Group Counseling

Open to: MIT graduate women in STEAM 
Meets: Tuesdays, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m., via Zoom 
Group facilitator: Maureen Rezendes, PhD, mrezendes@med.mit.edu 
Description: This group meets weekly with a brief mindfulness and self-compassion exercise followed by debriefing of the experience. Group members share thoughts and feelings about life as MIT graduate women in STEAM, and the joys and challenges in balancing life and research while also trying to take care of one’s self. This support group serves as a place where one can share self-critical thoughts and experiences, and participants will consider alternative ways to view the experience. When others provide a kind and compassionate view of that experience, participants may begin to notice that they can challenge their own negative self-perception. Through this resonance and support, group members find that hearing others’ narratives in the context of their own allows for more kindness toward one’s self and others. 

Open to: All MIT students 
Meets: Fridays, 1 p.m.– 2 p.m., in-person, beginning November 15, 2024 
Group facilitator: Maureen Rezendes, PhD, mrezendes@med.mit.edu 
Description: This group meets weekly with a brief mindfulness and self-compassion exercise followed by debriefing of the experience. Group members share thoughts and feelings about life at MIT and the joys and challenges in balancing life and academics, while also trying to take care of one’s self. This support group serves as a place where one can practice previously learned CBT and self-compassion skills from prior workshop experiences, while sharing one’s own life experiences. When group members provide a kind and compassionate view of that experience, participants may begin to notice that they can challenge their own negative self-perception. Through this resonance and support, group members find that hearing others’ narratives in the context of their own allows for more kindness toward one’s self and others. 

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students 
Meets: Mondays, 3:30–5 p.m., in person
Group facilitators: Johanna Malaga, PsyD and Karah Hussey, MS
Email jmalaga@med.mit.edu for pre-group screening. 
Description: This is a confidential, weekly support group for students who have experienced sexual violence. It offers a space to share and discuss the aftermath of sexual trauma with others who have had similar experiences. This group is a collaboration between Student Mental Health & Counseling and Violence, Prevention, & Response (VPR). See additional information.  

Open to: Students who identify as being low-income or first-generation   
Meets: Tuesdays 12–1 p.m., in-person, at Student Mental Health & Counseling 
Group Facilitator: Danny Becker, LCSW, dbecker@med.mit.edu 
Description: This group supports students as they navigate a range of challenges unique to individuals who identify as first-generation and/or are from lower-income backgrounds. We will focus on topics common to students adjusting to college or graduate school who come from a community where higher education may not be the norm.  

Topics include:

• Challenges with academic rigor
• Financial stressors
• Feelings of belonging
• Navigating challenging family dynamics
• Cross-cultural movement  
• Change in general
• Remaining open to intersectional challenges  

We will also highlight strategies for help-seeking. Students are asked to make a semester-long commitment.

Open to: All graduate students who identify as anywhere on the LGBTQ+ spectrum (with a special invitation to those who are questioning and/or navigating the complexities of intersectional sociocultural identities – you are welcome here!)
Meets: Tuesdays 4–5:15 p.m., in person at Student Mental Health & Counseling 
Group facilitator: Micaela Owusu, MD, MSc mowusu@med.mit.edu
Description: This is a longitudinal group therapy for all graduate students who identify as anywhere on the LGBTQQIA+ spectrum. Primary focus will be interpersonal and process-oriented meaning a focus on sharing challenges receiving feedback, and examining interpersonal relationships with peers with the facilitated support of the group leader. As the group develops we may also explore opportunities for education from the group leader on specific topics relevant to the community.

Open to: Non-binary, female, and male graduate students
Meets: Mondays, 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., in-person
Group facilitator: Maria Minkova, PsyD mminkova@med.mit.edu
Description: This is a support group to discuss general struggles and various themes of life and relationships. Students are asked to make a semester-long commitment.

Open to: Black-identified graduate women
Meets: Fridays, 1–2:15 p.m., virtual
Group facilitators: Karen Singleton, PhD sing@med.mit.edu and Englann Taylor, PhD, etaylor@med.mit.edu
Description: This process and support group for black graduate women commonly includes discussions of such themes and issues as being women of color at MIT, coping with microaggressions, relationship and family issues, and navigating issues with graduate departments.

Open to: Graduate women
Meets: Tuesdays, 4–5 p.m., in person
Group facilitator: Karen Singleton, PhD sing@med.mit.edu
Description: This process group enables female graduate students to share and receive support around a variety of issues, including, but not limited to, being female within their departments, relationship and family issues, adjusting to COVID-19, and coping with other mental health concerns.

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students 
Meets: Fridays, 3–4 p.m. 
Group 1: January 10–February 28 
Group 2: March 7– May 2 (The group will not meet on Friday, March 28.)
Group Facilitator: Leslie Langston, LICSW (langs@med.mit.edu) 
Description: This eight-session support group is for students who have experienced the death of a loved one. Everyone experiences loss in their own way, yet no one should have to grieve alone. Bereavement support can be helpful in the process of recovering from the loss of a loved one. The group will offer grief-specific psychoeducation and therapeutic support in a group format, as well as exercises geared toward addressing the healing process from grief. Students are asked to make a commitment to all eight sessions. Prospective members will meet with the group facilitator prior to the group as to ensure that the fit will be right for you.

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students
Meets: Wednesdays, 4–5:15 p.m., in person at Student Mental Health & Counseling
Group facilitators: Eliot Fearey, PhD efearey@med.mit.edu, Amanda Chang, PsyD achang@med.mit.edu
Description: This 10-week psychoeducational, support group is for students who have experienced significant dysfunction or distress within their family of origin (such as physical or emotional abuse or neglect) and whose experiences have impacted their self-perception, sense of self-worth, and ability to have healthy and rewarding relationships as adults. The group offers an opportunity to heal through validation, support, and connection to others with similar histories. Group members will learn how trauma impacts the mind and body. They will learn skills for emotion regulation and be provided with a safe space to process family experiences. Students are asked to make a 10-week commitment and meet with the facilitator before joining the group.

