychoeducational & support groups for WKU students

Psychoeducational & Support Groups for WKU Students

Please share the following information about the psychoeducational & support groups (coordinated by the Counseling Center team, for WKU students) offered this Spring 2024

Psychoeducation & Support Groups OFFERED THIS SPRING, INCLUDE:

 

• What is a Man? Courageous Conversations
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
• K2TOG (Knit together)
• Psychological Skills for Helping Self, Relationships, & Communication
• Sexual Assault Survivor Support group (BY REFERRAL ONLY)
• LGBTQ+Support Group

 

What is a Man? Courageous Conversations

"Toughen up". "Don't be a sissy". "Be a man". From a young age, men have been told showing (even having) feelings makes you weak. To be a man is to hide the most vulnerable, genuine parts of you. Unfortunately, this can lead to men living in isolation, unable to understand or identify their own experiences, and unable to connect with others. In these sessions, we'll dismantle male stereotypes and typical behaviors that are harmful to oneself and others. We'll explore how societal expectations have had an impact on their understanding of "manhood" and "masculinity". We'll learn how to express thoughts and feelings and practice making deeper, more meaningful connections. These sessions are appropriate for anyone who identifies as male and is seeking to grow courageously. 

Hosted by Dane Adkins (Licensed Psychological Associate).

• Thursdays January 25, February, 8, & 22^nd, March 7^th & 28^th, April 11^th, & 25
• 3:00pm-4:30pm
• Counseling Center – conf. room (409 Potter Hall)

 

An Introduction to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
(4 Session Group Program)

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Feb 13, 20, 27 & March 5

This is a shortened version of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program for college students. MBSR is an evidence-based group program for adults to cultivate mindfulness and develop mindfulness-based skills to cope with various life stressors effectively for a wide range of physical and mental health benefits.

We will meet via Zoom for 4 sessions to deepen our understanding of mindfulness, practice mindfulness- based skills and meditation together, and support one another in building our “mindfulness muscle” (in our brains!) by daily practice for a month.

Attendance to all 4 sessions, some readings from the textbook (Wherever You Go There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation In Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn, about 1 hour weekly), and practice of mindfulness-based skills/meditation at home (at least 10 minutes daily) are strongly encouraged to receive the full benefits of this program, such as reduced stress reactions, lowered blood pressure and heart rate, enhanced attention and concentration, management of anxiety, prevention of recurrent depression, and improvement of eating habits.

*No need to purchase the book unless you want to own your personal copy (about $10 in online bookstores). Reading assignments will be accessible via WKU Blackboard to registered participants prior to each session. The electronic version of this book is also accessible via WKU Library.

More details coming soon!

If you have any questions, email Masami Matsuyuki, Ph.D. (WKU Counseling Center) at masami.matsuyuki@wku.edu.

Click the link to register with your WKU email address by 4:30 on Friday 9:

https://wku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrduygrD4oE9Y3Caxc3TRwQ1m0yI9sFqR5

 

K2TOG (Knit together)

Join Mariya Fye (LCSW) for an inaugural knitting session for socialization and stress relief. Please bring your own current project and supplies. No experience needed. The group may continue based on interest.

• Friday, March 1st @ 12 Noon – 1:00pm (CST)
• Counseling Center – Potter Hall, room 409

 

 

Psychological Skills for Helping Self, Relationships, & Communication

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, March 26, April 2, 9, 16 & 23

(5-Session Group Program)
Session 1: Introduction & Dialectics (3/26)
Session 2: Mindfulness (4/2)
Session 3: Emotion Regulation (4/9)
Session 4: Distress Tolerance (4/16)
Session 5: Interpersonal Effectiveness (4/23)

This program is an adapted version of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Training for college students who are interested in improving their intrapersonal, interpersonal, and communication skills.

Although DBT is known as an evidence-based treatment for various mental disorders, this program is designed to be a psychoeducational workshop for self-help, not a group therapy for treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about whether or not this program is appropriate for your needs and interests, please contact Masami Matsuyuki, Ph.D. (masami.matsuyuki@wku.edu) at WKU Counseling Center before you register.

Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all 5 sessions and practice newly learned skills between sessions in order to receive the full benefits of this program. Sessions 1 and 2 cover the foundational contents and skills for this program. Each session covers different contents and skills relevant to the topic of the session, and what participants learn in one session will be built upon what they learn in the preceding session(s).

Click the link below to register with your WKU email address by 4:30 on Friday, March 22: https://wku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpdO-trjMjHdNC8i22LmHWbJJBFEh2mRMF

If you have any questions, email Masami Matsuyuki, Ph.D. (WKU Counseling Center) at masami.matsuyuki@wku.edu.

 

Sexual Assault Services Support group

Hosted, via Zoom, more information coming soon!

The purpose of the SASS group is to provide a supportive and safe space for members who have been victims and survivors of sexual assault.  This trauma can be at any point in their life.  The group will allow students share their own stories as they become comfortable, depending upon their healing process, and learn from other members to reinforce that they are not alone. 

This group is “BY REFERRAL ONLY”; therefore, please email Elizabeth Madariaga, WKU Counseling Center Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor & Sexual Assault Services Coordinator, at: elizabeth.madariaga@wku.edu if you believe a student would benefit and is interested in attending. Please make sure the student is aware that you are referring them BEFORE making a referral for the student.  You may also share Elizabeth’s contact information with the student and they can refer themselves and/or find out additional information. 

*To safeguard privacy, observers, screenshots, video and audio recordings are not permitted in this support group.

 

LGBTQ+ Support Group

Visit the WKU Pride Center for more information and a listing of helpful links. Graves Gilbert Clinic LGBTQ general care needs information.

 

Below is a brief description of each opportunity, with dates, times, locations, and registration links; however, please look at the flyers attached for more information. Please share widely with students whom you think may be interested in any of our offerings.

Thank you,

The Counseling Center Team

 

 

To safeguard privacy, observers, screenshots, video and audio recordings are not permitted in this support group

 

Updated: 1/10/24 @ 11:28 am