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 during Winter 2025
Communications and Conflict: Skills to Build Positive Relationships and Improve Your Interactions with Others (Lori Mac)
This workshop is offered in-person & Zoom
Who this workshop is for?
Anyone who would like to learn information and practical strategies to maintain and enhance their relationships with others. This workshop applies to all types of relationships, e.g., friends, family, partners, peers, co-workers, etc.
Topics covered and what you will learn:
Stress from life and school can and often does create stress in relationships we have with others. This workshop will focus on research derived, practical and effective strategies for maintaining and enhancing your relationships. Learn what can predict relationship stability and satisfaction with over 90% accuracy. You'll also learn strategies and skills to communicate and address conflict:
- Learn specific strategies and skills to communicate and address conflict in a way that may be easier for others to hear without compromising the integrity of your message
- Learn about conflict styles and non-verbal communication
- Gain skills to address behaviours that get in the way of connecting and communicating with others, including the four behaviours that have been empirically shown to be most damaging to communicating and building positive relationships
Workshop details: Thursdays: 10:00-12:00 p.m. 2 hours (120 minutes)
- January 30 (Zoom)
- February 27 (Zoom)
- March 27 (in person)
- May 1 (Zoom)
- June 5 (in person)
- Grad Steps: Friday, March 14, 1:30-3:30 p.m. (Zoom)
Students must be in Manitoba to attend the Zoom workshops.
Reviews: see what other students are saying about this workshop
- "Please go! After taking this workshop, all I could think was wow, I wish everyone I know would go to this. It was so helpful!"
- "This is helpful for all relationships when approaching conflict or even improving them even when not in conflict. The skills are applicable in the moment and preventative as well."
- "I liked the fact I could relate to many of the scenarios, and my questions were answered without needing to ask. It is definitely worth the time investment, both in and out of it."
- "This is such a useful workshop. We cannot go through life without any sort of conflict, but learning how to deal with those situations in a more productive way is a skill that everyone should learn".
- "Very informative and helpful session not only for studies but for life... must go for it".
It's Over But It's Not: Understanding and Managing the Ongoing Impact of Trauma (Lori Mac)
This workshop is offered in-person & 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: Thursdays: 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
Jan. 30 (Zoom) Feb. 6 (Zoom)
Feb. 27 (Zoom) Mar 6 (Zoom)
Mar 20 (in person) Mar 27 (in person)
May 1 (Zoom) May 8 (Zoom)
Jun 5 (in person) Jun 12 (in person)
Jul 10 (Zoom) Jul 17 (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".
Learning to Cope (Kim Kiley)
This workshop is offered in-person
Who this workshop is for: This workshop series is designed for students who would like to learn strategies to cope with difficulties that are common among university students.
Topics covered and what you will learn:
Each session focuses on a specific topic: Procrastination, Perfectionism, Sleep, and Low Self Esteem. Students will learn about these topics and coping strategies to start addressing these difficulties.
Workshop details: Wednesdays 2:30-4:00 p.m. 1.5 hours (90 minutes)
February 19: Procrastination
February 26: Low Self-Esteem
March 5: Sleep Difficulties
March 12: Perfectionism
Reviews: see what other students are saying about this workshop
"The workshop gave me many tools to use on a daily basis and I learned a lot of things that I can incorporate in my daily life."
"The worksheets helped a lot, instructions were straight forward. I left the workshop in a better mood."
Luck Isn’t Everything: Creating your own Career Opportunities (Lori Mac)
This workshop is offered on Zoom
Who is this workshop for?
Grad Students who are thinking about or in the process of career planning
Topics covered and what you will learn:
Learn how you can create unexpected opportunities for yourself by recognizing and including chance events into your career plan
Workshop details: Thursday, February 13 2:30-4:00
1.5 hours (90 minutes)
Only for Grad Students (can register via Grad Steps)
Students must be in Manitoba to attend the Zoom sessions.
Reviews: see what other students are saying about this workshop
- "This workshop will provide a bit of comfort about the future knowing that there are a large number of things you can control and do to help with job opportunities."
- "The instructor provided a lot of useful examples and approaches for implementing planned happenstance in career planning."
