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: Jessica Oyoque-Barron, LMSW (she/her) & Zari Carpenter, PhD, LLP (she/her)
Group runs September through December
*A Pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started.
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: Haleh Jortani, MA, (she/her) & Sahar Al-Tweej, MA (she/her)
Workshops Begin September 8, October 6, & November 3
*Please schedule a phone consultation and state your interest in this group during the appointment. No pre-group meeting is needed to join.
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.
Mondays 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Facilitator: Zen Zhong, M.Phil.Ed, LPC (he/him)
Group runs September through December
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation 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, Wednesday, and Friday.
Tuesdays 10:00 – 11:30 am
Location: In-person
Facilitators: Ciera Lewis, PhD, LP (she/her) & Jimmy Bruce, PhD, LP (he/him) & Brooke Garcia-Nettz, MA, LPC (she/her)
Group runs September 2 through December 2, 2025
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation and state your interest in this group during the appointment. If you have questions, email Ciera at Lewisci1@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 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Location: In-person
Facilitators: Basak Khamush, PhD, LP (she/her) & Sahar Al-Tweej, MA (she/her)
Group runs September 2 through December 2, 2025
*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 and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started.
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 1:00 - 2:15 pm
Location: In person
Facilitators: Ciera Lewis, PhD, LP (she/her)
Group runs September 23 through December 2, 2025
*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 undergraduate 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, and 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.
Tuesdays 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Facilitators: Victor Leon, LMSW (He/Him) & Samara Al-Omaishi, MA, (she/her)
Group runs September 2 through December 2, 2025
*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.
Do you ever find yourself feeling unworthy, insecure, flawed, or unlovable? In this group you can work to 1) identify where these core negative beliefs stem from 2) reprocess these experiences and 3) shift into a more positive mindset. This group will allow you the opportunity to work through past experiences that may continue to interfere with your ability to thrive and feel confident. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Tuesdays 2:15 - 3:45 pm
Location: In-person
Facilitators: Brooke Garcia-Nettz, MA, LPC (she/her)
Group runs September 2 through December 2, 2025
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation and state your interest in this group during the appointment.
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
Status: Virtual
Facilitator: Dukhae Sung, PhD, LP (she/her)
Group runs September 2 through December 2, 2025
* 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.
Tuesdays 11:00 - 12:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Facilitators: HanaLi Gilbert, MA, (she/her) & Samara Al-Omaishi, MA, (she/her)
Workshops Begin September 5, October 3, & October 31
*Please schedule a phone consultation and state your interest in this group during the appointment. No pre-group meeting is needed to join.
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 2025
*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 for this section of USO will focus on family dynamics because “Home is where we start from.” Participants can expect to explore how childhood and 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, Wednesday, and Friday.
Wednesdays 3:00 to 4:30 pm
Location: In-person
Facilitators: Josh Turchan, PhD, LP, ABPP (he/him) & Ananya Sharma, PsyD, LLP (she/her), & Haleh Jortani, MA, (she/her)
Group runs September through December 2025
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation and state your interest in this group during the appointment.
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.
Wednesdays 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Location: In-person
Facilitators: Abigail Waller, LMSW (she/her) & Arielle Vannette, MA, TLLP (she/her)
Group runs September 25 through December 4, 2025
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation 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
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 Friday. Skills taught in Fall 2025 include mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
Wednesdays 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Location: In-person
Facilitators: David Gates, MA, LPC (he/him) & Sahar Al-Tweej, MA (she/her) & Cameron Kasperi (she/her)
Group will run from September 3 to December 3, 2025.
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started.
This is a supportive space designed for undergraduate and graduate students who have been diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness, such as Bipolar Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, or Psychosis. This group offers an opportunity to connect with peers who are facing similar challenges, and navigating the complexities of mental health while managing the pressures of academic life. You may receive support, validation, and advice for managing day-to-day life as a student with a mental illness. Topics of discussion might include: dealing with stigma, medications, how to cope with symptoms, returning to school from hospitalization or medical leave, etc. All MSU students are welcome to participate based on the clinical recommendations of CAPS staff.
Thursdays 1:00- 2:30 pm
Status: In-person
Facilitator: Sarah De Young, LMSW (she/her)
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation and state your interest in this group during the appointment. You are welcome to join after the group has started.
Do you live with a chronic, physical illness like diabetes, asthma, Crohn’s, POTS or fibromyalgia? Have you felt angry, frustrated or isolated because of your condition? 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 2025
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation 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) & Ying-Hsuan Chen (she/her)
Group runs September through December 2025
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation and state your interest in this group during the appointment.
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.
Thursdays 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Facilitator(s): Ginny Blakely, LMSW (no pronouns, just Ginny) & Leo Harzman, MS (he/they)
Group runs September through December 2025
*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 support group is designed to be a confidential space for new and returning Resident Assistants 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 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.
Thursdays 4:00 - 5:00pm
Location: In-person
Facilitator: Sarah Fay-Koutz, LMSW (she/her) & John Denny, MA (he/him)
Group runs September 11 through December 4
*Please schedule a phone consultation 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
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 2025
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation and state your interest in this group during the appointment.
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, Wednesday, and Friday.
Fridays 10:00 – 11:30 am
Location: In-person
Facilitators: Nicki Walker, LLMSW (she/her)
Group runs September through December 2025
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation 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 Friday. Skills taught in Fall 2025 include mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
Fridays 10:30 – 12:00 pm
Location: In-person
Facilitators: Kayla Zentz, LLMSW (she/her) & HanaLi Gilbert, MA (she/her)
Fall 2025 DBT Skills Training Group will run from Aug 29 to Dec 5, 2025.
*A pre-group meeting is required to join. Please schedule a phone consultation 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 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Facilitators: Olivia Scott, PhD, LP (she/her) & HanaLi Gilbert, MA (she/her)
Group runs September 5 through December 5, 2025
*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.