Advantages of Participating in a Group

Group Descriptions

Aberdeen Area Groups
(a directory of groups in the Aberdeen area)

NSU Groups
(a list of groups available at NSU)

Advantages to Participating in a Group

Many times people only think about individual counseling to help them with their challenging personal issues. Although groups aren't for everyone, there are some distinct advantages to participating in a group:

• Feel more connected:  Often people enter counseling believing that their problems are unique. Groups provide the opportunity for participants to see that they are "part of the human race". There is not a thought or an action that is fully outside of the experience of others. A group experience has the potential of helping people feel less alone and less "different" from others.

• Explore issues:  In group counseling, members are given the opportunity to receive support, reassurance, suggestions, and insights from other members. This occurs in a small group setting, where members agree to keep what is said confidential. This atmosphere of safety helps members take the necessary risks to explore their concerns.

• Gain Insight:  Group counseling can help participants feel hopeful about making and maintaining changes in their lives or in themselves. People tend to have patterns of behavior or ways of interacting that repeat themselves across different relationships. Usually these patterns come from our experiences growing up. A group allows these patterns to become more visible because of the opportunity to interact with several different people. When these patterns become more visible, the group member can make desired changes.

• Learn new skills:  As group members learn about their patterns of behavior, they also learn new behaviors and skills that can help them become more effective in relationships. A group counseling setting is a safe place in which to "try out" these new skills, and get both support and positive feedback from others. Groups provide an opportunity to observe the improvement other members make, and also to learn how people with similar concerns may have coped with them in more effective ways.

• Help others grow:  Just as the individual in a group benefits from insights given from other members, s/he is allowed the opportunity to give to other group members. Helping others with their issues and concerns, and becoming important to others, usually raises a person's self-esteem.

Descriptions of Typical Counseling Center Groups
The Counseling Center offers a variety of groups each semester. Listed below are many of the groups we usually offer. Flyers are posted each semester indicating the groups that are available. If you are interested in any of the groups, please call or come by the Counseling Center. You will be asked to register your interest and submit a semester schedule. Group times will be determined according to registered participants’ schedules.  All groups require a pre-group interview.

• Accepting Your Body
  A group for students who would like to improve their feelings and thoughts about the body, especially the one they occupy. This group is designed to help members explore self-messages that may lead to a negative body image and improve self-acceptance.
• Relationship Issues
  This group is designed to help those who find relationships difficult by providing support and information.
• Sexual Abuse Recovery Group
  For those in the process of recovering from the traumatic effects of incest and childhood sexual abuse. Our focus will be on discovering ways to heal, empower yourself, and get on with your life.
• Stand Up for Yourself
  Learn how to be assertive and get your needs met. This assertiveness training group will meet for six weeks and will cover assertiveness skills such as effective communication, setting personal boundaries, and improving confidence.
• Stress Management
  A short-term group for individuals who wish to develop healthier ways to understand, assess and cope with stress. Learn relaxation techniques and behavioral/thinking strategies to reduce stress.
• Personal Growth Group
  A group for individuals who desire a safe place to receive support and to openly share concerns and experiences regarding personal and relationship issues.
• Grief and Loss
  The goals of this group is for students to be able to confidentially share their feelings related to experiences of grief or loss. Meet with others in a supportive atmosphere, and gain a better understanding of how to cope when going through emotionally difficult times.

If you are interested in any of the groups, please call 605-626-2371 or come by the Counseling Center in Student Center 217.