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students who self-identify as Latinx/Latino/Latina. 
Meets: Mondays 4–5 p.m., beginning September 23, in person at Student Mental Health & Counseling, E23-376
Group facilitator: Jaime Francisco Matorras, LMHC 
Email jmatorras@med.mit.edu for pre-group screening. The group is limited to 10 participants.
Description: This weekly therapeutic support group is for students who identify as Latinx/Latino/Latina. The group will provide a confidential space to discuss personal and interpersonal problems and topics related to mental health and culture, explore issues related to race and socioeconomic backgrounds as Latinx/Latino/Latina members of the MIT community, learn and practice coping and conflict-resolution skills and stress-management techniques, and build a community based on respect, care, and solidarity.
Each semester will close with group and individual evaluations of group participation and engagement with the group facilitator. 
To make this group inclusive for all MIT Latinx/Latina/Latino students, meetings will be conducted in English.

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students 
Meets: Wednesday mornings
Group facilitator: Christina Brothers, LICSW cbrothers@med.mit.edu
Description: The group will offer a supportive space where individuals can focus on concerns related to their relationship with food and their bodies. It will be a nonjudgmental space that fosters both hope and understanding of these struggles. Additionally, we will use acceptance and commitment therapy to create a framework for participants to understand how they can develop a different relationship with their thoughts.

Open to: Undergraduate students
Meets: Thursday, 5–6:15
Group facilitators: Mia Gore, MD, gore@med.mit.edu
Description: The Interpersonal Group (IPG) has no specific structure or agenda. The group leader serves as a moderator who will guide the group toward a focus on emotions and relating in the present moment. IPG is designed to help students who are dealing with anxiety or depression, navigating major life transitions, or just trying to understand themselves and others more fully. 

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students
Meets: Thursdays, 2–3 p.m., Oct. 15–Dec. 3
Group facilitators: Sevan Makhoulian, PhD, smakhoulian@med.mit.edu and Joanna Goldsmith, LICSW, jgoldsmith@med.mit.edu
Email facilitators for pre-group screening.
Description: This group is designed to help students improve their social communication, self-awareness, and connection to others. 

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students
Meets: in person at Student Mental Health & Counseling
Group A: Tuesdays, 5–6:15 p.m. | Group B: Wednesdays, 2–3:15 p.m.
Group facilitator: Eliot Fearey, PhD efearey@med.mit.edu
Description: Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) focuses on learning to live in the present moment, effectively navigating intense emotions, and forming healthy relationships. Students who participate in this group will learn skills related to mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. This group offers a space to learn and practice new skills, reflect on efforts towards implementation of new skills, and a supportive peer community. Students can continue in the group for as long as they need the space and skills.

Open to: Graduate students who have been diagnosed with, and treated for, ADHD
Meets: Thursdays, 10–11 a.m., virtual
Group facilitator: Xiaolu Hsi, PhD hsix@med.mit.edu
Description: This group will answer questions about the nature and impact of ADHD, how it’s diagnosed, and treatment options. Each session will include a skill-training segment covering coping mechanisms, such as time management and organizational skills, management of difficult emotions and problematic thinking patterns, and self-advocacy.

Open to: Undergraduate students who have been diagnosed with, and treated for, ADHD
Meets: Mondays, 10–11 a.m., virtual
Group facilitator: Xiaolu Hsi, PhD, hsix@med.mit.edu
Description: This group will answer questions about the nature and impact of ADHD, how it’s diagnosed, and treatment options. Each session will include a skill-training segment covering coping mechanisms, such as time management and organizational skills, management of difficult emotions and problematic thinking patterns, and self-advocacy.

Open to: PhD students doing thesis work
Meets: Thursdays, 3–4 p.m., Virtual
Group facilitator: Xiaolu Hs, PhD, hsix@med.mit.edu
Description: The group focuses on skills for better time management, organization, thesis writing, interpersonal negotiation (especially with advisors and committee members), self-care, and stress management.

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students who have experienced trauma (read more)
Meets: Tuesdays: October 29, November 5, November 12, and November 19, 11 a.m.–12:15 p.m., in person, at Student Mental Health & Counseling, E23-376 
Group facilitators: Johanna Malaga, PsyD, jmalaga@med.mit.edu and Jaime Matorras, LMHC, jmatorras@med.mit.edu
Description: This four-session workshop series will provide a “road map” to the stages of healing from trauma, which begins with establishing safety and stability in one’s body. You will learn how trauma impacts the body and mind. You will learn practices to calm the body and regulate emotions and reactions. You will increase your capacity to care for yourself. You will see that you are not alone and will feel empowered in your healing process.

Safety is our goal for this workshop, and we will not ask you to share traumatic details of your story in order to participate. This workshop will be led by clinicians from Student Mental Health & Counseling’s Trauma Team.

Contact Student Mental Health & Counseling at 617-253-2916 for pre-group screening.

What is “trauma?”

“Trauma” includes many different types of experiences — one incident or more — and can affect people of all genders and backgrounds. Trauma can result from any experience that makes one feel physically or emotionally unsafe and that disrupts how one copes or functions.

Traumatic experiences include, but are not limited to, unwanted sexual experiences, domestic violence, being the victim of or witness to a violent crime, auto accident, traumatic medical procedure, natural disaster, death of a close contact that occurred in a traumatic manner, indirect exposure to aversive details of trauma (secondary trauma), and adverse childhood experiences.