- "If you're feeling uncertain about your approach to career development or other more general contexts, you may find this workshop to be quite useful for re-evaluating your outlook
- You will learn some new skills about creating your own career opportunities."
- "To know about the concept of happenstance was the most useful thing about the workshop and it was great to know that any effort made counts towards the goal."
Mid-Day Mindfulness (Tim Osachuk)
This workshop is offered in-person at the SCC
Who this workshop is for: This is a single session workshop and is open to any UM student. No previous experience with mindfulness-based meditation is required.
What you will learn: In each session, participants are introduced to the practice of mindfulness to become more aware and accepting of their experiences non-judgmentally, allowing them to respond to stressful situations in a different way.
Workshop details: Wednesdays 12:30-1:30 p.m. 1 hour (60 minutes)
January 2025-June 2025
Relationships: Coping With the Loss of a Romantic Relationship (Lori Mac)
This workshop is offered on Zoom
Who this work is for:
Anyone who has experienced the break-up of a romantic relationship and would like support to begin to process the loss. Participants will learn some information about the process and about themselves, and gain some resources and suggestions for next steps.
Topics covered and what you will learn:
- Stages of a break-up and the emotions involved
- Grief and coping
- Self-care
- Learning from the past
- Identity
- Self-esteem
- Learning about letting go
Workshop details: Tuesday, March 11 2:30-5:30 p.m. (Zoom)
3 hours (180 minutes)
Students must be in Manitoba to attend
Reviews: see what other students are saying about this workshop
- "I say do it. If you're in a rough place and need some help getting out of it, you're definitely going to get something good out of this workshop. It's a step forward towards trying to be there for yourself, whether that'd be for present you, or future you."
- "This experience helped me clear things and open up."
- "It's nice to feel validated about strong feelings that one might be feeling in regards to breakups. It's definitely helpful knowing that there is hope in knowing that things can get better."
- "The tips and guidance helped a lot."
Self-Compassion (Danna McDonald)
This monthly workshop is offered in-person at the SCC
Who this workshop is for: Students of any gender who want to increase their sense of contentment and self-worth, reduce perfectionism or harsh self-talk, and have a more peaceful relationship with themselves.
Topics covered and what you will learn:
Self-compassion is a way of approaching our thoughts and feelings with kindness. But it is not just about being nicer to ourselves; research on self-compassion shows that it can increase our motivation and reduce self-blame and self-criticism. Each session will introduce the idea of self-compassion and offer a different activity, and participants are welcome to attend one or several of the sessions.
Workshop details: Offered monthly on Mondays 12:30-1:30 p.m.
1 hour (60 minutes)
January 20
February 10
March 10
Stress & Wellness 101 (Various Counsellors - please call us)
This workshop is offered in-person at the SCC and Zoom
Everyone experiences stress at times and this is definitely true for university students. It is also common for people and students to feel overwhelmed by stress and to struggle to cope and manage. The Student Counselling Centre has developed a three session workshop series to help students manage stress and wellness. Each workshop is unique and students can attend any that they would like – you do not need to attend all three but we do recommend doing so to get the most out of the workshop series.
Who this workshop is for: This workshop series is for any student looking to develop skills to improve coping when faced with life challenges and feeling stressed and distressed.
What you will learn: Across all three workshops you will learn to: notice and identify triggers and factors contributing to stress in your life; develop and identify strategies to help you; and expand your awareness about resources available to you both on and off campus.
Topics covered include:
Session 1: Foundations of Wellness (S1):
- Self-compassion and forgiveness
- Importance of nutrition, ways to improve sleep
- Stress reduction strategies
Session 2: Calming Your Body (S2):
- Strategies for reducing the stress in body including breathing techniques
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Visualization activities and TIPP skills
Session 3: Calming Your Mind (S3):
- Mindful observation of thoughts
- "ABC's" of paying attention to thoughts
- Unhelpful thinking traps and strategies for challenging negative thinking
- Being more self-supportive
Workshop details:
Length of Workshop: 1 hour 50 Minutes (110 minutes)
Thursdays: 1:00-2:50 p.m.
