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.
Fall 2023 Groups
Groups begin the week of September 18, 2023 and run weekly through December 12, 2023, unless otherwise noted.
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 the daily stressors and emotions.
Date: Fridays, meets every other week beginning Sept 22nd, 2023.
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: Aileen Lee, PsyD
Black Students Support Group:
This 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
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
Body & Self:
This group provides a space for students to explore ways to improve their relationship with food, their body and themselves. Members will discuss how issues related to self-esteem, emotions, relationships, and managing stress connect to and impact our relationships with food. Connecting with others in the group can be a powerful part of change and healing. With a deeper understanding of your struggles with food and your bodies, you can challenge old ideas and develop new ways of coping.
Date: Wednesdays, meets every other week beginning Sept 20th, 2023
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
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 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 exchanging resources.
Date: Tuesdays, meets every other week beginning Sept 26th, 2023
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. 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 supports and sharing resources.
Date: Wednesdays*
Time: 5:00-6:00PM
Location: 755 Commonwealth Avenue, Newbury Center, Suite B18.
*Please note that the last Wednesday of the month will be a virtual group via Zoom HIPAA. Directions to access the group will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by: Rashidat Agboola, 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 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 doing so, students will have the opportunity to be supported by other students who have experienced similar losses.
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
International Students Support Group:
Are you struggling to adjust to life in the US? Are you feeling lost in a new environment? Do you miss your family and friends from home? This safe, confidential, support group aims to help international students better understand the cultural adjustment process and share a sense of community and resources to enhance your experiences at BU.
Date: Fridays, meets every other week beginning Sept 29th, 2023.
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: Aileen Lee, PsyD
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 Sept 19th, 2023
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 share their experiences, discuss assignments, and offer support to each other as they work toward 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
My Identities, Our Strength:
Our identities and our relationships to our identities can greatly impact how we see ourselves and how we feel in the world. This safe, supportive group is an opportunity to explore your multiple identities, life roles and relational experiences. In addition, discussion topics will include the impact of minority stress, positive and negative/traumatic events on students’ experiences. Students will learn how to utilize a minority strength perspective and various self-care strategies to find strength and resilience in their various identities.
Date: Wednesdays, meets every other week beginning Sept 27th, 2023
Time: 2:30-3:30PM
Location: 881 Commonwealth Avenue, SHS Lower Level, BM Group Rooms A & B.
Led by: Cong Zhang, PhD
OCD Support Group:
This group is for students struggling with OCD, obsessions and/or compulsions. The group will focus 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 of discussion 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 these skills and apply them between group sessions.
Date/Time: Students will be registered for both sections and can decide which session they would like to attend each week.
Mondays 2:00-3:00PM, every other week beginning Sept 18th, 2023.
OR
Thursdays 4:00-5:00PM, every other week beginning Sept 28th, 2023.
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. This group is open to all students regardless of having been diagnosed with an attentional disorder. Students are encouraged to practice and apply these skills between group sessions.
Date: Thursdays
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: Cong Zhang, PhD
Sleep Solutions:
Do you struggle to fall asleep at night? Do you wake up feeling unrested? This group is a supportive place to discuss your sleep struggles and learn effective, research-based strategies to help you obtain better sleep and consequently improve your well-being. Students are encouraged to practice these skills between group sessions.
Date: Wednesdays, every other week beginning on Sept 27th, 2023
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, beginning Oct 18, 2023
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
Summer 2023 Groups
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. Meeting details will be sent via Patient Connect the night before.
Led by: Ilana Licht, PhD