Counseling Services offers a variety of counseling, support, and educational groups each semester. Participants benefit from the mutual support and learning that occurs from interaction with others who have similar concerns.
Unless otherwise noted, all groups will require a pre-group meeting. For more information, or to schedule your pre-group consultation, please schedule an appointment and and state your interest in group counseling on the form.
If you have questions, email the group facilitator or caps@msu.edu.
Programs that are full for the current semester may be available the following semester.
CAPS is committed to providing clinical and supportive group services that are responsive to the needs of our students. If you are interested in a group that you do not see below, please email the CAPS group coordinator, Dr. Ciera Lewis, at lewisci1@msu.edu.
Learn more about all of our groups by exploring each of the group types below. Each group is designed to support participants in specific ways. Therapy, support, and educational groups are safe spaces for MSU students to connect with one another and learn more about themselves, skills for improving mental health, and ways to improve interpersonal relationships. Consistent attendance is encouraged for all CAPS groups.
Participation in CAPS programs is not restricted based on sex or race. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
This is a weekly supportive space where graduate students can gather and empower one another through shared experiences. Themes in this group include exploring stressors related to graduate studies, purpose, sense of belonging, “creative differences” with your advisor, juggling multiple roles and responsibilities, time management, challenges with completing dissertation or thesis and impacts related to diet, sleep and emotional well-being. Whatever your concerns, we can listen, offer support, or help you come up with strategies to make the most of your time in grad school. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Mondays 9:00 -10:00 am
Location: Virtual
Facilitators: Zari Carpenter, PhD, LP (she/her)
Group runs September through December
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started.
This therapy group is for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in better understanding themselves and their relationships, learning to communicate more honestly and effectively with others and gaining support from peers. Group members are encouraged to give and receive honest feedback and to practice new, healthier ways of relating. Discussion topics are determined by the group, but may include family dynamics, how early experiences impact current relationships, coping with changing levels of intimacy, initiating conversations, and relationship dynamics, with an emphasis on here-and-now exploration. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
There are multiple sections of USO group; offered on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tuesdays 10:00 – 11:30 am
Location: In-person
Facilitators: Ciera Lewis, PhD, LP (she/her)
Group runs September through December
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. If you have questions, email Ciera at Lewisci1@msu.edu
Being a college student in today’s world can be challenging. If you’re also managing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, it can be even more difficult!
This group uses the structure of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address the challenges that college students diagnosed with ADHD experience. As a group, we’ll work to develop skills and address behaviors related to inattention, forgetfulness, trouble sustaining attention, fidgeting, interrupting others, difficulties with organization and time management. The group is open to undergraduate and graduate students who have been diagnosed with ADHD. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Wednesdays (time TBD)
Location: In person
Facilitators: Nicki Walker, LLMSW (she/her) & Abby Baerman, LMSW (she/her)
Group starts October and ends November. This is an 8-week group.
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment.
Do you live with chronic pain? Or a chronic, physical illness like diabetes, asthma, Crohn’s, POTS or fibromyalgia? Have you felt angry, frustrated, or isolated because of your symptoms? These feelings are all common. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. This group is a safe, non-judgmental space to share about your individual experiences, symptom management and how to navigate challenges that you might encounter as a college student. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Thursdays 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Facilitator: Caitlin Riley, LMSW
Group runs September through December
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started.
Write to Heal is a 5-week therapeutic writing group open to all students interested in exploring their inner world through words. Each week will introduce a different theme and writing technique (e.g., journaling, poetry, expressive letter-writing, narrative storytelling, and metaphor work) designed to help participants process thoughts and emotions, reduce stress, and deepen self-awareness. No writing experience necessary—just bring your curiosity and willingness to explore. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Fridays 10:00 - 11:30 am
Location: In-person
Facilitators: Yvonne Connelly, PhD, LP (she/her) & Christian Gibson, LMSW (she/her)
Group runs September through December
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment.
This four-week workshop focuses on improving concentration, attention, and motivation to complete academic and work demands. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Wednesdays 11:00 - 12:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Facilitators: TBD
Workshops Begin September 14, October 12, & November 9
* Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. No pre-group meeting is needed to join.
This four-week workshop focuses on normalizing anxiety and learning to recognize and combat cognitive distortions. Students will leave the workshop with tangible skills they can implement to cope with anxiety. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Mondays 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Facilitators: TBD
Workshops Begin September 14, October 12, & November 9
* Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. No pre-group meeting is needed to join.
