Counselling workshops and groups

This workshop is offered via in-person & remotely by video connection

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., with 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 strategies for maintaining and enhancing your relationships that are practical and effective. For example, come and find out what research has shown can predict the stability and satisfaction of your relationships with over 90% accuracy. In this workshop you’ll:

• 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:

• Length of Workshop: 2 hour (120 minutes)
• Available Thursdays 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • September 28 - Zoom
  • October 26 - In-person
  • November 16 - Zoom
  • December 7 - Zoom
• For Grad Steps:
  • November 9 - 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Zoom

Follow this link to search University of Manitoba Events page for current dates and times.

This workshop is offered via Zoom

Who this workshop is for: Graduate students only

Topics covered and what you will learn:

Friday October 6 - 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Imposter  Syndrome  in Graduate School: Imposter Syndrome is experienced by many graduate students. This workshop will provide a space to learn about why this occurs and how to respond to Imposter Syndrome.

Friday October 27 - 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. -  Procrastination in Graduate School: Procrastination is a challenge that many graduate students face. This workshop will focus on learning strategies that can assist you if you encounter this difficulty while taking classes, studying, working in the lab or writing your thesis or dissertation. There will be in session practice of skills learned so please bring writing materials or a charged laptop or tablet.

Friday November 24 - 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Empowerment: Utilizing Boundaries and Assertiveness as a Graduate Student: With the multiple demands that come as a graduate student it can be challenging to remember to set boundaries or assertive your own needs. This workshop will focus on learning about types of boundaries, how to set boundaries based on the relationship you are in and the Six Ways to Say No. We will also discuss the facts and myths associated with assertive communication and strategies to communicate assertively.

This workshop is offered via in-person & remotely by video connection

Who is this workshop for?

Anyone who has experienced trauma. What is trauma? It can include physical assault 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

Workshop Details:

• Length of Workshop or Group: Part 1: Two hours (120 minutes), and Part 2: Two hours (120 minutes)
• Time: 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Thursdays

Follow this link to search University of Manitoba Events page for current dates and times.

This workshop is offered via In-person & Zoom 

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. Students must be in the province of Manitoba to attend sessions offered via Zoom. Workshops do start on time with no late admittance.

Topics covered and what you will learn:

Each session focuses on a specific topic: Procrastination, Perfectionism, Sleep, and Low Self­ Esteem. The students will learn about the aforementioned topics and coping strategies to start addressing these difficulties.

Workshop Details:

• Length of Workshop:   Mondays & Thursdays - 1.5 hour (90 minutes)

Mondays - In-person - 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Procrastination October 16

Low Self-Esteem October 23

Sleep Difficulties October 30

Perfectionism November 6

Thursdays - Zoom - 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Procrastination November 16

Low Self-Esteem November 23

Sleep Difficulties November 30

Perfectionism December 7

Follow this link to search University of Manitoba Events page for current dates and times.

This workshop is offered remotely by video connection

Who is this workshop for?

Anyone who is 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:

• Length of Workshop:   1.5 hour (90 minutes)
• Grad Steps
  • Friday October 20 - 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. (Zoom)

Follow this link to search University of Manitoba Events page for current dates and times

This workshop is offered In-Person 

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. Students may attend as many sessions as desired.

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.

Each session lasts up to 1 hour, and participants will be guided to practice from 1–2 mindfulness-based meditations (variations of mindfulness of breath) over the course of the group. After each practice, participants are invited to speak about their experience with each mindfulness practice within the group, with reflection(s) on common experiences arising of people engaged in mindfulness practice.

Participants are encouraged to practice meditations outside of the group, to promote their learning to respond to stressful situations differently.

Workshop Details:

• Length of Workshop: 1 hour (60 minutes)
• September 2023 through June 2024 - 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Follow this link to search University of Manitoba Events page for current dates and times.

This workshop is offered remotely by video connection

Who this work is for:

Anyone who has experienced the break-up of a romantic relationship.

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: One session, 3 hour workshop

Fall semester

• Thursday October 19 from 2:30-5:30 p.m. (Zoom)
• Tuesday November 21 from 2:30-5:30 p.m. (Zoom)

This 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. Together, we will learn about what self-compassion is, how it can be helpful, and do a short practice together. 

Workshop Details:

• Length of Group: 1 hour - 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Dates:

• Monday September 25 - 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
• Monday October 30 - 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

This workshop is offered in-person at the SCC and remotely by video connection

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. Information on what happens in each session follows:

Session 1: Foundations of Wellness (S1):

• Self-Compassion and Forgiveness
• Importance of Nutrition, ways to improve Sleep 
• Stress reduction strategies

Session 2: Calming the Body (S2):

• Strategies for reducing the Stress in body including breathing techniques
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Visualization activities and TIPP skills

Session 3: Calming the 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)
• Offered throughout the term:

Follow this link to search University of Manitoba Events page for current dates and times.

