Group Counseling

For many students, group counseling can be an ideal choice for addressing concerns and making positive change. Group counseling provides a unique opportunity for students to come together in a safe and supportive environment that promotes mental and emotional wellness. 

CAPS offers an array of group counseling options including interpersonal process groups, skill-building groups, and affinity groups. Like all CAPS clinical services, group sessions are provided by licensed mental health clinicians including psychologists, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, as well as doctoral-level psychology interns working under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. 

A complete description of all groups currently offered at CAPS is available below. 

Clients need to be referred to these groups by a CAPS clinician, please contact CAPS at 562-985-4001 for more details if interested. 

Finding Your Calm: Tools for Coping with Anxiety

Six-week structured group designed to teach effective strategies for coping with anxiety using cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness, and self-compassion. 

  • Mondays 11am—12:15pm 
  • Lauren Jensen, Ph.D. 

 

Moving Between Worlds: A Support Group for Asian Pacific American Womxn 

For womxn interested in exploring cultural expectations regarding identities, roles within family, dating, career, and personal choices. 

  • Thursdays 3:00 – 4:30pm
  • Diane Hayashino, Ph.D. 

 

Grieving with Grace 

For students who have experienced the recent or past death of a loved one and are seeking ways to cope with the grief/loss process. 

  • Fridays 10:30am-12pm
  • Clarissa Green-Anicich, Psy.D. 

 

Understanding Self and Others 

In a safe and energizing group of peers, learn more about yourself and work on interpersonal goals to help you have more effective and more intimate relationships with others.  

  • Mondays 1:30-3pm | Beth Sullivan, Psy.D. and Edith Garcia, M.A. 
  • Wednesdays 3:30pm-5pm | Abby Bradecich, Psy.D. and Yeji Son, M.A. 
  • Fridays 1:30-3:00pm | Shelly Collins, Ph.D. and Rafael Garcia, M.A. 

CAPS Workshop Groups are designed to build understanding and skills in a 3- or 4- week workshop format. Clients need to be referred to these groups by a CAPS clinician, please contact CAPS at 562-985-4001 for more details. 

Anxiety Toolbox 

This 3-week workshop is designed to help you enhance your understanding of anxiety as well as develop new strategies to better recognize and manage symptoms you may be experiencing.

  • Tuesdays 2-3pm
  • Facilitated by Lesley Graves, Ph.D. and Edith Garcia, M.A.

 

Resiliency Reboot 

More than ever, thriving rather than surviving is necessary in our changing world. In this 4-week group you’ll learn several strategies to strengthen your resilience and increase coping. If you are new to campus or would like to connect with others this group may be helpful to you.

  • 4 sessions: Mar. 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 1:30-2:45pm 
  • Facilitated by Shelly Collins, Ph.D.

 

Relationship Rehab 

This is a 4-week coaching group focused on strategies to improve success in interpersonal interactions. Participants will learn critical skills for achieving relational health, will share their stories, and affirm the experience of others. Each week participants will develop a challenge unique to their relational goals.

  • 4 sessions: Feb. 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 1:30-2:45pm 
  • Facilitated by Shelly Collins, Ph.D. 

 

Sleep Soundly

This 3-session group offers sleep improvement and anti-insomnia strategies. The goal is to teach techniques that will facilitate a more restful, rejuvenating sleep, as well as improve your sleep schedule so that it maximizes your quality of life.

  • 3 sessions: Apr. 10, 17, and 24 from 1:30- 2:45pm
  • Facilitated by Shelly Collins, Ph.D. 

 

Mood Masters 

This 3-week workshop is for students who want to learn and practice new strategies for managing overwhelming emotions. Each week’s content will build upon the previous week, introducing effective skills in distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and mindfulness.

  • Thursdays 1:00-2:00pm 
  • Facilitated by Lesley Graves, Ph.D. 

Additional Group Offerings 

Community Drop-In Spaces 

Community Spaces are drop-in groups led by CAPS Counselors and open to all students. Although not therapy groups, Community Spaces offer students an opportunity to find community, build connections, and feel supported. It’s easy to join. No appointment is required; you may begin at any time during the semester; it is okay to arrive late or leave early; and you are not expected to attend every meeting. Unless otherwise noted, Community Spaces do not meet during campus holidays, school breaks, or finals week. Community Spaces are not recommended for students in crisis. If you are in crisis, or need immediate assistance, please call 562-985-4001.

A complete list of current Community Drop-In Spaces is available below. 

Rainbow Cafe 

An inclusive community in support of sexual, gender, and romantic diversity 

 

Black Table Talk 

Open to Black identified students, staff, and faculty #BlackBeach 

 

Sticky Rice at The Beach 

A place for Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander students to bond 

  • Tuesdays 12-1pm (weekly, starting 2/6)
  • In-person: USU-307 | (USU 202 on 3/12 only) 
  • Project Resilience Peer Mentors help facilitate with CAPS counselors
  • Arlene.Dayrit@csulb.edu 

 

Spoon Check 

A supportive community space for students living with chronic illness and/or chronic pain 

 

Buddies Connect at the Beach 

Meet other students, build community, get resources, and de-stress 

 

Thoughtful Thursday 

Guided mindfulness and meditation 

  • Thursdays 11:30am-12:30pm (started 2/1) 
  • Zoom ID: 897 2478 4255 | Arlene.Dayrit@csulb.edu 
  • Meeting in-person 1x month at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden | 2/29, 3/28, 4/25, 5/16 (tentative) 

 

Sisterfriends

Supportive networking group for students who identify as Black women 

  • Thursdays 1 - 2:30pm (weekly, starting 2/1)
  • In-person: BH-238
  • Women's and Gender Equity Center & CAPS collaboration | Dr. Shelly-Ann Collins & Terri Armstrong 
  • Instagram: @csulbsisterfriends49

 

Latinas at the Beach 

A space for Latina students to share experiences, create community, and connect. 

Let’s Talk

Let's Talk is an individual drop-in consultation service for any student interested in a brief and informal discussion with a CAPS Counselor. Let’s Talk is not a substitute for counseling or mental health treatment, but may be helpful for students considering counseling or simply wanting to access support and explore available resources. Attending is easy. No appointment is required, but you may RSVP by following the instructions provided (students are served on a first-come-first-serve basis). Unless otherwise noted, Let’s Talk does not meet during campus holidays, school breaks, or finals week. Let’s Talk is not recommended for students in crisis. If you are in crisis, or in need of immediate support, please call CAPS at 562-985-4001.

A complete list of current Let’s Talk Drop-In Spaces is available below. 

AAPI Let's Talk 

Individual 15 min drop-in consultations for Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander students. 

  • Mondays 1 - 2 pm
  • Virtual drop-in with Arlene Dayrit, LMFT 

RSVP AAPI Let's Talk

 

BMAC Let's Talk 

Students can drop in on zoom or in person. In person drop-ins will be in the Bob Murphy Access Center. Please, check-in at the front desk. 

  • Wednesdays 2 - 4 pm
  • Hybrid Drop-in with llene Gonzalez, LMFT 

RSVP BMAC Let's Talk

 

Black Talk 

Individual 20 min drop-in consultations for CSULB students who identify as Black or of African descent.

  • Fridays 11 am - 12 pm
  • Virtual drop-in with Shelly-Ann Collins, Ph. D 

RSVP Black Talk

 

Let's Talk 

Individual 20 min drop-in consultations for all CSULB students. 

  • Fridays 10 - 11 am
  • Virtual drop-in with Shelly-Ann Collins, Ph. D 

RSVP Let's Talk