Why Group Therapy?
Groups can be especially helpful, and often the treatment of choice for people who have concerns about their relationships, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, interpersonal problems, and eating disorders.
Group therapy is especially effective in helping students become more confident, comfortable, and skilled in communicating with others. In contrast to individual therapy, it also allows for the opportunity to receive and provide support and feedback to other group members.

The groups offered by our staff vary by semester; however, please contact a member of our staff at 402-472-7450 for more information, if you have an interest in any of the groups listed or if have suggestions for a group in the future.


Educational Groups

Personal Effectiveness Group

Personal Effectiveness Training (PET) uses a group format to build and/or improve the communication skills of its members. Group members are provided with the opportunity to develop and practice these practical behaviors in a safe, fun, and confidential environment. Group members will use role plays, feedback, and homework. Group sessions are an hour long and are held weekly for 8 weeks. Contact Gail Lockard or Casey Tallent at 402-472-7450 for information about the group.


Thesis/Dissertation Support Group
Topics to be discussed may include, but are not limited to:
  • Getting organized
  • Developing a time-line for getting things done.
  • Developing strategies to work more effectively with your advisor and committee members.
  • Dealing with writer’s block.
  • Identifying obstacles and working to overcome them.
  • Giving and receiving support from graduate peers.
  • Identifying resources on campus to help with data analysis and writing.


Discussion and Support Groups

Sister Circle

Sister Circle is a support group for women of color. Many of the members are African American, but we are welcoming to all women! The focus of work of the group is to deal with issues faced by women of color at a predominantly white institution. Topics discussed include issues of acculturation, academic success, romantic relationships, and forming supportive friendships. Sister Circle meets on Fridays from 12:00 – 1:00pm at the Women’s Center, Nebraska Union room 338. Contact Charlie Foster at 402-472-7450 for more information.


International Students in the USA

Drop-in Discussion Group: International Students in the USA: An opportunity to have conversation and hear how other international students experience life in the U.S. It is a chance to meet people, learn strategies, and gain knowledge of living in a new country. It also provides an opportunity to practice English in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Mondays 3:00 – 4:30 at International Affairs building, Room 10 starting September 24th.



Process Therapy Groups

Graduate Women's Therapy Group

The Graduate Women's Therapy Group offers a safe and confidential space for women to openly share their thoughts and concerns in a setting that offers both support and feedback. Group tends to focus on relationships, issues of intimacy, boundaries, self-awareness; however, topic areas are not set or limited to these. In this group, women also address feelings of depression and anxiety and other personal and academic concerns that are currently impacting their well-being, relationship, and/or their success in graduate school. In you are a female graduate student needing support, please consider joining this group. Contact Tricia Besett-Alesch at 402-472-7450 for an initial meeting.


Interpersonal Process Group

One of the most distinctive aspects of human beings is that we are social. We are each affected by the presence of other people, we form relationships with other people, we join groups with other people, and we behave in certain ways towards members of our own and other groups. However, we rarely have the opportunity to give and receive honest and constructive feedback on these patterns of relating.

This interpersonal process group is therefore designed for those with all manner of struggles in interpersonal relationships. This may include individuals who have difficulty dating, troubles with family or friend relationships, or find themselves at odds with others in school, workplace or other important areas. The group will be offered on a weekly basis with the expectation that group members will participate regularly and, at a minimum, for the entire semester. The group will be closed (i.e., no one will be admitted after the beginning of the group, unless one of the initial participants drops out). The group will offer its members the opportunity to give and receive feedback across the gender divide and, ideally, across other cultural divides as well. Members will be expected to address their own and others’ issues in an open and honest, yet respectful manner, with a particular focus on patterns of interpersonal difficulties. The group leaders will work to establish a positive group culture that emphasizes confidentiality, caring, and respect. Additionally, the leaders will encourage active participation by all group members in the therapeutic process, so that all can benefit from the group interaction. Contact Bob Portnoy or Belinda Hinojos at 402-472-7450.