Why Group Therapy?
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 currently 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).
- Mindfulness Workshop
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Weekly on Wednesdays from 4-5:15 pm (from October 22 through November 19)
This introductory 5-week workshop series on Cultivating Mindfulness with Compassion includes practices which can be incorporated with ease into daily life, to:
- Reduce stress
- Enhance wellbeing
- Develop compassion for self and others
- Foster non-judgmental, present-moment awareness
We encourage but do not require participation in all five sessions. For additional information, questions, or assistance with registration please email: moriconi@upenn.edu or mreiff@upenn.edu.
- International Student Empowerment Group
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Weekly on Wednesdays from 3:30-5 pm (from September 24 to December 11)
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. - Support Group for Victims/Survivors of Sexual Assault
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Weekly on Thursdays from 3-4:30 pm (beginning October 23)
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 (from October 2 - December 4; no group meetings on October 9 or November 27)
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)
- Interpersonal Growth Group
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Weekly on Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 3-4:30 pm (beginning September 30 and October 1)
The interpersonal growth group is focused on helping students learn about themselves in relationships and explore and change their relational patterns.
To learn more or to register for this group on Tuesdays, email Mary Brennan at marybr@upenn.edu or Zarria Stephens zarrias@upenn.edu.To register for this group on Wednesdays, email Julia Venuto sauljul@upenn.edu, and Courtney Wright wrightc0@upenn.edu.
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It Takes a Village
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Weekly on Wednesdays from 1 - 2:30 pm (beginning September 24). This group will be held virtually via Zoom.
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 safe and understanding environment for students to connect with one another, share experiences, reduce isolation, and to provide practical and emotional support to each other.
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 Tuesdays from 3-4:30 pm (from September 30 - December 9)
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. Register for this group by emailing Angelica Velez-Giraldo avelezg@upenn.edu and Janeyshka Ortiz-Flores ortizfl7@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.
- Gender Expansive Group
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Weekly on Fridays from 11am-12:30pm.
This group is open to any student seeking to explore gender identity and related experiences. The group aims to create a safe and nonjudgmental space for students to support one another and reflect on topics such as self-concept, gender, sexuality, relationships, academics, families, and resilience.
To learn more or register for this group, please email Alex Weis at weisa@upenn.edu.
The following groups and workshops are currently CLOSED for registration. Many of these groups will return for the Fall 2025 semester. Please continue to check the website for updated group information.
- First-Generation Professional/Graduate Student Process Group
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DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED
A supportive, process-oriented space around individual and shared experiences. Topics that may include navigating college, personal and professional relationships, family, culture, and resiliency.
- Sexual and Romantic Orientation Process Group
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DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED
This group offers a nonjudgmental and supportive space for students to explore their identities and experiences, including topics like sexual and romantic identities, intersectionality, gender, dating, family relationships, and community. Open to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, it’s ideal for those seeking to build trust and safety through weekly in-person meetings.
- Ramadan Reflections: Navigating Your Mental Health During Ramadan
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DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED
A safe space to share experiences around mental health and wellbeing during Ramadan, build community, and increase self-compassion.
- Grief Support Group
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DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED
A safe supportive space for students to share feelings and experiences associated with grief and bereavement. and to receive support.
- Mindful Management: Executive Functioning Support Group
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DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED
We will explore the emotional processes of having difficulty with executive functioning. Come join us as we identify practical support and strategies specific to the organizing, planning and prioritization of tasks.