University of California, Riverside

UCR Counseling Center




Group Therapy 




Group Therapy 

How To: Get Help in an Emergency

The Counseling Center has assembled several UCR and off-campus resources to help you.
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Share Your Concerns Safely and Confidently

Therapy groups allow students to work with others who share common concerns. Members talk about what is troubling them and give feedback and support in a safe, supportive environment. Interactions offer group members an opportunity to learn more about the way they interact with others and to try out new ways of behaving.

The first few sessions focus on the establishment of trust, allowing members to talk personally and honestly. Having each individual make a personal commitment to the group and its goals significantly fosters group trust.

Therapy groups usually have between 6 and 12 members and two clinicians. Groups meet weekly for 60 or 90 minutes and there is no session limit.

What's the Difference Between Therapy
and Skills Groups?

The Counseling Center offers therapy groups and skills groups. Skills groups are more structured than therapy groups, one hour long and have more of a workshop format than a counseling format.

Pre-Screening

Except for the skills groups, all prospective group members are required to attend a pre-group screening session. A pre-group screening and orientation session is a brief meeting with leader(s) before groups begin. The screening provides information about the group, and to determine if group therapy is best for each person. For more information, visit: (link to group brochure)

Ground Rules

Group sessions are confidential. Group members are asked not to disclose the content of sessions or to reveal the identity of members to others outside of group.

It is expected that you will come to group every week. If there is an urgent matter that prevents you from attending, please notify the group leader(s). You can leave a message with the Counseling Center front desk staff. Please be punctual. If, after a short period of time, you find that the group is not a fit for you, please let the group leader(s) know.

There is no limit to the number of group of sessions you can attend. If, after several sessions, you decide that the group is no longer the most appropriate form of help, we ask that you come to the group to tell group members of your decision, providing closure.

Did You Know?

The Counseling Center does not provide academic advising. For academic counseling, call 951-827-3411.
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A Counselor On Duty is available at the Counseling Center weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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All students who pay UCR registration fees are eligible for free Counseling Center services.
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The Counseling Center serves as a national test center for the LSAT and PRAXIS.
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Group therapy allows you to connect to others with similar concerns and to listen to shared issues.
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Couples Counseling is available for students and their partners or spouses.
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The Counseling Center has designed an online guide to help faculty and staff respond to distressed students.
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The Counseling Center staff includes licensed psychologists, marriage and family counselors, and pre-doctoral interns.
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Counselors are available by phone 24 hours daily by dialing 951-827-5531 or 951-UCR- TALK
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You can take an online assessment right now to see how you're doing emotionally.
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Everything you discuss with a UCR counselor is confidential unless it falls under the legal exceptions.
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Counselors are available for workshops and presentations, including weekly meditation classes.
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Therapy Groups

Groups are offered depending on the needs and interests of students. If you are interested in participating in a group, please call the Counseling Center to obtain more information. Group times and dates will be determined by interest and will vary.

If you are a current Counseling Center client, please talk with your counselor about being referred for a group. If you are not a client, please make an Intake appointment prior to signing up by calling or visiting the Counseling Center. Once referred, you will typically be scheduled for a brief screening appointment with the person who is leading or co-leading the group.

Skills Groups

Skills groups are typically one hour long and involve anywhere from 3-10 session commitment. Skills groups are more structured than therapy groups and have more of a workshop format than a counseling format. In skills groups, one or more clinicians provide psychological information and provide opportunities for members to apply the concepts they are learning to their real, everyday lives.

Student interested in skills groups should call the Counseling Center to sign up. You will need to complete some brief paperwork prior to the first meeting.

More Information 

General Campus Information

University of California, Riverside
900 University Ave.
Riverside, CA 92521
Tel: (951) 827-1012

Department Information

UCR Counseling Center
Veitch Student Center, North Wing

Tel: (951) 827-5531
Fax: (951) 827-2015

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