Jan. 9, 16, 23
*Mondays:10:30-12:20 p.m. (Zoom)
Jan. 27, Feb. 3, 10
Thursdays: 10:00-11:50 a.m.
Feb. 13, 20, 27
Wednesdays: 1:30-3:20 p.m.
Feb. 26, Mar 5, 12
Thursdays: 1:00-2:50 p.m.
Mar. 13, 20, 27
Mondays 10:30-12:15 p.m.
Mar. 31, Apr. 7, 14
Thursdays 1:00-2:50 p.m.
Apr. 17, 21, May 1
Wednesdays 2:30-4:20 p.m.
May 7, 14, 21
*Jan, 27, Feb. 3 & 10 on Zoom
Students must be in Manitoba to attend Zoom sessions
What Other Factors Contribute to Overall Health & Well Being as a University Student (Michelle Pearson)
Who is this workshop for? A five session stand-alone workshop series to help students recognize other factors that may be contributing to their academic performance and sense of overall well being.
Topics covered:
- Feb 3: Managing Anticipatory Anxiety When Prepping for Tests and Exams
- Feb. 10: Impostor Syndrome
- Feb. 24: Boundaries & Assertiveness
- Mar. 3: Conflict Resolution
- Mar. 10: Choosing Harm Reduction Strategies When Big Issues Arise
Workshop details: Mondays 10:30-12:00 p.m. 1.5 hours (90 minutes)
Groups
The following are a list of groups available to students in Winter 2025.
Enneagram: Understanding & Enhancing Your Life (Marlene Pomrenke)
This group is offered in-person at the SCC
This three session group explores the Enneagram and leads students into a path of self-discovery. Using the nine spaces of the Enneagram as tools, students can begin to explore personality types as well as finding ways to bring balance into their lives. Benefits include insight into self, relationships. As well, understanding the symbols of the Enneagram calls attention and understanding to each part of ourselves, Head, Heart and Body. Unlocking this tool promotes personal growth and helps us to understand the connections between personality, essence and spirituality.
Group Details:
Tuesdays: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Jan. 21, 2025
Jan. 28, 2025
Feb. 4, 2025
Healing the Soul Wounds of Racialized Trauma (Michelle Pearson and Edgar French)
This group is offered in-person at the Spiritual Care and Multi-Faith Centre Group Room 5th Floor University Centre Room 524.
Who is this group for:
This six week group is for students who identify as BIBOC (Black, Indigenous Bodies of Culture) who are seeking to heal the soul wounds of Racialized trauma. We will focus on understanding the impact of Racialized trauma, recognizing how Racialized trauma may be presenting in the body and learning individual and community healing strategies to help settle the body.
Topics covered and what you will learn :
This group will focus on active body practices and processing of feelings that arise within the body when considering Racialized trauma.
Group details:
Tuesdays from 1:00 to 2:15 pm with an optional additional 15-minute holding space for students who may need time to settle before returning to their day.
Jan. 21, 2025
Jan. 28, 2025
Feb. 4, 2025
Feb. 11, 2025
Loss & Grief Support for Students (Linda Churchill)
This group is offered in-person at the SCC
Who this group is for: This is a group for students who have lost a loved one because of death.
What you will learn: Students will encounter other students who are living with the impact of loss. In facilitating this group, Linda's role is to help establish a safe and respectful space for participants to openly share their experience, share memories of their loved ones, and learn healthy ways to take care of their grief.
Topics include but are not limited to:
- "What is grief and why do we experience it?"
- "Cultural Considerations about Loss and Grief"
- "Emotions associated with grief"
- "Self-Compassion"
- "Building a Legacy"
Linda will also provide information and handouts.
Reviews: See what other students are saying about this group
- “I wish it could have last longer”.
- “Sessions seemed too short”.
- “I felt less alone”.
Group Details:
Tuesdays: 2:30-4:00 pm 1.5 hours (90 minutes)
Feb. 4
Feb. 11
Feb. 18
Feb. 25
Mar. 4
Mar. 11
Making Meaning About Me: Understanding and Expressing My Emotions in a Good Way (Linda Churchill)
This group will be offered in-person at the SCC
Who this group is for: For students who would like to better understanding their emotions and express themselves in healthy ways.
