Counselling workshops and groups
Counselling workshops and groups are an effective way to get help for a variety of difficulties. For many problems, workshops and groups are better options than individual counselling. SCC groups and workshops are offered regularly throughout the year.
SCC workshops are available daily from September to the end of April and regularly through the summer. Workshops cover topics like stress management, conflict resolution, self-esteem, relationships and meditation. Workshops help students build skills for coping and do not require personal sharing. Please check below for our current workshop offerings.
SCC groups are different from workshops in that they are more than one session and you will have the same people in your group from week to week. Groups allow an opportunity for more in-depth help for your needs. Our groups focus on helping students with depression and anxiety, relationship challenges, substance use, attention and focus, grief, body image and more. Please check below for our current group offerings.
Students who have attended SCC workshops and groups have told us that they are very helpful and that they would recommend them to fellow students:
“The workshop gave me exactly what I needed.”
“It was nice to hear from other students and not feel as alone.”
“I wish the group could have gone on for more sessions.”
Who can attend our workshops and groups
Our workshops and groups can be used by UM and International College of Manitoba (ICM) students who are working on their degree requirements (i.e., undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in courses, graduate students working on research and writing, cooperative education students in a placement). This includes:
- Domestic and international students who are currently registered in studies (including cooperative education students in a work placement, graduate students working on their thesis)
- English Language Centre students at the UM
- Students under academic suspension or on a leave of absence
How to register
Contact us by telephone (204-474-8592) or in-person (474 UMSU University Centre). Our hours of operation are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm weekdays.
Process
The first person you will speak with will be one of our reception staff. They will begin by confirming that you’re eligible for services.
- Space permitting, you will be registered for the workshop or group and information will be provided to you about when the workshop or group will start.
- Some workshops and groups are only available to students living in Manitoba (due to professional regulations); please check with us to see which workshops and groups are available to you if are living in another province or country.
- SCC workshops are rarely full and are therefore very accessible – you can receive mental health support very quickly in a SCC workshop!
SCC Director David Ness and SCC Counsellor Danna McDonald from the Student Counselling Centre share more about the groups and workshops offered, and how they can be helpful tools for students.
Workshops
The following are a list of workshops available to students in Fall 2026
It's Over But It's Not: Understanding and Managing the Ongoing Impact of Trauma (Lori Mac)
This workshop is offered In-person and Zoom
Who is this workshop for?
Anyone who has experienced trauma. What is trauma? It can include physical or sexual assault, physical or sexual abuse, emotional abuse, experiencing a crime (e.g. mugging), bullying, experiencing a natural disaster, experiencing war, traffic accidents, sudden loss of someone through violence or suicide, or experiencing a life-threatening illness.
Topics covered and what you will learn:
If you have experienced a traumatic event that is continuing to affect you, consider attending this workshop to:
- Learn about and understand what happens in our bodies and brain when we experience trauma,
- This includes how your brain made the decision how to survive, not you
- Learn quick and effective strategies to calm and ground ourselves to manage triggers and anxiety
- This workshop is focused on learning and skill-building: increase your control over your body and reactions
No personal sharing about your specific experience happens in this workshop. Participants are not asked to speak.
Workshop details: 2:30-4:30 p.m. for 2 weeks in a row (part 1 & 2)
Length of workshop: 2 hours (120 minutes)
| Part 1 | Part 2 |
| August 17 (Zoom) | August 24 (Zoom) |
| September 24 (in-person) | October 1 (in-person) |
| October 22 (in-person) | October 29 (in-person) |
| November 26 (Zoom) | December 3 (Zoom) |
Students must be in Manitoba to attend Zoom sessions
Reviews: see what other students are saying about this workshop
- "The workshop was very well thought out and included lots of helpful information. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and believe I have learned more about trauma and ways of coping through this course than I have throughout my entire mental health journey. I didn’t feel like I was being force fed information as the delivery of the workshop was very relaxing and easy to follow".
- "I highly recommend it, I think the questions you had us answer [on our own] were insightful. It’s the kind of stuff you won't just forget about once the workshop ends. I have a feeling I'll be going back to those questions and really think on them long after the workshop ends. I think it also provided me with knowledge on how to address trauma in others’ lives".
