Why Group?
Groups can help you gain support, share experiences and struggles, learn about yourself, and develop skills to relate to others. Students who participate in group therapy tend to feel less isolated, more self-aware, and more connected to others as a result of being in group.
Support groups are open to all Penn undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. More detailed information about each group can be found below.
Group Guidelines
- All students must abide by the following group guidelines:
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Group sessions are confidential. Group members are bound ethically not to disclose information about the group. Regular and timely attendance is necessary for relationships to develop and for you to have sufficient continuity to get as much as you can out of group. If you truly must miss group, please let the leader(s) know as soon as possible.
- If after the initial commitment the group does not feel like a good fit or at some point you feel as though you have gotten all you need from the group, it is important that you inform the group and give the other members the opportunity to say goodbye.
- You are encouraged to take your own pace in group. However, you get more out of group if you work on the concerns that brought you to the group through active participation.
- You may be referred to group during your initial assessment if your counselor believes that your needs would be best met in a group setting.
- Most group leaders prefer to conduct a group intake in which they meet with you individually to learn about what you’re looking for, to give you specific information about how the group works, and to help you decide if the group seems like a good fit.
- *All groups will take place at the Student Health and Counseling office at 3624 Market Street, First Floor West.
If you have interest or questions about any groups that may not be listed here, please reach out to the Group Coordinator, Dr. Mary Brennan at marybr@upenn.edu.
The following Groups and Workshops are OPEN for Registration.
Please note: all groups will take place at 3624 Market Street, First Floor West, unless an alternative address is stated. Reach out to the Student Health and Counseling team for information about group sessions by calling 215-746-WELL (9355).
- Divergent Support Group
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Weekly on Tuesdays from 3-4:30 pm starting on Tuesday, 3/18
This group is designed for any student who is interested in understanding more about neurodivergence (ADHD, autism) and a place to process the impact and stress of living in a neurotypical world. This group is also for anyone who wants to learn more about how to be supportive and better understand the neurodivergent people in your life, including yourself! We welcome all brain types to join in the joy of exploring divergent ways of being!
This support space will be ongoing, and we welcome anyone to drop-in for one or all our meetings. Students may join at any point in the semester. This is open to undergraduate, graduate and professional students.
To join, please email Laura Kay Collins (collaura@upenn.edu) and Lang Qin (langq@upenn.edu) to register for this group or to ask any questions you may have
- International Student Empowerment Group
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Weekly on Thursdays, from 3-4:15pm
Supportive and safe space to build meaningful connections and share useful information and resources for all graduate, undergraduate, and professional students.
For additional information, questions, or assistance with registration please email: avelezg@upenn.edu, miaotian@upenn.edu. - Mindfulness Workshop
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Weekly on Wednesdays, from 4-5:15 pm
Mindfulness is a practice to assist in reducing stress, bringing an open-hearted awareness to life. In this introductory workshop series, students will have an opportunity to practice mindfulness and apply this practice in daily life. We encourage participation in all four sessions. Register here.
For additional information, questions, or assistance with registration please email: moriconi@upenn.edu or mreiff@upenn.edu.
- Substance Use and You
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Weekly on Wednesdays, from 5-6 pm
This group is designed for Penn students who are reassessing their relationship with substance use. This is a confidential group, not an AA group or a 12-step group. Students with a willingness to examine what is happening around their use of substances are welcome. There is no requirement of abstinence (though some attendees may choose that), nor is there a requirement of regular weekly attendance, although that is a good way to get the most out of the group experience. Students may join at any point in the semester. A brief screening meeting is needed beforehand to ensure that students are matched appropriately to the group.
Learn about Wellness at Penn's SUPER Program (Substance Use, Prevention, Education, and Recovery).Email Phil Meilman, PhD, Director of Counseling at meilman@upenn.edu to learn more and to register for this group.
- Support Group for Victims/Survivors of Sexual Assault
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Weekly on Thursdays (beginning March 6), from 2-3:15 pm
This group is open to Penn graduate and undergraduate students who have experienced sexual assault in adolescence and/or adulthood. The group will aim to offer support, collective empowerment, and psychoeducation and participants will choose weekly topics related to healing, reestablishing safety, coping, and self-care. Bramble and Julia will meet with all interested members for a brief screening. Please email them to schedule a screening or learn more about the group. This is a closed group that meets in-person, new members will not be added after the group begins.
Register for this group by email: bramble@upenn.edu or sauljul@upenn.edu.
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Mandarin Community Support Group 中文社群互助小组
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Weekly on Thursdays from 3-4:30 pm
Facilitated by mental health professionals, this Mandarin Community Support Group aims to provide members of the Mandarin-speaking community with a safe and confidential space to provide therapeutic support for each other, build meaningful connections, and share helpful coping techniques and resources. It is open to all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who speak Mandarin.
由⼼理师带领，中⽂社群⼼理互助⼩组旨在为中⽂学⽣群体提供⼀个保密和安全并能互相⽀持的场域，以建⽴同侪间的连结，彼此分享有帮助的⼼理应对技巧与资源。 由⼼理師帶領，中⽂社群⼼理互助⼩組旨在為中⽂學⽣群體提供⼀個保密和安全並能互相⽀持的場域，以建⽴同儕間的連結，彼此分享有幫助的⼼理應對技巧與資源。
Register for this group by email: Jojo Yao (yaot@upenn.edu) Rongyu Xin (xinr1@upenn.edu)
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It Takes a Village
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Virtually via Zoom on Wednesdays from 1-2 pm (starting April 9)
This support group is open to any student who identifies as a parent and/or caregiver of a child. The group is designed to provide a nonjudgmental and emotionally safe space to explore various topics and help guide participants throughout their academic and caregiver journey. Group themes and topics will include:
- April 9: Introductions and Understanding why ‘The Struggle is Real’
- April 16: Identity Development: B.C and A.C. (before and after children)
- April 23: Navigating the Emotional Roller Coaster
- April 30: Managing Fears
- May 7: Dealing with Perfectionism
- May 14: Self Care: You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup
Register for this group by emailing Isra Abuyounis at israa@upenn.edu or Chelsea Minsky at cminsky@upenn.edu
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Graduate Student Support Group
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Weekly on Wednesdays from 11 am - Noon (from April 9th-April 30th)
This group is designated for any graduate student to provide support around stress and anxiety, relationships, and loneliness. Examples of topics that may be discussed include dealing with difficult advisors or labs; self-esteem and the challenges of academia, family, and navigating multiple roles.
Email Sarah Neely Biren at snbiren@upenn.edu or Grace Kennedy at kennedy5@upenn.edu to register.