This support group is designed to be a confidential space for new and returning Resident Assistants and Intercultural Aides (ICA) to share, vent, and problem solve stressors in their vital campus roles with the facilitation of a CAPS counselor. Discussion topics could include general stress, balancing the RA and ICA role with academics and other activities, and debriefing about individual experiences. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Mondays 4:00 - 5:00pm
Location: In-person
Facilitator: Sarah Fay-Koutz, LMSW (she/her)
Group runs October - December
*Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started. If you have questions, email Sarah at fays@msu.edu
Losing a partner can feel like one of the most painful things we can experience. It can also feel isolating and confusing. Our mind and loved ones may push us to move on, but our heart may feel stuck. This support group is intended for those who are navigating all the complex emotions that come with relationship loss. A place to make space for the pain to find joy again.
Tuesdays 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Facilitators: Victor Leon, LMSW (He/Him)
Group runs September through December
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started. If you have questions, email Victor at leonvict@msu.edu.
This is a support group for those struggling with disordered eating and body image concerns. The group is open to both undergraduate and graduate students experiencing overeating and restrictive tendencies. This is a non-judgmental space to receive support from other students who can relate to similar concerns and to provide each other encouragement and resources to continue working towards a balanced life. Topics might include coping skills, body image, relationships, stress management, perfectionism, etc. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Tuesdays 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Location: In-person
Facilitators: Basak Khamush, PhD, LP (she/her)
Group runs September through December
*A pre-group meeting is required to join to determine if the group will be a good fit for a student or whether 1:1 therapy and/or higher level of care would best meet a student’s needs. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started.
Have you experienced the loss of a loved one? Modern cultures usually do a poor job of preparing us for loss. Grief is messy and not a linear process. Few know how to think about grief or how we might be able to help ourselves and others.
Grief support groups are a helpful way to learn about the grieving process and how it affects all areas of our lives. Grief groups can also connect us with others who have experienced a similar loss, making us feel less lonely, and normalizing the experience of grief. This group is designed for undergraduate and graduate students who have experienced the loss of a parent, sibling or significant other. If you have had a different type of loss but are interested in exploring grief supports, please feel free to still sign up for a pre-group meeting. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Tuesdays 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Location: In-person
Facilitators: Abigail Waller, LMSW (she/her)
Group runs September through December
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started. If you have questions, email Abigail Waller at wallera@msu.edu
We’ll use a non-traditional group approach, which aims to incorporate essential elements of the African diaspora. In this support group we will explore the experiences of Black women graduate and undergraduate students moving toward self-healing. This group may help students working through interpersonal relationship concerns, managing symptoms of anxiety and depression, or students who are busy but trying to make more time for self-care and connection with others. Topics are determined by the group, but could include: building community on campus, family conflict, relationships, boundary-setting, resource sharing, life transitions, imposter syndrome, academic stress, self-esteem, body image concerns, combatting stereotypes, and more.
All MSU students, including allies, are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Tuesdays 2:30- 3:45 pm
Location: In person
Facilitators: Ciera Lewis, PhD, LP (she/her)
Group runs September through December
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started. If you have questions, email Dr. Lewis at Lewisci1@msu.edu
This support group is a safe, supportive space for undergraduate and graduate students to explore the experiences of gender expression including transgender, gender-fluid, non-binary or gender-nonconforming in any way. Potential topics of discussion include challenges of coming out to self and others, identity development, intersectional identities, limitations of labels, negotiating gendered environments, identity affirming relationships, coping with minority stress and gender binary norms, accessing supportive health and social services, aspects of transitioning process and adjustment to social identity, family dynamics and impacts on wellness, needs and impact of being closeted and/or out and being gender diverse at MSU. All MSU students, including allies, are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Tuesdays 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Facilitator(s): Ginny Blakely, LMSW (no pronouns, just Ginny)
Group runs September through December
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started. If you have questions, email Ginny at blakelyv@msu.edu.
This virtual support group explores the experiences of Asian identified women. This group may be a good fit for undergraduate and graduate students. Discussion will include mutual sharing and support for relationship stress and academic stress, identity exploration, navigating and integrating cultural values, personal growth and cultural resilience. All MSU students, including allies, are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Tuesdays 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Facilitator: Dukhae Sung, PhD, LP (she/her)
Group runs September through December
* A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment.
This graduate student support group will freely explore the experiences of the LGBTQIA2S+ community and discuss sense of identity, self-expression, sexual expression, gender expression, attraction, desire, kinks, relation to others, types of relationships. It is also a space to explore needs, wants, and boundaries, and how to communicate with family, partner(s), friends, and others. All MSU students, including allies, are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Wednesdays 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Facilitators: Ginny Blakely, LMSW (no pronouns, just Ginny)
Group runs September through December
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started. If you have questions, email Ginny at blakelyv@msu.edu.
