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Sometimes the best way to work on personal change is within a group setting. Group therapy provides the opportunity to share and learn from others, to improve specific skills, and to receive honest feedback and support. All group therapy options at PAWS are free and confidential. Students must be registered for classes in the current quarter to join a group. Groups typically meet weekly, in person for 60-90 minutes over the course of the quarter, and members have the option to return each term. Facilitators and members agree to maintain confidentiality and discuss any issues that may affect confidentiality.
Reach out to PAWS by calling (253) 692-4522 or emailing uwtpaws@uw.edu to learn more and to join a group.
Group therapy is open to all students. Students do not have to be a current PAWS client to join a group.
Group Therapy Options
Understanding Self & Others
Understanding Self and Others is a weekly process group for students who hope to connect with others by sharing personal experiences. By attending, group members can increase their understanding of themselves and their relationships, practice new ways of communicating and have authentic experiences while giving and receiving support. In previous groups, members have worked on assertive communication, boundaries, discussing difficult family dynamics, loss, loneliness, overall communication difficulties, identity concerns, etc. A short meeting with one of our psychologists is required to participate. This group will be held in person, quarterly, in MAT 354. Previous individual therapy experience is preferred to join this group.
Social Skills Group
The Social Skills Group provides a safe space to learn about and practice valuable social skills. By attending group you’ll learn to navigate everyday social interactions and practice common social scenarios. We strive to help you build meaningful relationships with friends, coworkers and romantic partners, while creating connection and understanding in Group. Members will benefit from learning to make friends, work effectively in groups, and improve verbal and non-verbal communication. Group participants can expect to work on expressing themselves openly, increase empathy, manage emotions, and handle change or disappointment. Previous Social Skills groups have also worked on handling embarrassment, public speaking and managing anxiety in social interactions.
BIPOC Support Group
This BIPOC-led weekly therapy group is open to all BIPOC students looking for mental health support, connection and healing. The group aims to uplift and support its members and create space for dialogue and growth, while addressing academic and social challenges faced by BIPOC students. Topics may include navigating multiple cultural identities and spaces, family dynamics and responsibilities, experiences of micro/macro-aggressions, racial and generational trauma and healing, imposter syndrome, systemic and political oppression, etc. This group meets weekly, in person for 90 minutes over the course of the quarter, and members have the option to return each term. Facilitators and members agree to maintain confidentiality and discuss any issues that may affect confidentiality.
Mindfulness Workshops
Psychological and Wellness Services offer mindfulness workshops throughout the quarter based on student interest. Mindfulness is a scientifically researched and powerful method for reducing stress, managing pain, increasing focus, regulating emotions, and increasing one’s sense of wellbeing and happiness. In this open group you will learn mindfulness through a variety of guided awareness exercises which include body relaxation, breathing, and movement. Please contact PAWS if interested in participating in a mindfulness workshop.
Healthy Minds
Psychological and Wellness Services will be offering a Healthy Minds group this quarter. The healthy minds group is for students who would like help managing stress, depression, and anxiety. Students who attend will learn about behavioral, cognitive, and emotional aspects of wellness and have opportunities to develop stress reduction and relaxation skills. Some of these skills include mindfulness, diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and self-care/social-care scheduling. The group consists of three, 45-minute sessions.
Art Expression Group
An in-person, 6-week group for current UWT students Psychological and Wellness Services will be holding a weekly art therapy, self-expression group over winter quarter. This group will be held in MAT 354 on Thursdays from 12-1 beginning (dates TBD). Attendees will have the opportunity to express themselves through means such as poetry, music, pottery, drawing and other various crafts. They will also have the chance to connect with other students and destress. Overall, art therapy relieves stress, increases self-esteem and allows us to connect with ourselves and others through artistic expression.