This workshop is offered in-person at the SCC

Who this workshop is for:

Do you feel like a fake no matter how hard you work or how qualified you are? Do you worry that it’s just a matter of time before someone figures it out? You’re not alone! This workshop is open to any students who are experience a sense of being an impostor in their studies or work.

Topics covered and what you will learn:

We will define the Impostor Phenomenon, explore the experience, and learn strategies to combat this common and debilitating experience, so that you can better enjoy your studies and successes.

Workshop Details:

• Length of Workshop or Group: 1.5 hours (90 minutes)
• Dates: In-Person
  • Monday October 16 - 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Thursday November 30 - 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Follow this link to search University of Manitoba Events page for current dates and times  

This Group is offered In-person

Who is this group is for:

This 6-week group is for any student who is committed to antiracism, and the self-explorations and self-challenges that may arise when building an antiracist culture.

Topics covered and what you will learn:

Being anti-racist is not about who you are, but it is about what you do. Antiracism is an active way of walking in the world, with the intent  to  identify,  challenge  and change  values,  ideas and policies that support and perpetuate racism. Racism occurs in all areas of society and presents through individual attitudes and  behaviors  and  through  formal  and  unspoken policies and practices within multiple institutions. In the absence of  antiracism,  we are upholding, consciously and unconsciously, aspects of  white  dominant  culture,  white supremacy and inequities on campus and in our communities.

This group provides a safe place to explore the question: How effective are my actions towards creating an antiracist culture? It also allows a place to build community and foster resiliency when engaging in anti-racism work keeping skin in the game" versus putting it down when it gets tough).

Initially topics covered in this group include:

• Antiracism and White Accountability
• Understanding Race Related Stress and Building Resiliency to Race Related Stress
• Addressing Power and Privilege
• Recognizing and Responding to Racism and Micro-aggressions When They Occur
• Self-Care for Activists

Antiracism requires consistent focus and self-reflection. Please consider if you will be able to attend all of the sessions prior to registering for this group. Based on student interest this group may run longer and address additional topics that support the group members in their antiracist work.

Group details:

• Days and Time: Wednesdays - 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Dates: October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 8 and 15 

This Group is offered In-Person

Who this group is 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 closed 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, and a short intake screening is required.

Topics covered: We will explore our relationship with body image, including how we develop 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 behaviours.    
 

Group Details:

• Thursdays: 2:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • October 12, 19, 26
  • November 2, 9
• This will be a closed group after the second session.
• Please call the SCC to be added to the wait list for this group. 

This is a drop in group, offered via Zoom & in-person at the SCC

Who this group is for: This open group series is for students who would like to learn strategies for managing depression and anxiety.

Group Topics Include:

1. Managing Expectations: Enhancing Self-Esteem (CBT Session). Learn a tool for examining biased expectations and increasing self-esteem.
2. Knowing and Liking Myself (ACT Session): Learn tools for exploring your personal values and how they impact your thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
3. Approaching My Fears (CBT Session): Learn how to desensitize yourself to your fears and worries through development of an anxiety exposure hierarchy.
4. Activities Scheduling (BA Session): Learn to schedule meaningful activities into your life to promote physical and psychological health.

Group Details

• Length of Group: 2 hour (120 minutes)
• Dates: Mondays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  • 1st  Session: Nov 20, 27, Dec 4, 11 (In Person)
  • 2nd Session: Mar 11, 18, 25, Apr 1 (In Person)

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 and others, and dedicated time to reflect on negative patterns of behaviour.  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 for 2 hour (120 minutes)
• September 19, 26, October 3, 2023
  • 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• October 24, 31, November 7, 2023
  • 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

This Group is offered In-person: Offered at the Spiritual Care and Multifaith Centre Group Room 5th Floor University Centre.

Who is this group/workshop for:

Students who identify as BIBOC and are seeking to healing from racialized trauma.

Topics covered and what you will learn :

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. This group will focus on active body practices and processing of feelings that arise within the body when considering racialized trauma.

It is a 4-week group with the potential of continuing based on student interest.

Group details:

• Days and Times: Tuesdays - 12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. with an additional 15-minute holding space for students who may need time to settle before returning to their day.
• Dates: October 17, 24, 31 and November 7

Who this group is for: This is a group for students who have lost a loved one through death.

What you will learn: Sorrow from the death of a loved one was never meant to be endured in isolation. The purpose of this group is to provide a safe forum for addressing the realities of loss and grief, to connect with others, and to access resources that aid in the healing process.

Group Details:

• Sessions: This group involves six 90-minute sessions. Students who register will be contacted and asked to provide best weekdays and times that suit their schedule. The facilitator will then notify them of a time that work for the majority. Next group: Fall 2023 (October start date pending).
• Length of Group: 1.5 hours (90 minutes)
• Dates: TBD

Follow this link to search University of Manitoba Events page for current dates and times.

