A guide to group therapy through CAPS 

The start of a new semester, although exciting, often leads to the start of new challenges for students. Utah State’s Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS, provides a variety of therapy groups to help students throughout their time at USU.   

As stated on the CAPS website, group therapy provides supportive environments where members can improve social skills and get feedback from others. This upcoming spring semester, CAPS is introducing five new groups: two resident life groups, a compassion focus group, a multicultural group and a student-parent Zoom group.  

With 14 groups total, CAPS has eight support groups that do not require attendance or a screening to be a member and six therapy groups that do require a screening and commitment to attend.  

Jill Ferrell, group coordinator and staff psychologist at CAPS, said group therapy declined nationally after the pandemic in 2020. 

“When COVID hit, group therapy kind of went underground a little bit, and it’s had difficulty coming back because people just didn’t know it was there,” Ferrell said. 

For those wanting to participate in CAPS group therapy, information on how to get involved is available on the CAPS website. Prospective group members must contact CAPS through the information listed online if they want to attend any group.  

Dungeons and Dragons Group  

The popular tabletop role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons, or D&D, is often renowned as an activity for friends of all ages. D&D has recently proven useful in a therapeutic setting. First used to provide a structure for individuals with autism, the game eventually became popular in group therapy. Using characters and storytelling helps individuals learn socialization skills and confront challenges that apply to their everyday lives.  

“These kinds of game interactions help build connections and help build these pieces of interest, hobbies and activities,” said CAPS intern and co-facilitator Kyle Brasil. “We see they help people just by playing the game.”  

The group had four members in the fall semester and has room for more. Co-facilitators set up gameplay and assume the role of dungeon masters for the session. There is pre and post-game discussion as well as side chats throughout gameplay. The group also emphasizes goal-setting for its members. These are often goals that apply to members’ real lives that can be achieved or improved through gameplay.  

“I think this kind of group meets a lot of student needs of feeling connected, introducing or giving connection to a hobby or an interest, and also a chance to try on new skins, literally, through your character and to experiment in a safe place,” Brasil said. 

Compassion Focus Group 

Starting in the upcoming spring semester, the compassion-focused therapy group is for those struggling with what is known as treatment-resistant anxiety, a form of anxiety that is non-responsive to treatment. The group is also welcoming to those who struggle with low self-esteem, frequent anger, depression or relational struggles. When meeting, members of this group will focus on compassion and learn about the body’s threat, soothing, and drive systems.  

“Anxiety tends to sort of melt away in that kind of environment,” Ferrell said.   

Members of this group, which meets once a week, will receive outside workbooks to continue their studies between sessions. 

Student-Parent Zoom Group 

The student-parent support group is new this semester and is aimed specifically at students who have children. This is more evident in Utah State’s statewide campuses, thus CAPS uses Zoom to hold this support group.  

Ferrell explained the need for the group came from those undergoing the struggle of being a parent, especially a single parent, while also juggling school. The group strives to provide an environment that encourages academic success among parents. Zoom meetings are held on Wednesdays from 4-5 p.m.  

Multicultural Student Support Group 

Returning after a short period of absence, the multicultural student support group is for Black and Indigenous people and people of color, or BIPOC.  

The purpose of the group is for members to share experiences and converse about shared challenges as BIPOC students. The group aims to help students cope with the stresses brought on by discrimination and microaggressions.  

Although it is classified as a support group, regular attendance is encouraged, and meetings are held from 12:30-1:30 p.m. every Monday.  

Resident Life Support Groups  

Also new this year are resident life support groups. The first, called the transition group, aims to help first-year students transition into college life. This includes tackling challenges like leaving home, social connections and academic struggles.  

The second group is the Resident Assistant, or RA, group. RAs are in charge of a select group of people living in their assigned hall. They often manage roommate conflicts and noise complaints. The RA group focuses on resolving conflicts and managing the responsibilities of being an RA while being a student. There are three resident life therapists whose offices are located in the resident halls, and both groups meet from 7-8 p.m. on Tuesdays.  

Mindfulness Group 

The mindfulness group is a therapy group in which four to six participants go through a four to five-week course on meditation. Participants learn skills such as how to do body scans and have self-compassion. This group is meant to provide a structure for students who want to practice being mindful and hold themselves accountable to their goals regarding mindfulness.  

LGBTQ+ Group   

CAPS has partnered with the Inclusion Center to create the LGBTQ+ support group. This group is held by the Inclusion Center with the attendance of CAPS therapists. Smaller in size, the group is a place for members to meet fellow LGBTQ+ students at USU. The group is open to all and meets on Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 p.m.  

 “It is absolutely a privilege to see members grow,” Erika Lindström, LGBTQ+ and ally coordinator for the center, wrote in an email to The Utah Statesman.  

Skills Training Groups 

CAPS also holds skills training therapy groups for students who want to expand their interpersonal skills and regulate their emotions. In order to meet the needs of group members, there are multiple skills groups meeting at different times. All members attend a 90-minute session once a week.   

“This group is primarily for folks who are struggling to manage their emotions, or they feel like their emotions are managing them,” Ferrell said.  

Members of this group are also encouraged to see individual therapists on top of group therapy. 

Spiritual Concerns Group 

Previously named Faith Challenges, the spiritual concerns group is a non-judgment-oriented group open for discussion on topics such as faith, religion and spirituality. The group takes in members who may be struggling with their relationship with faith. Not aimed at denouncing religion or faith, the group is open to members of all beliefs. This support group meets every Monday from 2-3:30 p.m.  

Understanding Self and Others Groups  

CAPS has multiple running Understanding Self and Others, or USO, therapy groups. One group is made up of only women, one is open to all and another is for graduate students. Since graduate students often teach undergraduate students, CAPS made a USO group dedicated to graduate students so they can seek help without running into their students.  

The USO groups’ discussion topics are brought on by the group members. The goal behind USO groups is to generate positive changes in students’ daily lives outside the group.  

“It’s a place to provide support and find out that you actually have more to offer people than you thought,” Ferrell said.