Group Counseling

Student Mental Health & Counseling offers a wide variety of support, skills-based, and interpersonal groups and workshops to MIT undergraduate and graduate students. 

 Discussion/Support Groups | Interpersonal Groups | Skills Groups | Workshops

Discussion/Support Groups

Latinx Group

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students who self-identify as Latinx/Latino/Latina. 
Meets: Thursdays 4–5 p.m., in person at Student Mental Health & Counseling, E23-376
Group facilitator: Jaime Francisco Matorras, LMHC 
Email jmatorras@med.mit.edu for pre-group screening.
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.

Graduate Student LGBTQ+ Process Group  

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.

Undergraduate LGBTQ+ Support Group

Open to: Undergraduate students of all identities
Meets: Day/time TBD, based on group members’ availability   
Group facilitator: Daniel Becker, LCSW dbecker@med.mit.edu
Description: Join us for a 10-week group therapy experience for all undergraduate students who identify anywhere along the LGBTQ+/queer spectrum in terms of sexual orientation and gender identity. This group will prioritize peer-based support alongside psychoeducation related to topics including identity formation, healthy relationship behaviors, healthy sexuality, intersectionality, and coping with legislation and current events.

Healing From Family Challenges

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students
Meets: Wednesdays, 4–5:15 p.m., in person at Student Mental Health & Counseling, E23-376
Group facilitator: Eliot Fearey, PhD efearey@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.

Confidential Support Group for Survivors of Sexual Violence   

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.  

Graduate Student Group

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.

Graduate Black Women’s Support Group 

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.

Graduate Women’s Support Group 

Open to: Graduate women
Meets: Wednesdays, 4–5:15 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.

Making Peace with Food Support Group 

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students 
Meets: Fridays 9–10 a.m. 
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.

Interpersonal Groups

Undergraduate Interpersonal Group

Open to: Undergraduate students
Meets: Thursdays, 5:30–6:45 p.m.
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. 

Skills Groups

Social Skills Group

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students
Meets: Thursdays, March 14–May 9,  2–3 p.m. The group will not meet on Thursday, March 28.
Group facilitators: Eileen Huttlin, MD, ehuttlin@med.mit.edu and Sevan Makhoulian, PhD, smakhoulian@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. 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Group (DBT) Skills Group 

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students
Meets: Tuesdays, 5–6:15 p.m., in person at Student Mental Health & Counseling, E23-376
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.

ADHD Information and Skill Group, Graduate

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.

ADHD Information and Skill Group, Undergraduate

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.

Graduate Thesis Group

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.

Workshops

Mindful Journaling

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students
Meets: Mondays, 3–4 p.m.,  in person at Student Mental Health & Counseling, E23-376
Group facilitator: Jaime Francisco Matorras, LMHC, jmatorras@med.mit.edu
Description: Start writing a journal in a flexible and mindful way. Explore different ways to write a journal. Approach the writing process mindfully, and experience the benefits for yourself. Already writing a journal? Join this workshop for new ideas and fresh motivation.

No previous journaling experience required. Workshop sessions will be held in Student Mental Health & Counseling (E23,  third floor).  

Four sessions:

• Mindful Gratitude — Monday, July 1, 4–5 p.m.
• Mindful journaling: joy and playing — Monday, July 8, 4–5 p.m.
• Mindful journaling: thoughts and feelings — Monday, July 15, 4–5 p.m.
• Mindful journaling: exploration of nature — Monday, July 22, 4–5 p.m.

Email Jaime Matorras at jmatorras@med.mit.edu to register. The workshop is limited to eight participants.

Do you have an idea for a group that would be helpful to MIT students and a good addition to our group counseling program? Email Eliot Fearey at efearey@med.mit.edu.