The Counselling & Mental Health Service runs thematic support groups every term during the academic year. The purpose of a support group is twofold. Firstly, to bring together students in similar situations or facing the same challenges, to exchange and share their stories in a confidential space, and secondly to receive guidance and support from an experienced Practitioner from the Service. Support groups are therefore peer support groups with a therapeutic dimension built into their design.

Once a student has been offered a place and committed to being part of the group, the group registration closes. For six consecutive weeks the group meets for an hour and a half. Ground rules of responsibility and safety and confidentiality of the space are agreed, with the guidance of the qualified group facilitators. The relationship between the members of the group develops as experiences are shared.

It is not possible for newcomers who have not been present from the start of the group to join. The evolving group dynamic helps to provide the therapeutic dimension to the group. For this reason, it is not appropriate to be in personal therapy as well as in one of our groups.

Students can email the Service at any time to let us know that they are interested in joining a group. If a group has already started or is about to start, then their name will be added to a list for the following group.

Workshops and webinars are one-off events and open to all.

Michaelemas Term

PhD support group: register before 18th October to join the group commencing this term

Estrangement support group: register before 18th October to join the group commencing this term

International discussion group: register before 18th October to join the group commencing this term

Epiphany Term

Bereavement support group: registration is open for a group commencing in Epiphany term 22