Counselling: Groups

Why join a group?
Counselling groups offer a microcosm of the ‘real’ world.  A group can allow you to practise different ways of behaving in a safe environment. Like if you find it difficult to talk in work or social groups, then you are also likely to feel this in a counselling group – but the difference is that the group can offer encouragement and help in overcoming the difficulty you feel rather than simply repeating a ‘failure’. The same applies to many other problems.

In joining a group you would be expected to listen carefully to the other members and seek to understand their concerns and support them wherever you can, as well as have time to receive support for yourself in the same nurturing environment. This giving and receiving is one way in which groups are different from individual counselling.

Groups offer an excellent environment in which to learn about ourselves and how we relate to others and about the often unconscious assumptions we make about ourselves and the world. They can be a place in which we can see ourselves through the eyes of others, and it is not uncommon to meet others who share some similar struggles and to discover that we are not the only person feeling a particular way.

What about the practicalities?
Most of our groups and workshops meet weekly for 90 minutes and tend to have between 6-10 members.   All groups are led by trained counsellors experienced in this kind of work.

Confidentiality is vital in all group work, and if you join a group you will be expected to respect the confidential nature of the material that others bring to the group. What this means in practice will be discussed with you before you join.

If you are considering joining any of our groups we would usually arrange a brief meeting between you and the relevant counsellor so that you can discuss the group in more detail before making a commitment to join.  Counsellors may also recommend alternate counselling services, such as individual counseling, if the selected group is deemed not appropriate.

What do we offer?
SFU Counselling Services offers the following groups:

Anxiety	Feel Calm... Feel Better	Self-Esteem	Club Manana
Socially Anxious and Loving Life	Skills for a Successful You	Grief	Assertiveness
Healthy Relationships	Personal Growth Therapy Group	Peace Program	Mindfulness
Just for the Laugh of it: Laughter Yoga

For more information and how to register, click here.

Not all groups are offered each semester. Those groups highlighted in blue are available now, please click on them for groups descriptions and registration details.

If you are interested in a group that is not presently offered please contact us with your interest at
778-782-4615 or email intake@sfu.ca. If we have sufficient interest in the group we will offer it as soon as possible.