- "It was helpful to be with others who have experienced trauma, knowing that I'm not alone. Understanding that my experience fits with known patterns for trauma and being given tangible coping strategies was helpful in making me feel more supported and more in control of my own life moving forward".
- "I loved the layout of it. The balance of the scientific facts and how that affects us emotionally. I also loved the prompts. This workshop really brought a lot of issues to light for me and gave me a lot of answers I have been searching for".
- "This course is a great first step for those looking to understand and overcome trauma. I would also recommend this to people who have explored their trauma in a therapeutic setting, but feel that they require another approach".
The Many Faces of ADHD Workshop Series
This workshop is offered In-Person at the SCC
Who this workshop is for:
This workshop is for ADHDers (diagnosed or self-diagnosed)
Topics covered and what you will learn:
ADHD doesn't have just one look, and it doesn't come with a single story. This workshop series will offer a space to connect, reflect, and learn about the diverse ways ADHD shows up in real life. Each session will focus on a different "face" of the ADHD experience.
Workshop details: Wednesdays from October 7-October 28
1:30 p.m.-3:30p.m.
Length of workshop: 2 hours (120 minutes)
October 7: Session 1: The Emerging Face: Starting the ADHD Journey
Unpack the emotional rollercoaster of a new diagnosis or self-discovery. The session will discuss common misconceptions of ADHD and allow space to process the identity shift that comes along with this new self-understanding.
October 14: Session 2: The Hidden Face: Understanding ADHD in Women
ADHD in women and girls often flies under the radar. This session dives into how ADHD shows up differently in women and the various challenges that comes along with being a neurodivergent woman.
October 21: Session 3: The Tender Face: Navigating Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria
Learn what RSD is, how it affects relationships and self-esteem, and discover tools to support emotional resilience.
October 28: Session 4: The Strengthened Face: Owning Your ADHD Story
Celebrate your growth and self-understanding. This session focuses on reclaiming your identity, recognizing your strengths, and shaping your ADHD story.
Reviews: See what other students are saying about this workshop.
"This workshop is a safe space to talk and get help.
The best part was that everyone was talking about their struggles and how they manage it."
Being There With Care: Supporting Someone Living with Trauma (Lori Mac)
This workshop is offered In-person & Zoom
The effects of trauma can live on past the traumatic experience(s), and carry into other parts of life and relationships.
Who this workshop is for?
This workshop is for anyone who has a someone in their life who has experienced trauma, and wants to learn more about the impact of trauma and how to both give support and take care of yourself.
Topics covered and what you will learn:
You will gain an introductory understanding of what trauma is, what happens in an individual’s body and brain when they experience trauma, why actions/reactions that seem confusing actually make sense from a trauma-informed perspective, the ongoing impact and challenges trauma can have and what is helpful in managing these, as well as how to respond when someone tells you they have experienced trauma.
Workshop details: Wednesdays 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Length of workshop: 2 hours (120 minutes)
| October 21 | in-person |
| November 25 | Zoom |
Students must be in Manitoba to attend Zoom sessions
Groups
The following are a list of groups available to students in Fall 2026
You’re Not Alone: A Support Group for Trauma Survivors (Lori Mac)
This group is offered in-person at the SCC
Who is this group is for:
Anyone who has experienced trauma and who has already attended Part 1 and Part 2 of this counsellor’s “It’s Over But It’s Not: Understanding and Managing the Ongoing Impact of Trauma” workshop. This is to ensure that everyone has the knowledge and skills from the workshop to draw on and share with one another. This group is a place to talk about the experience of trauma in a safe and supportive space, and to be with others who have a shared experience and can support one another.
Topics covered and what you will learn:
This group is focused on an open discussion related to the experience of going through and managing trauma, not discussing or sharing specific details of any one person’s trauma (i.e. sharing what happened to you), as that has been shown to not be helpful in a group setting. Discussion topics may include managing trauma symptoms, self-esteem, trusting self and others, understanding emotions, reactions, and symptoms, interacting with others and navigating relationships post-trauma, exploring shattered life assumptions, exploring new beliefs, exploring identity post-trauma, practicing calming and grounding strategies, or anything else that the group members agree would be helpful.
