Group Counseling
Group therapy is frequently the treatment of choice for college students. If group therapy has been recommended to you it’s because your counselor believes that it is the best way to address your concerns. What is talked about in group is completely confidential and not discussed with anyone outside of group sessions. Group members will receive detailed descriptions of what confidentiality entails in a Pre-Group meeting with group leaders. All groups will be offered over a videoconference platform in the fall of 2020.
How Group Counseling Works
Group counseling brings together a small number of individuals (usually 8-10) with one or more trained group leaders. Group members share what is troubling them. The process of sharing with each other, listening to each other, giving and receiving feedback, offering support and expressing their feelings about what someone else says or does can be extremely helpful. Group members begin to see that they are not alone. This interaction encourages individuals to develop new ways of behaving and learning more about how they interact with others. As a result, the original difficulties people brought to group become resolved.
Joining A Group
Interested students can schedule an initial appointment by calling (309) 438-3655. The counselor can help the student decide if one of the groups would be the most effective treatment for them.
General Process Groups
Student counseling services offers approximately 10 General Process Groups per semester. Students involved in the groups have a variety of different goals and presenting concerns. These groups provide supportive environments for students to give and receive feedback, offer support, express feelings, and share concerns.
Topical Groups
There are a variety of topical Groups offered at Student Counseling Services.
Student of Color Process Group
The Student of Color process group provides a safe and supportive space for students of color to make sense of and give voice to the wide range of feelings. It is designed to provide space for students to openly engage in dialogues around issues and concerns related to what it means to be a student of color in an academically rigorous and predominantly white environment. Such dialogue will occur in a therapeutic environment with qualified therapists facilitating the group process. Central themes to be discussed may include but are not limited to: academic concerns, family & romantic relationships, sexism, racism, micro-aggressions, imposter syndrome, stereotype threat, self-awareness, self-esteem, emotional health issues and other stressors related to being a person of color in this environment. Group members will also have an opportunity to provide and receive feedback related to how others experience them within the group context.
LGBTQ+ Process Group
The LGBTQ+ processgroup is dedicated to students who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. The purpose of this group is to provide a safe space for students to fully be themselves and develop community with peers on campus. This group allows for students to work through a variety of presenting concerns, while receiving feedback and support from their peers in the group. Topics may include (but are not limited to): family and romantic relationships, coming out, exploring your identity, academics, view of self, self-esteem, prejudice, and navigating life on campus.
Eating Disorder/Body Image Process Group
The Eating Disorder/Body Image Process Group is designed to provide a safe and healing space for individuals who are recovering from eating disorders, disordered eating, and/or body dissatisfaction.