Topics covered:
"What are emotions and why do they exist?"
"Exploring Our History with Emotions"
"Becoming Mindful of Our Emotions"
Awareness of Our Defenses and Calming our Fears
Letting Go and Letting Be: Practicing Acceptance
"Connecting with Others"
Group Details:
Thursdays: 2:30-4:00 pm 1.5 hours (90 minutes)
Feb. 6
Feb. 13
Feb. 20
Feb. 27
Mar. 6
Mar. 13
Reviews: See what other students are saying about this group
"Linda was a great facilitator! We received many practical tools, worksheets, and resources."
"This is a great group if you are experiencing difficulty and uncertainty around processing your emotions. A group setting can be daunting but Linda made it very safe."
"It was validating to realize that my concerns/difficulties are experienced by other people."
"Great for practicing and building empathy and compassion."
"I feel so much more enlightened and calmer."
Mindfulness De-Stress (Tim Osachuk)
This group is offered in-person at the SCC
Who this group is for: Any UM student experiencing some level of stress/distress
What you will learn: Participants will be introduced to the practice of mindfulness to become more aware and accepting of their experiences non-judgmentally, allowing them to respond to stressful situations in different ways. Participants will be guided to practice a variety of mindfulness-based meditations over course of the group.
Group Details:
Fridays: 1:30-3:30 pm
Feb. 28
Mar. 7
Mar. 14
Mar. 21
Mar. 27
April 4
Facilitator: Tim Osachuk
Reviews: see what other students are saying about this workshop
"It will help you more than you expect. It deserves your time. If you're overwhelmed now, this group is the key to change your situation."
"It will help you to focus better & achieve your study plans."
Pay Attention! (Kim Kiley)
This group is offered via Zoom & in-person at the SCC
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.
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:
Students must be in Manitoba to attend the Zoom sessions.
- Length of Group: 2 hours (120 minutes)
Zoom: Fridays from January 24-February 21, 2025 10:30 am -12:30 pm
Jan. 24: Managing My Attention and Focus
Jan. 31: Organizing Myself and My Time
Feb. 7: Managing My Distracting and Negative Thoughts
Feb. 14: Improving My Self-Esteem and Social Connections
Feb. 21: Understanding and Regulating My Emotions
In-person: Mondays from February 24-March 24, 2025 1:30-3:30 pm
Feb. 24: Managing My Attention and Focus
Mar. 3: Organizing Myself and My Time
Mar. 10: Managing My Distracting and Negative Thoughts
Mar. 17: Improving My Self-Esteem and Social Connections
Mar. 24: Understanding and Regulating My Emotions
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.”
Queerly Beloved - (Karla Penner & Michelle Collins (from UM Spiritual Care)
This group is offered in-person
Who this group is for:
Queer students and allies who have experienced harm and hurt through your faith community simply because of your identity, who you love, or who you support.
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
What will be covered in this group:
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.
Reviews: See what other students are saying about this workshop
"I 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."
Group Details:
6 Consecutive Weeks, Sessions are 90 minutes in length
Please call the SCC office to be added to the registration list for this group. The group will be scheduled based on the availability of the students.
This is a “closed group” meaning that once the group begins with the first gathering, no new members will be able to join.
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 great for anyone who would like to improve relationships that are going well.
Topics covered: Learning what four empirically derived behaviors are part of research that can predict relationship stability and satisfaction with over 90% accuracy and how to identify and manage them.
What you will learn: 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: 1:30-3:30 p.m. 2 hours (120 minutes)
Feb. 24
Mar. 3
Mar. 10
Mar. 17
Mar. 24
Mar. 31
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."
Students on the Spectrum (Karla Penner)
This Group is offered in-person
Who this group is for: This support group is designed for Autistic students with official or self-diagnosis. Students who are curious about whether they are Autistic are also welcome to join. The hope is that it will provide a safe space for members to connect, validate, inform and support each other in areas of mutual interest, while creating a place to explore the unique challenges and experiences that Autistic adults live with on a daily basis. Students are invited to show up "as they are" without any expectation to mask, talk, contribute to discussions, 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.
Topics covered: Some topics may include masking, communication, relationships, identity, emotions, etc. The possibilities will be as unique as the members of the group!
