Groups and Workshops
CMHS Fall 2021 virtual groups and workshops aim to enhance coping strategies and foster connection among students. All currently enrolled students on the Medford-Somerville and SMFA campuses are eligible to participate. You can participate in multiple groups in a given semester, and there is no limit on the number of groups while enrolled at Tufts. All groups are confidential, with meetings taking place on a secure Zoom platform. After your place in the group is confirmed, the group facilitator will send a unique link to access the session(s).
We offer two main types of groups at CMHS:
- Counseling Groups typically meet weekly for up to 8 weeks. These groups can deepen your self-awareness, enhance your relationship skills, and foster connection with other students. Counseling groups typically involve a commitment to attend all sessions and also to meet with the facilitator for an individual pre-group conversation. You must be located in Massachusetts during the time of the meeting.
- Discussion Groups and Workshops offer a more informal opportunity to build skills or to connect with others regarding particular experiences. Most workshops are either drop-in or require a simple sign-up to join, and you can join from any geographical location.
Fall 2021 Virtual Groups and Workshops
COUNSELING GROUPS:
*New Group Added for Fall 2021*
Oasis: Holding Space
6 Wednesdays 12 - 1:15pm EST: October 20th- December 8th
Facilitator: Candyce Burke-Auguste
For Black identified students, this space is intended to promote positive mental health and coping. Participants will be able to share and learn in a liberated space about the impact of power and privilege, experiences of marginalization, racial/acculturative stress, intersectionality and identity development. Join with others to give voice to your thoughts and feelings and proactively engage in the radical act of self-care & community care. Contact Candyce.Burke_Auguste@tufts.edu for inquiries and to schedule an individual pre-group meeting.
Coping with Loss in a Remote World
8 Fridays 3 - 4:15pm EST, October 15th – December 10th
Facilitators: Xuhua Qin and Stefan Jadaszewski
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. This group is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Contact Xuhua.Qin@tufts.edu or Stefan.Jadaszewski@tufts.edu for inquiries and to schedule an individual pre-group meeting.
Growing up with Family Mental Illness or Addiction
5 Fridays 1–2pm EST: 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 12/3, and 12/10
Facilitators: Deborah Siegel and Cate Petrowski
This 5-session group is designed to support undergraduate and graduate students who have a family member or loved one living with mental illness and/or addiction. The group will focus on providing information about resources, common challenges and growth-promoting experiences, and strategies for setting healthy boundaries. Additionally, the group will be a safe space to discuss shared experiences and connect with others. Contact Deborah.Siegel@tufts.edu or Cate.Petrowski@tufts.edu for inquiries and to schedule an individual pre-group meeting.
Body Image and Me
8 Fridays, 2 – 3:15 pm EST: 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 12/3, 12/10
Facilitator: Gabrielle Roy
Do you compare your body size and appearance to others? Experience guilt after eating your favorite dessert? Feel alone in your struggle with body image? This group aims to provide a supportive space for students to discuss feelings about their body and living in a world that places so much emphasis on appearance and size. Through a combination of discussion and experiential-based activities this group will explore how cultural, familial, social, and identity factors contribute to overall body image through an anti-diet, health at every size lens. Contact Gabrielle.Roy@tufts.edu for inquiries and to schedule an individual pre-group meeting.
Living with Bipolar Disorder
2 Fridays, 2-3pm EST: 10/29 and 11/5
Facilitators: Sophie Ricks (counselor) and Susan Mahoney (prescriber)
This is a two-part workshop for students who have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Students will learn more about managing this condition while in college or graduate school and develop a comprehensive self-care plan that supports mental health. We will also discuss the impact of stigma on seeking help and connecting with others. Students will have an opportunity to share their own experiences and learn from each other. Contact Sophie.Ricks@tufts.edu or Susan.Mahoney@tufts.edu for inquiries and to schedule an individual pre-group meeting.
DISCUSSION GROUPS, WORKSHOPS AND WEBINARS:
ReST & Renew: Tools for Uncertain Times--for Undergraduates
4 Wednesdays, 2 - 3pm EST: 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10
Facilitators: Jennifer Granquist and Sophie Ricks
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 Training (ReST) Workbook for their own use. Students are encouraged to attend each session if possible. Contact Jennifer.Granquist@tufts.edu or Sophie.Ricks@tufts.edu for inquiries or to RSVP.
ReST & Renew: Tools for Uncertain Times--for Graduate Students
4 Wednesdays, 1 – 2 pm EST: 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10
Facilitator: Andrew Yuen
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 Training (ReST) Workbook for their own use. Students are encouraged to attend each session if possible. Contact Andrew.Yuen@tufts.edu for inquiries or to RSVP.
Black Wellness Workshops
2 Wednesdays, 12 – 1:15pm EST, 11/17, 12/15
Facilitators: Candyce Burke-Auguste and Kalo Sokoto
These workshops for Black-identified students aim 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 either or both sessions.
November 17 -- Black Wellness Matters. This workshop will focus on identifying common stressors and concerns and how to best take care of our overall well-being.
December 15 -- 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. Contact Candyce.Burke_Auguste@tufts.edu for inquiries or to RSVP.
Connection Matters: International Students Discussion Group
3 Wednesdays, 10 – 11am EST: 10/6, 11/3, 12/1
Facilitators: Xuhua Qin and Xi Bi
In this series of conversation spaces for international students, we will talk about being an international student in a very isolated and uncertain time as well as how we make connections, reduce stress, and enhance coping skills. Open to all Tufts international students regardless of current location. You are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions. Contact
Xuhua.Qin@tufts.edu for inquiries or to RSVP.
Connecting with Care in the Community
Facilitator: Jimmy Kane
2 Tuesdays, 12 – 12:45pm EST
10/05 or 10/19-- for students with the student health insurance
10/12 or 10/26-- for students with another insurance/their family’s insurance
Looking for a long-term therapist or psychiatrist? Join the CMHS Care Manager for one of these sessions to learn how to connect with a provider in the community for long-term therapy/treatment. This webinar will provide students with an understanding of their insurance/cost of therapy, review therapist search tools, and help students feel comfortable contacting providers on their own. Webinar is confidential and students will not be visible to each other. RSVP to receive the Zoom link here: go.tufts.edu/mhoffcampus
Groups of Workshops Offered On Campus by Health Promotion and Prevention Groups On Campus