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 2025 Groups
Groups begin the week of February 3, 2025, and run weekly through May 2, 2025, unless otherwise noted.
Arab & Muslim Student Support Group:
This peer 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 various topics, including sociopolitical conflicts, well-being, and issues of acculturation and discrimination. Creating connections, pursuing advocacy, and learning ways to effectively cope will also be addressed.
Date: Tuesdays, every other week, beginning February 4, 2025.
Time: 4:30-5:30PM
Location: via Zoom HIPAA. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by: Rasha Khalaf, 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: Tuesdays, meets every other week, beginning February 11, 2025.
Time: 4:30-5:30PM
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 (virtual)
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
OR
Date: Wednesdays (in-person)
Time: 3:30-4:30PM
Location: 881 Commonwealth Avenue, SHS Lower Level, BM Group Rooms A & B.
Led by: Virginia Milieris, LICSW
Building & Strengthening Relationships:
This interpersonal group is a safe, supportive space for students to explore their emotions, experiences and feelings while connecting with others. In this group, the group leader acts as a moderator who guides the group towards a focus on emotions and relating in the present moment. Interpersonal effectiveness and communication skills will also be taught, when requested. This type of group can help students improve their relationships and connection to others.
Date: Tuesdays, meets every other week, beginning February 4, 2025.
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
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: Wednesdays, meets every other week, beginning February 5, 2025.
Time: 2:30-3:30PM
Location: via Zoom HIPAA. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by: Ilana Licht, PhD
Creative Expressions:
This group invites students to use creativity to practice self-care. With various prompts for guidance, students are encouraged to participate in the process of crafting to help de-stress and connect with yourself and others. No previous crafting/art experience is required. Materials will be provided.
Date: Thursdays, every other week, beginning February 13, 2025.
Time: 1:30-2:30PM
Location: 881 Commonwealth Avenue, SHS Lower Level, BM Group Rooms A & B.
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: 5:15-6:15PM
Location: 755 Commonwealth Avenue, Newbury Center, Suite B04.
Led by: Rashidat Onuorah, LICSW
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: Wednesdays, every other week, beginning February 12, 2025.
Time: 2:30-3:30PM
Location: via Zoom HIPAA. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by: Ilana Licht, PhD
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: Thursdays, meets every other week, beginning February 6, 2025.
Time: 1:30-2:30PM
Location: location will be provided upon registration.
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: 2:30-3:30PM
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
Nourish & Flourish:
This group is a safe, supportive space for students to share their experiences, seek support from peers, and work to overcome the challenges that come along with eating disorder recovery and body image issues. Through education, mindfulness, and conversation, students will learn to honor their body and improve their relationships with food and exercise.
Date: Tuesdays, meets every other week, beginning February 11, 2025.
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
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: 4:30-5:30PM
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: Mondays
Time: 4:00-5:00PM
Location: 881 Commonwealth Avenue, SHS Lower Level, BM Group Rooms A & B.
Led by: Cong Zhang, 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, starting February 12th
Time: 5:00-6:00PM
Location: location will be provided upon registration.
Understanding Self and Others:
This interpersonal process group provides a safe space to gain insight into who you are and your relationship patterns. Members are encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings about what others say and do in the group. Students will receive support and have the opportunity to obtain feedback about how others perceive them. Exploring yourself and your relationship patterns can help you form more meaningful, fulfilling relationships in your life outside of the group. This group requires a weekly, semester long commitment and a pre-screening appointment to determine whether the group is a good fit for you.
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.