You may come to as many or as few sessions as you like or find helpful.
Group Details: Thursdays: 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm 1.5 hours (90 minutes)
November 5
December 10
Understanding and Healing from the Soul Wounds of Racialized Trauma (Michelle Pearson & Edgar French)
This group is offered in-person in Room 523 of the Multi-Faith and Spiritual Care Centre (5th Floor UMSU University Centre)
Racialized Trauma is the emotional and physical effects of racism and discrimination against people of colour. As racialized trauma is passed down through generations, it becomes decontextualized, but the trauma is internalized and remains in the body, nonetheless. Carrying this trauma in the body each day can lead to decreased feelings of safety and inclusion for Black, Indigenous, and Bodies of Culture.
Who is this group is for:
This 4-week group is for students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and Bodies of Culture and will focus on understanding the impact of racialized trauma.
You will find:
Students will be able to recognize how racialized trauma may be present in the body and learn individual and community healing strategies to help settle the body. This group will focus on active body practices and processing of feelings that arise within the body when considering racialized trauma.
The benefits of this group include increased sense of emotional and physical wellness, deepened sense of inclusion and belonging, processing and skill building on an individual and community level.
Group Details: Mondays from 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. 1.5 hours (90 minutes)
October 26, November 2, 9 and 16th.
Pay Attention! (Kim Kiley)
This group is offered via Zoom
Who is this group is for:
This group is for students who have been diagnosed with or suspect they have Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Although students are encouraged to attend all sessions of the group, students can attend as many or as few of the group topics as they desire.
Pre-registration is required for each group topic. Each session will cover a specific topic that is relevant for students with ADHD.
Topics covered and what you will learn:
- Managing My Attention and Focus
- Organizing Myself and My Time
- Managing My Distracting and Negative Thoughts
- Improving My Self-Esteem and Social Connections
- Understanding and Regulating My Emotions
Students will learn about how these topics relate to ADHD and discuss ways to manage these ADHD-related difficulties and draw upon ADHD-related strengths. The group also provides participants the opportunity to connect with other students with ADHD.
Group Details: Zoom: Thursdays May 28-June 25 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
| Date | Topic |
| May 28 | Managing My Attention and Focus |
| June 4 | Organizing Myself and My Time |
| June 11 | Managing My Distracting and Negative Thoughts |
| June 18 | Improving My Self-Esteem and Social Connections |
| June 25 | Understanding and Regulating My Emotions |
*Students must be in Manitoba to attend the Zoom sessions.
Reviews: see what other students are saying about this group
“Kim fostered an extremely safe and accepting environment which allowed students to share what they were comfortable with. I enjoyed being able to share my experiences and hear the experiences of other students. Each session provided helpful tips and information for students, but also (and more importantly, in my opinion) really well explained what was happening in the ADHD brain and why we are experiencing these things - all using kind language. The tips are of course helpful, but understanding why without placing any additional blame on myself was the most valuable takeaway.”
“Neurodivergence is greater than the sum of its parts, and it was great to have a space that validated all of my neurodivergence, not just the slice that is diagnosed as ADHD.”
“Really appreciated the opportunity to meet other folks with attention difficulties, share experiences, and hear about the common issues! It really made certain things "click" for me and explained a lot of the difficulties I've been having lately.”
“I liked that I was able to hear about and relate to other people's experience with ADHD. The information presented during the sessions also helped me to better understand my own experiences/issues and ways to deal with them, and to learn more about what ADHD is and how it affects one's everyday life.”
“If you are a student struggling with ADHD or want to feel more affirmed, then I advise you to join this group. Kim creates a welcoming atmosphere that encourages people to share their stories, thoughts, and feelings.”
Relationships: WTF! (Why They’re Frustrating) (Lori Mac)
This group is offered In-person at the SCC
Who this group is for?
Anyone who is feeling frustrated with family, friends, co-workers, or a romantic partner and anyone having difficulty relating to them, communicating, or getting along. It is also a great for anyone who would like to improve relationships that are going well.
