Behavioral Medicine offers a variety of groups to support your mental health and wellbeing. Participating in one or more of the Behavioral Medicine groups can help improve your connection to others and gain effective coping skills.
How to join a group
To join a group or obtain more information please send a message via Patient Connect to “Groups”. In the message, please include the name of the group(s) you are interested in joining. Alternatively, for additional information, you are welcome to call our office at 617-353-3569 and ask to speak with the Group Coordinator. If you are currently meeting with one of our Behavioral Medicine clinicians, you can also ask them about the Groups program.
Learn more about group therapy.
Spring 2024 Groups
Groups begin the week of January 29, 2024, and run weekly through May 3, 2024, unless otherwise noted.
Arab & Muslim Student Support Group:
This support group is a safe space for students identifying as Arab, Arab-American, Biracial, and Muslim to discuss their experiences related to their ethnic, racial, cultural and religious identities. Participants are welcome to discuss a variety of topics, including, but not limited to, sociopolitical conflicts, emotional well-being, and issues of acculturation and discrimination. Creating connection, pursuing advocacy and learning ways to effectively cope will also be addressed.
Date: Fridays
Time: 3:00-4:00PM
Location: via Zoom HIPAA. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by: Rasha Khalaf, PsyD
Asian Students Support Group:
This support group is designed to create a safe space for students identifying as Asian, Asian American, Biracial and/or Pacific Islander to discuss their experiences related to their ethnic and racial identities. Topics may include ways to de-stigmatize mental health, identity, anti-Asian hate crimes, and validation of each other’s experiences. Mindfulness skills will be incorporated to help cope with and manage daily stressors and emotions.
Date: Thursdays, meets every other week beginning February 1, 2024.
Time: 12:00-1:00PM
Location: 881 Commonwealth Avenue, SHS Lower Level, BM Group Rooms A & B.
Led by: Aileen Lee, PsyD
Black Students Support Group:
This support group is a safe space for Black identifying students to speak openly, check-in with each other, and share their own experiences about how they are impacted by the events in their communities and the world. In addition, participants will learn skills to help them feel more empowered and confident in managing stressors, pursuing effective advocacy and participating in student leadership.
Date: Mondays, meets every other week beginning January 29, 2024
Time: 4:00-5:00PM
Location: via Zoom HIPAA. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by: Toni Monfort, LMHC
Building a Stronger You:
This group is for students who want to develop more effective ways of coping with painful and strong feelings. Participants will learn and practice dialectical behavioral therapy skills related to mindfulness, distress tolerance and emotion regulation. While students are welcome to discuss relevant personal life experiences and concerns, this group functions similarly to a class format in which the group leader teaches skills and then group members brainstorm ways to practice them and share their experiences of using the skills. Students are encouraged to practice these skills and apply them between group sessions.
Date: Tuesdays
Time: 3:30-4:30PM
Location: via Zoom HIPAA. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by: Ilana Licht, PhD
Chronic Conditions Support Group:
This group is a safe, confidential, inviting space for students with chronic medical conditions and disabilities to connect, learn from each other and share strategies for navigating university life. The medical condition may be visible/invisible and students at any stage of their illness/condition (i.e. trying to determine a diagnosis, newly diagnosed, in an active flare-up, in remission, etc.) are welcome to attend. Possible topics may include, but are not limited to, processing isolation, ableism, view of yourself in relation to the condition, grief, relationships with others and available supports/resources.
Date: Tuesdays, meets every other week beginning February 6th, 2024
Time: 5:00-6:00PM
Location: via Zoom HIPAA. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by: Ilana Licht, PhD
First Generation Students Support Group:
This group offers a safe and supportive space for students who identify as first generation in their families to attend college/graduate school. Topics discussed may include navigating unfamiliar situations, balancing academics with social life, managing responsibilities and finances, and processing feelings, such as excitement, guilt, shame, confusion and pride. The group emphasizes building community and sharing resources.
Date: Wednesdays
Time: 5:00-6:00PM
Location: 755 Commonwealth Avenue, Newbury Center, Suite B18.
Led by: Rashidat Onuorah, LCSW
Graduate Students Support Group:
Graduate students often struggle to have a space where they can authentically share their feelings and concerns about life as a graduate student. This support group is designed to provide a confidential place where you can receive support and feedback from your peers. Topics discussed in this group may include adjusting to and leaving graduate school, academic and career concerns, coping with stress, relationships and identity development.