This therapy group is for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in better understanding themselves and their relationships, learning to communicate more honestly and effectively with others and gaining support from peers. Group members are encouraged to give and receive honest feedback and to practice new, healthier ways of relating. Discussion topics are determined by the group, but may include family dynamics, how early experiences impact current relationships, coping with changing levels of intimacy, initiating conversations, and relationship dynamics, with an emphasis on here-and-now exploration. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
There are multiple sections of USO group; offered on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Wednesdays 3:00 to 4:30 pm
Location: In-person
Facilitators: Josh Turchan, PhD, LP, ABPP (he/him)
Group runs September through December
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Training is an evidence-based group therapy for the treatment of numerous mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, some personality disorders, and other mental health issues. DBT is also useful for individuals who have no diagnosed mental health condition but want to increase their quality of life.
This skills-based program is designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and develop healthy coping strategies. Unlike traditional talk therapy groups, DBT groups are more like classes. Students will learn skills each week that can be used to improve their life and are encouraged to practice skills between sessions and to discuss their practice of skills in group. Skills include mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation skills. We strive to create an environment that is supportive and non-judgmental, and group members often benefit from shared experiences and mutual encouragement. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
There are multiple sections of this group; offered on Wednesday and Thursday. Skills taught in Fall 2026 include mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
Wednesdays 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Location: In-person
Facilitators: David Gates, MA, LPC (he/him)
Group will run from September to December.
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started.
Anxiety and Mindfulness is an in-person cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) group for undergraduate and graduate students to reduce anxiety and other emotional distress. Group members will learn mindfulness techniques and cognitive strategies. Members will also gain non-judgmental self-awareness and peer support. No religious background is required. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Thursdays 2:30 -4:00 pm
Location: In-person
Facilitators: Mollie Delzeith, MA, LPC (she/her)
Group runs September through December
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment.
This weekly psychoeducation group is a space where students can learn more about the early stages of substance use recovery. Topics will include understanding addiction, trigger recognition, building a support system, relapse prevention, and other topics related to recovery from alcohol and other drugs. It is not an abstinence-based group, but participants will be asked to be sober during group time. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Thursdays 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Location: In person (CAPS)
Facilitator(s): Chris Graham, LPC, CAADC
Group runs September through December
A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Training is an evidence-based group therapy for the treatment of numerous mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, some personality disorders, and other mental health issues. DBT is also useful for individuals who have no diagnosed mental health condition but want to increase their quality of life.
This skills-based program is designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and develop healthy coping strategies. Unlike traditional talk therapy groups, DBT groups are more like classes. Students will learn skills each week that can be used to improve their life and are encouraged to practice skills between sessions and to discuss their practice of skills in group. Skills include mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation skills. We strive to create an environment that is supportive and non-judgmental, and group members often benefit from shared experiences and mutual encouragement. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
There are multiple sections of this group; offered on Wednesday and Thursday. Skills taught in Fall 2026 include mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
Thursdays 1:30-3:00pm
Location: In-person
Facilitators: Kayla Zentz, LLMSW (she/her)
DBT Skills Training Group will run from September to December
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started.
Replenish is a monthly program that explores the experiences of women and femmes of color. Each month the facilitators will cover a new topic that focuses on participants caring for themselves, connecting to community, and exploring relevant needs. It is the hope that these self-care practices will help students find a moment of relaxation and connection with others. All MSU students including allies are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Fridays 12:30-2:00pm
Location: In-person
Facilitators: Ciera Lewis, PhD, LP (she/her), Lauren Enty, LMSW (she/her), Mariam Mukhtar, LLP (she/her), Yvonne Connelly, PhD, LP (she/her)
Group is held once a month on Fridays: 9/18, 10/16, 11/13, 12/11
*No pre-group meeting is required to join. Sign-up at the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/iPPee5KWFv Please email Dr. Lewis at Lewisci1@msu.edu with any questions.
Feeling overwhelmed as an international student? You're not alone. With growing uncertainty around visa status, SEVIS regulations, and shifting immigration policies—alongside academic, financial, healthcare, and cultural challenges—it's natural to feel stressed or isolated. We want you to know that you do not have to deal with them alone. In this international student support group, we hope to provide a safe, confidential space to connect with others, share experiences, explore resources, and support one another. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Fridays 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Facilitator: Zari Carpenter, PhD, LP (she/her)
Group runs September through December
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started.
Empower U is a virtual space for all graduate and undergraduate students to support and empower one another. This group will explore the experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ students of color. Some themes of the group include relationships, self and community care, values exploration, intersectionality, self-compassion, family dynamics, navigating cultural expectations, and building resilience. All MSU students, including allies, are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Fridays 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Facilitators: Olivia Scott, PhD, LP (she/her)
Group runs September through December
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation at caps.msu.edu/schedule and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started. If you have questions, email Olivia at scottol1@msu.edu.