COVID-19 Update: Please visit our COVID-19 Updates page for more updated information.
We offer free groups and workshops for all current Tufts students. Students can participate in multiple groups in a given semester, with no limit on the number of groups while enrolled at Tufts.
- Support and therapy groups are an opportunity to receive multiple perspectives, encouragement, and feedback in a safe and confidential environment. The experience can deepen your self-awareness, enhance your relationship skills and allow you to experiment with new ideas and ways of being.
- Workshops and Discussion Groups offer a more informal opportunity to connect with others regarding particular experiences or for a shared activity. Most workshops are either drop-in or require a simple sign-up to join -- see specific descriptions for details.
Groups FAQs
Group therapy is an opportunity for students to join with others to discuss similar concerns or experiences. A typical group has 4 – 8 students and meets for 60 – 75 minutes weekly or every other week, facilitated by a CMHS staff clinician.
Participating in a group can help you:
- Feel understood and supported by others with similar experiences.
- Deepen your self-awareness.
- Learn to effectively express your thoughts and feelings to others.
- Enhance interpersonal skills and improve relationships.
- Develop more effective coping strategies.
Group facilitators are skilled in creating a safe space where everyone can feel supported to participate and benefit from the group. You get to decide what and when to share; that said, you will find group most helpful when you can open up about the concerns that bring you there.
All groups are confidential, and each member must commit to maintain confidentiality in order to participate in a group. This is a critical aspect of creating a safe, respectful and trusting environment, which allows group members to discuss their concerns and engage with others.
Spring 2021 Virtual Workshops and Discussion Groups
These virtual discussion groups and workshops aim to enhance coping strategies and foster connection among Tufts students. All events will take place over a secure Zoom platform. Please see below for details about each group and how to participate. After your place in the group is confirmed, the group facilitator will send a unique link to access the session(s). If any of the groups you are interested in are full, we encourage you to come back to this page in the future for more information on the groups we are offering.
Facilitators: Candyce Burke-Auguste and Damon Pryor
3 Fridays, 12-1 EST: March 5, April 2, April 23
In this workshop series for Black-identified students, we will be discussing ways to foster connection, reduce stress, combat daily life challenges and engage in radical self-care. It is open to all Black-identified undergraduate and graduate students at Tufts (on and off-campus). Students are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions.
March 5: Zooming While Black. This workshop will focus on identifying, managing, and reducing the stressors of using zoom as a Black person.
April 2: Black Wellness Matters. This workshop will focus on identifying common stressors and concerns and how to best take care of our overall well-being.
April 23: Rest and Recharge. This workshop will serve as a reset button and opportunity for a collective breath with an emphasis on self-care, community care and other restorative practices.
Facilitators: Jennifer Granquist and Andrew Yuen
4 Wednesdays, 2 - 3pm EST: February 24, March 3, March 10 and March 17
This group aims to help undergraduate students learn and practice resiliency skills to better face unexpected changes and manage uncertainty. Participants will acquire tools to: build social connection, manage emotions, find purpose and meaning, set goals, and promote healthy habits. Each participant will receive a copy of the “Resiliency Skills Workbook” for their own use. Students are encouraged to attend each session if possible.
Facilitator: Andrew Yuen
4 Wednesdays, 2 – 3pm EST: March 31, April 7, April 14, and April 21
This group aims to help graduate students learn and practice resiliency skills to better face unexpected changes and manage uncertainty. Participants will acquire tools to: build social connection, manage emotions, find purpose and meaning, set goals, and promote healthy habits. Each participant will receive a copy of the “Resiliency Skills Workbook” for their own use. Students are encouraged to attend each session if possible.
Facilitator: Jennifer Granquist
Fridays 3 – 4pm EST: February 12 through April 30
Drop by Friday afternoons for an informal discussion about ways to manage during Covid isolation and quarantine. Come share connection and conversation about taking care of your mental health during this time. Learn fun and creative ways to expand your well-being toolkit.
Facilitator: Xuhua Qin
Date and Time: Fridays 3 - 4:15pm EST, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/30
This is a confidential and supportive group for students who have experienced the death of a family member, partner, or friend. Group members will have an opportunity to talk about their current lives and the impact of loss while juggling the demands of being a student. Participants will form a connection with each other as a community to be on this journey together. It is an open enrollment drop-in space for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Facilitator: m. addyson tucker (they/them/their)
Every 3rd Tuesday, 4:30 - 5:45pm EST: February 2nd and 23rd; March 16th; April 6th and 27th
This virtual drop-in support space is open to all Tufts students who identify as trans and gender nonbinary (TGNB) and is inclusive of TGNB students of all intersecting identities. Topics include, but are not limited to, gender affirmation and treatment; managing systemic oppression; coping with stress; self-compassion and self-care; and connecting in meaningful ways when not able to be in person.
Facilitator: Xuhua Qin
3 Thursdays, 11 – 12pm EST: March 4th, April 1st, April 29th
This is a series of conversation spaces for international students. Each meeting will be hosted by Xuhua and another guest co-host. We will talk about the pandemic; being an international student in a very isolated and uncertain time; and how we make connections, reduce stress, and enhance coping skills. Open to all Tufts international students, regardless of your current location. You are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions.
Facilitators: Jennifer Granquist and Sophie Ricks
5 Thursdays, 2 - 3pm EST: March 18, March 25, April 8, April 15 and April 22
Participants will learn how journaling practices can be integrated into a self-care toolkit in a relaxed and welcoming group. Each week we’ll discuss a different aspect or type of journaling, complete a brief writing exercise together, then (optionally) share our writing and what the writing experience was like. No writing experience necessary. Students are encouraged to attend all five groups if possible.
RSVP or inquiries: jennifer.granquist@tufts.edu or sophie.ricks@tufts.edu
Health Promotion and Prevention Groups On Campus
For more information, visit the Health Promotion and Prevention website.