Date: Fridays, ongoing
Time: 3:00-4:00PM
Location: via Zoom HIPAA. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by: Ilana Licht, PhD
Grief Group:
This group is designed for students who have experienced the death of a loved one. Members are invited to share their experiences of grief in this safe space. In doing so, students will have the opportunity to obtain support from other students who have experienced similar losses, process their feelings in community, and create a sense of hope for the future.
Date: Fridays
Time: 2:00-3:00PM
Location: via Zoom HIPAA. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by: Nate Pardue, LICSW
LGBTQ+ Support Group:
This support group provides a safe space to explore and discuss the joys and challenges of being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning. This confidential and affirming group is an opportunity to connect with each other and offer emotional support. Members may explore themes, such as relationships with family, friends, and partners, coming out, being out, identity, and ways to embrace all parts of your identity.
Date: Tuesdays, meets every other week beginning January 30, 2024
Time: 5:00-6:00PM
Location: via Zoom HIPAA. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by: Ilana Licht, PhD
Managing Anxiety:
Do anxious thoughts and feelings dominate your daily experiences? Do you lie awake at night worrying about tasks you need to complete? Do you avoid social situations for fear of judgment? This skills-based group is designed for students who want to learn techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy strategies, to help reduce anxiety. Group members can share their experiences, discuss assignments, and offer support to each other as they work towards making changes and learning to effectively manage their anxiety. Students are encouraged to practice these skills and apply them between group sessions.
Date: Mondays
Time: 3:00-4:00PM
Location: via Zoom HIPAA. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by: Ilana Licht, PhD
Mindfulness Meditation:
This group, specifically designed for emerging adults, is based on the mindfulness program, “Koru,” loved by Duke University students. Practicing mindfulness helps reduce stress, increase mental and physical wellness, and improve your ability to make decisions guided by your inner wisdom. Group members are encouraged to share experiences, discuss assignments, and offer support to each other as they learn to integrate and practice mindfulness skills in their lives.
Date: Mondays
Time: 5:00-6:00PM
Location: 881 Commonwealth Avenue, SHS Lower Level, BM Group Rooms A & B.
Led by: Aileen Lee, PsyD
OCD Support Group:
This group is for students struggling with OCD, obsessions and/or compulsions. The group focuses on providing psychoeducation, building skills and creating a safe space for students to share strategies in navigating college and life with OCD-related challenges. Topics covered will include ways to manage intrusive thoughts, an introduction to Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and ways to address body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), such as skin-picking and hair-pulling. Students are encouraged to practice the skills and apply them between group sessions.
Date: Thursdays
Time: 4:00-5:00PM
Location: 881 Commonwealth Avenue, SHS Lower Level, BM Group Rooms A & B.
Led by: Anna Been, LMHC
Sharpen Your Focus:
Do you struggle with concentration issues? Maintaining focus with so many distractions as a student can be challenging. This skills-based group is designed for undergraduate and graduate students who want to learn strategies and address behaviors to improve attention, productivity, organization, time management and self-care. All students, regardless of having been diagnosed with an attentional disorder, are welcome to attend. Students are encouraged to practice and apply these skills between group sessions.
Date: Wednesdays
Time: 3:30-4:30PM
Location: via Zoom HIPAA. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by: Ilana Licht, PhD
TRANScendence:
This safe, supportive group is for students who identify as trans, nonbinary, gender expansive/nonconforming and/or gender questioning. Topics discussed will likely include body image, relationships, identity, social media, and other themes of interest. The group will also focus on becoming more empowered, improving self-care, and identifying ways to build safe and affirming communities.
Date: Wednesdays
Time: 5:00-6:00PM
Location: 881 Commonwealth Avenue, SHS Lower Level, BM Group Rooms A & B.
Led by: Finn Lopez, MA
Understanding Self and Others:
This interpersonal process group provides a safe, confidential space to gain insight into who you are and your relationship patterns. How we think and feel about ourselves, others, and the world around us is often informed by the narrative from our past, families, relationships, society, and culture. By sharing our stories and through giving and receiving honest support and feedback, group members have the opportunity to shift the parts of their narrative that no longer serve them and to practice new, healthier ways of connecting to each other. Exploring yourself and your relationship patterns can help you form more meaningful, fulfilling relationships in your life. This group requires a weekly, semester long commitment and a pre-screening appointment to determine whether the group is a good fit for you. This is a closed group, which means that once it is established, new group members will not be able to join until the next group cycle.
Date: Thursdays
Time: 3:00-4:00PM
Location: 881 Commonwealth Avenue, SHS Lower Level, BM Group Rooms A & B.
Led by: Ilana Licht, PhD
*Support Group offerings are typically created in response to student demand and interest.