This group is offered in-person & Zoom

Who this group is for:  Any U of M student experiencing anxiety. This is a 5 session group that is closed to new participants after the group starts, as skills are additive over sessions.

What you will learn:  Participants will learn a number of strategies to cope more effectively with a variety of types of anxiety. We view anxiety and worry as a common experience in everyday living and being a university student, and rather than trying to eradicate anxiety, we focus on managing the anxiety we have. In learning mastery in managing our anxiety, we no longer have to be concerned about it becoming a barrier or an obstacle.  We typically learn skills to manage anxiety in two broad ways: 

1) understanding how our thoughts can influence (either increase or reduce) our anxiety;

2) learning strategies to manage our bodies and physical symptoms of anxiety.  We are then able to manage our thoughts, our bodies or both to feel better, and live our lives more fully.

Group Details:

• Length of Group:  2 Hours (120 minutes per session); 5 Sessions
• Fridays, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • Session 1 (September 22, 29, October 6, 13, 20) In-Person
  • Session 2 (November 3, 10, 24 December 1, 8) - Zoom

Follow this link to search University of Manitoba Events page for current dates and times 

This group is offered In-Person

Who this group is for:  Any U of M student experiencing some level of stress/distress. This is a 5 session group that is closed to new participants after the group starts, as skills are additive over sessions.

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. 

No previous experience with mindfulness-based meditation is required.  Each session will last 120 minutes, and participants will be guided to practice a variety of mindfulness-based meditations over course of the group.  Participants are encouraged to practice meditations outside of the group, to promote their learning to respond to stressful situations differently.

Group Details:

• Length of Group:  2 hours (120 minutes); 5 Sessions
• Fridays, 1:30 p.m.  - 3:30 p.m.
  • Session 1: October 27, November 3, 10, 24, December 1
     

Follow this link to search University of Manitoba Events page for current dates and times  

This group is offered in-person at the SCC and remotely by video connection

Who this group is for: Any students who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or suspect that they have 
attention related difficulties.
Pre-registration is required for each group topic. Although, students are encouraged to attend all sessions of the group, the group is an open group series, which means students can attend as many of the group topics as they desire. Students must be in the province of Manitoba to attend sessions offered via Zoom.

Topics covered and what you will learn:

Each session will cover a specific topic that is relevant for students with ADHD. 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:

• Length of Group: 2 hours (120 minutes)
• In-Person - Thursdays 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. 
  1. Managing My Attention and Focus - September 28
  2. Organizing Myself and My Time - October 5
  3. Managing My Distracting and Negative Thoughts - October 12
  4. Improving My Self-Esteem and Social Connections - October 19
  5. Understanding and Regulating My emotions - October 26
• ZOOM - Wednesdays 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  1. Managing My Attention and Focus - November 8
  2. Organizing Myself and My Time - November 15
  3. Managing My Distracting and Negative Thoughts - November 22
  4. Improving My Self-Esteem and Social Connections November 29
  5. Understanding and Regulating My Emotions - December 6

Follow this link to search University of Manitoba Events page for current dates and times.

This Group is offered In-Person

Who is this group is for:

Anyone who has experienced the break-up of a romantic relationship six weeks ago or longer,  or is having difficulty with a break-up and letting go.

Topics covered and what you will learn:

Topics covered: Stages of a break-up and the emotions involved, grief and coping, self-care, learning from the past , identity, self-esteem, letting go, building healthy relationships, and boundaries and assertiveness.

What you will learn: Information about healthy relationships and break-ups, skills for self­ survival and doing better next time, to rediscover your strengths and let go while gaining knowledge and resources.

Group details:

6 sessions, each group meeting is 2 hours long; possible post-group following-up meeting about one month after group ends (decided by group members)

Winter term: Tuesdays 1:30 -3:30 p.m. February 27- April 2 (possible one-month post group additional meeting on April 30)

This group is offered In-person

 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. (6 sessions)

Group Details:

• Length of Group:  6 sessions; each is 2 hours (120 minutes)
• Mondays from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• October 23, 30 
• November 6, 20, 27 **No group on Nov 13**
• December 4 

Follow this link to search University of Manitoba Events page for current dates and times 

This Group is offered In-person

Who this group is for:  This support group is designed for Autistic students with official or self-diagnosis. 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 gifts that adults on the spectrum face

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.

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 begins with the first gathering, no new members will be able to join.

Details:

** will run in Oct/Nov for Fall 2023 term and in late Jan/Feb for Winter 2024 term ** Exact dates to be determined by facilitator.

Follow this link to search University of Manitoba Events page for current dates and times

This Group is offered In-Person

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, or anything else that the group members agree would be helpful.

This is an open Group which means students can attend as they desire (as long as they have already attended Part 1 and Part 2 of the trauma workshop as stated above).

Students to call the front desk to add their name to the waitlist and that the date/time is TBA.