Topics covered and what you will learn:
Learning what four empirically derived behaviors are a part of research that can predict relationship stability and satisfaction with over 90% accuracy & how to identify and manage them.
This group is intended to provide information about healthy relationships. You will explore and develop skills to better understand and manage your relationships with others. Participants will have an opportunity to discover their own strengths and style of relating, while gaining knowledge and resources.
Group Details: Mondays from October 19-November 30th.
No group on November 9th
Length of group: 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. 2 hours (120 minutes)
Reviews: see what other students are saying about this group
"Do it! The content given in this group, the work you do outside of it (reading/quizzes) is SUPER helpful, not just for a romantic relationship, but with friends/family - any relationship with another person."
"We were given the space to share our opinions about others' issues or questions. In my opinion, hearing others who have experiencing the issues I have experienced is as valuable as a professional counsellor. It also gives me a chance to see different responses to the same situation and help me to think differently than the way I am 'customized' to."
"Lori is very caring. It wasn't just giving out information about psychology but actually listening, understanding, and sorting things out. I will miss this group."
"It is a great space to reflect and learn. It provides very applicable tools."
"Lori was really great at creating a comfortable and safe space. Discussing the ideas and doing the readings was a great opportunity to reflect on things that we often take for granted."
Loss and Grief Support (Linda Churchill)
This group is offered in-person at the SCC
Who is this group is for:
This group is for those who have lost a loved one because of a death.
Topics covered and what you will learn:
- What is Grief?
- Emotions and Grief
- Styles of Grieving
- De-mystifying Grief
- Healthy Grieving
- and more depending on participant need
Group Details: This group will be created as more students come forward to register their interest. Once a maximum of 6-8 participants has been reached, the counsellor will contact everyone to ascertain best times for the majority. Please contact the SCC at 204-474-8592 to register.
Reviews: see what other students are saying about this group
"Attending this grief group was a meaningful experience. Being surrounded by others who shared a common lived experience made me feel less alone in my grief. Linda did a fantastic job navigating everyone’s emotional stories with compassion and care, creating a safe space to be vulnerable. Each session brought a deeper sense of connection and understanding that I truly appreciated. I looked forward to the weekly sessions, and honestly I wish it had lasted longer. I highly recommend it to anyone coping with loss and looking for a space to process, connect, and begin healing"
"After these 6 weeks, I still cannot believe that I have been able to openly express my grief, cry whenever I needed and show my weak side without feeling insecure or uncomfortable. The group is like a safe haven, giving me time and space to process my emotional grief in an understandable and supportive environment. I will never forget the sense of connection I felt with everyone, and I realized I am not alone in facing of my loss and death. The most supersizing part for me is reconnecting with the love and warmth once I received from my mom and grandmother, something that still stay with me for life."
Queerly Beloved (Karla Penner & Michelle Collins)
This group is offered in-person
Who is this group is for:
Queer students and allies in the UM student community who have experienced harm and hurt through your faith community* simply because of your identity, who you love, or who you support.
Queerly Beloved is a space to authentically show up, knowing you will be welcomed and supported, regardless of whether you:
- Have left your faith
- Are grappling with whether or not to stay
- Are choosing to remain part of your faith community
You will experience:
a gathering space for you to belong, to know, hear, and feel that you are beloved, to tell and process your story, and to receive the stories of others who have walked a similar path. We will explore ways of processing, healing, creating peace with identity, boundary making, loss and grief, the role or hope, and looking ahead to new ways of connection with your spiritual self and with community.
Queerly Beloved will be facilitated by Karla Penner, an SCC Counsellor who celebrates and delights in all of the Queer students she gets to cross paths with and Michelle Collins, a fully affirming and embracing Lutheran minister who is part of UM's Spiritual Care team.
*Students from all faith backgrounds and experiences are welcome.
Group Details: Tuesdays from September 29-November 3
Reviews: see what other students are saying about this group
"Appreciated the compassion of the facilitators and their willingness to learn. Through attending Queerly Beloved I was able to have weekly reminder that I am worthy and deserving."