Group Details: To register please call SCC reception. The group facilitator/counsellor will contact you directly to arrange a time for a short intake session and will then determine group dates and time based on availability of the majority of interested members.
Sessions: The group will run for 6 consecutive weeks and each gathering will be 90 minutes in length. It is a “closed group” meaning that once the group has met for the first gathering it will be closed to new members joining.
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.”
Taking Care in the Climate Emergency (Lisa Martens)
This group is offered in-person
Who this Group is for: For Grad and Undergrad students who want to connect with others who care deeply about the climate emergency, and who experience fear or despair related to climate change.
Topics covered: Check in and share ideas for coping, action, living with enormous systemic problems, and dreaming up a better future.
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, emotions, etc.
We'll use a narrative therapy and other approaches, humour, and acknowledgement of grief, and other approaches to the Climate Crisis.
Group details:
Thursdays: 2:30 - 3:45 p.m. 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes)
4 meetings, every other Thursday:
Feb. 27
Mar. 13
Mar. 27
Apr. 10
Reviews: See what other students are saying about this group
"This group is about hope without dismissing the weight that climate crisis carries. Hope came organically through discussion. I was never told hope, but I feel it now."
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 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
- 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:
Once a month for 1.5 hours - Day and time TBD. Please contact the SCC to add your name to the waitlist. The group will be scheduled based on the availability of the students.
Circle of Security Parenting Program ™ (Anissa Penner & Francine Perehinec (Family Resource Coordinator)
This group is offered in-person at the SCC
Who is this group for: This group is for anyone who is juggling student life and parenting/caregiving.
At times all parents feel lost or without a clue about what our child might need from us. Imagine what it might feel like if you were able to make sense of what your child was really asking from you. The Circle of Security Parenting ™ program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened.
Learning Objective of Program:
- Understand your child's emotional world by learning to read the emotional needs
- Support your child's ability to successfully manage emotions
- Enhance the development of your child's self esteem
- Honour your innate wisdom and desire for you child to be secure
Topics covered:
- What is attachment and what does it mean to attach securely
- Difference between behaviours and needs-when "good" kids do "bad" things
- Relationship ruptures and repairs
- Learning a path towards "Good Enough" parenting by exploring your own 'triggers' (shark music)
Group details: Mondays 12:30-2:30 2 hours (120 minutes)
Jan. 13
Jan. 20
Jan. 27
Feb. 3
Feb. 10
Feb. 17
Feb. 24
Mar. 3
Mastery of Your Anxiety & Worry (Joshua LeClair & Christina Sander)
This group is offered in-person at the SCC
Who is this group for: Any student experiencing anxiety. This is a 5 session group and we encourage students to attend all five because you will build upon the skills you learn from session to session.
What you will learn: Participants will learn a number of strategies to cope more effectively with anxiety and worry which are part of everyday life and can sabotage our dreams and goals. This group will help you manage anxiety and worry by providing strategies to calm your body and understand and change your thinking to help you be more self supporting.
Group details: Fridays 1:30-3:30 p.m. 2 hours (120 minutes)
Jan. 17
Jan. 24
Jan. 31
Feb. 7
Feb. 14
Facilitator: Christina Sander
Fridays 1:30-3:30 p.m. 2 hours (120 minutes)
Feb. 28
Mar. 7
Mar. 14
Mar. 21
Mar. 28
Facilitator: Joshua LeClair
Body Image (Danna McDonald)
This group is offered in-person at the SCC
Who is this group for: Having a negative body image impacts us in many ways: low self-esteem, less confidence, disordered eating, and often, a constant uncertainty about our own self worth. If you are struggling with your relationship with your body, join us for a five week group to learn strategies to improve your body image and be more content with yourself. This group is open to people of all genders and body sizes. A short screening meeting is required before joining. We will explore our relationship with our body image all through a Feminist informed, body affirming perspective. We'll also learn strategies to improve our relationship with our body by changing our thoughts and behaviors.
Group details: Thursdays 2:30-4:00 p.m. 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes)
Feb. 6
Feb. 13
Feb. 27
Mar. 6
Mar. 13
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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