Group counseling is one of the most effective tools for addressing issues common among college students. For many students, group counseling can be as effective or more effective than individual counseling. Learn more about the documented benefits of group counseling.

Our support groups and group therapy offer a safe environment to discuss problems with others who are dealing with similar concerns. Most students report that they find the group experience to be helpful far beyond their expectations. 

About CAPS groups

• Most groups are being offered by secure Zoom platform, accessed by logging in to myCornellHealth.
• Group counseling is available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in Ithaca.
• Each group is led by one or more professional counselors.
• Groups usually meet weekly for a 90-minute session.
• Participation is FREE for registered Cornell students.
• Groups are private and confidential; all members must agree that what is disclosed in sessions cannot be shared outside of the group.

See the Summer 2023 group offerings below

How to join (or learn more about) a group 

Most groups require potential members to have a brief group orientation with the group leader(s) to see if the group is the right one for you. (Group descriptions below indicate whether an orientation is required.)

Here's how to schedule a group orientation, or to learn more about a group you're interested in:

• If you’re already seeing a counselor at Cornell Health, you may ask them about joining a group.
• You can schedule a "group counseling orientation" directly by calling us at 607-255-5155, or by logging in to myCornellHealth and selecting Appointments > Mental Health appointment > Group counseling orientation.
• You can schedule an "Access" appointment if you want to learn about group counseling as well as other options for mental health support at Cornell Health. 

Summer 2023 groups

Graduate Substance Use Strategies & Support: Find What Works For You 

• Fridays, 10:00 am – 11:30 am, via Zoom, beginning June 9, ending July 28
• Open to graduate / professional students
• Weekly semester group, orientation required, open enrollment 
• Facilitators: Jacob Parker Carver, LMSW and David "Alec" Wierzbicki, PsyD

So maybe you smoke, maybe you drink, and maybe you do other drugs... but you're noticing some drawbacks. Some people might benefit from reducing their use, some might want to stop altogether, and others might just be more intentional about how and when they use. Let's talk about it and find what works for you. 

This group will provide a safe and empowering place to talk about substance use, notice patterns, and identify individual goals. Discussion will revolve around values and motivations, exploring behaviors that support the life you want to have and the person you want to be. Most of the content will be based on ideas and questions from those in attendance, each session will include a theme to anchor group discussion with space for reviewing important topics and developing practical skills. Participants are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect, encouraged to search for the wisdom in each other’s experiences. [How to join]

Graduate Women's Process Group

• Thursdays, 2:00 – 3:30 pm, beginning June 1, ending July 13, in person at Cornell Health
• Open to self-identifying graduate women
• Weekly semester group – no drop-ins; group orientation required
• Facilitators: April Campanelli, LMSW and Eve Abrams, LCSW

The Graduate Women's group is a weekly process group that will provide a safe space for women pursuing graduate degrees to share and explore challenges, stressors, and successes in managing life as it is. This group is an opportunity to explore varying topics such as imposter syndrome, symptoms of anxiety and depression, managing intersectional identities in the workspace, questioning gender and sexuality, navigating work environments, family dynamics, dating and relationships, feeling far from home, finding strategies for stress management. Group members are invited to bring forward additional areas of concern. This group serves as a safe and confidential space to receive multiple perspectives, feedback, and support from other graduate women and the group facilitators. [How to join]

Summer International Student Drop-in Group 

• Thursdays, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, June 15 – July 13, in person at Willard Straight Hall, room 413
• Open to undergraduate and graduate / professional students 
• Drop-in welcome, or attend all sessions (no orientation required)
• Facilitator: Theo Bizimana, LMHC

This group offers connection, support, and information about Cornell Health resources. Please feel welcome to bring your lunch or to stop by for cookies. Therapist Theo Bizimana, LMHC from Cornell health, an international person himself, will facilitate conversation as well as share about how to access the many mental health and medical resources at Cornell Health. Any and all questions welcome during this hour-long group. No orientation required to attend and no commitment to attending each week. Please drop by as you can within the 12-1pm hour! 

What You Resist Persists: a Group for Those with OCD

• Thursdays, 2:00 – 3:30 pm, via Zoom, beginning June 1st, ending July 6th
• Open to undergraduate and graduate / professional students 
• Weekly semester group – no drop-ins; group orientation required
• Facilitators: Alex Julian, PhD and Cory Myler, PhD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be an isolating and persistent mental health condition. Often our perceptions of OCD are based on stigmatized representations in media, which are rarely accurate (although Monk is quite entertaining). This group will provide members with education on the sources and perpetuating factors of OCD as well as strategies to manage and confront unwanted thoughts. Group will be interactive and collaborative, with leaders and members providing support to each other in the difficult process of reducing the control of OCD. [How to join]