"Queerly Beloved was helpful for finding people who relate to things that I find hard to connect with others about. It helped to remind me that I'm not alone."
"I took away the shared experiences of others that helped me feel normal. I became braver in reclaiming my identity."
Students on the Spectrum (SOS) (Karla Penner)
This group is offered in-person at the SCC
Who is this group is for:
Autistic students with official or self-diagnosis and students who suspect they may be Autistic. Students who are curious about whether they are Autistic are also welcome to join.
You will find:
A support group in a warm and welcoming space that is oriented around your unique needs and is adaptable to the struggles and challenges you face on a daily basis. The hope is that SOS is a place to experience connection, be listened to, understood, validated, informed, supported and feel less alone in your Autistic experiences. Students are invited to show up "as you are" without any expectations for masking, talking, contributing, etc. unless you choose to. You'll be welcome to move around, stim, and make yourself feel as safe and comfortable as you can in ways that work for you.
You will explore:
Masking, communication, emotions, navigating relationships, identity, self-advocacy, resources, etc. Group members mutually create the agenda and topics we explore.
Group Details: Mondays: September 28-November 9th
Length of Group: 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. 1.5 hours (90 minutes)
Reviews: see what other students are saying about this group
"Being someone who struggles to connect with others, SOS facilitated deep connections with other's experiences that I don't often feel."
"The most useful thing about SOS was learning how other students navigate the world with Autism. This resulted in me learning to face my challenges better and affirm the unique experiences that come with them."
"SOS was a welcoming and safe space to feel comfortable being myself."
Calm Mind/Calm Body: Somatic CBT for Anxiety and Worry (Michelle Pearson)
This group is offered in-person at the SCC and via Zoom
Somatic healing is a form of healing that recognizes the age old wisdom of the body to remember and heal. This group will utilize Somatic Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to recognize and understand how thoughts are experienced in the body (like tension, racing heart, sweaty hands, etc.) and how this can contribute to maintaining patterns of anxiety and worry. This enhanced awareness deepens our ability to identify patterns in thoughts, behaviors, emotions, and interactions in relationships that we may want to release and let go. This creates more independence and choice in utilizing strategies and skills for powerful and lasting changes. Somatic CBT is a highly effective approach for anxiety, worry, stress, low mood and trauma.
The goal of this group is to shift from merely understanding problems associated with worry and anxiety intellectually to experiencing, processing and changing them physically and emotionally.
Who is this group for?
Any student experiencing anxiety or worry.
Topics covered and what you will learn:
Your group therapist will use a variety of body-based strategies such as grounding, breath work, body movement and relaxation to calm the nervous system while noticing and working with thoughts associated with worry and anxiety.
Participants will learn a number of methods to self-soothe the body sensations associated with a stressed nervous system. Participants will also have an opportunity to notice how changing thoughts that stimulate the nervous system can lead to a calmer body and mind. This will increase the ability to cope more effectively with everyday anxiety and worry and contribute to achieving your goals and dreams.
Group Details: Wednesdays: October 14-November 18 (no session Nov. 11)
Length of Group: 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. 1.5 hours (90 minutes)
Taking Care in the Climate Emergency (Lisa Martens)
This group is offered in-person at the SCC
Who is this group for?
For Grad and Undergrad Students who want to connect with others who care deeply about the climate emergency.
Topics covered and what you will learn:
Check in and share ideas for coping, action, living with enormous systemic problems, and allowing good dreams.
Let's talk about engaging the climate emergency in ways that show care for the climate / world, our close relationships, and our 'internal worlds' of thoughts and emotions.
We'll use IFS and Narrative Therapy approaches, Acknowledgement of Grief, Humour, Gratitude for the incredible climate-response work already going on throughout the world, and other approaches to the Climate Crisis.
Group Details: Mondays: Oct. 5, 19, Nov. 2, 16
Length of Group: 12:45 p.m.-2:00 p.m. 1.25 hours (75 minutes)
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Contact Us
Student Counselling Centre (SCC)
474 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry Campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
204 474-8592
204 474-7558
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.