Workshops & Groups

Workshops & Drop-In Groups

Disclosure Statement

Due to the open and online nature of this space, the support groups and workshops provided are not private or confidential, though participants are encouraged to be respectful and mindful of each other’s privacy. Participants can also change your name in zoom if they wish to keep their name private, though they will need to utilize their @pdx account to access the zoom meeting. Please reach out  to your group leaders if you have accessibility needs and we will work to support you. 

Although facilitators are mental health and health professionals, this support group does not constitute treatment or therapy. We also encourage those needing additional support to seek out confidential medical and/or mental health consultation services through PSU Student Health and Counseling Services (503)725-2800; For crisis support, you can also contact the Multnomah County Crisis Line at 503-988-4888. 

Workshops and group therapy may be facilitated by PSU students in the Master's in Social Work or Master's in Counseling programs.

Understanding the Different Options

What is Group Counseling?

Group counseling can provide unique benefits including learning with and from peers, receiving feedback and support from peers in a counselor-facilitated setting, and learning specific skills in a group environment.

What is a Workshop?

Workshops focus on a specific topic related to mental health and wellness and are a provider led informational presentation. The workshops offered at SHAC are informational, and designed to offer those that attend new insights and information about a wide variety of topics.

What is a Drop-In Group? 

A drop-in group is more of an informal open support group offered to specific groups of people. We have hosted groups for Graduate students, students seeking sobriety, students with children and many others.

 


Fall Term Workshops & Drop-In Groups


iRest Yoga Nidra

Integrative Restoration Yoga Nidra is a meditative practice that integrates traditional restorative yoga with psychology and neuroscience. It was developed by Dr. Richard Miller and has been used to support veterans and military personnel. Through the practice, I will guide you into relaxing and letting go of tension in your body and mind while also teaching tools for emotional balance. iRest Yoga Nidra facilitates not just deep relaxation, but also a connection to self, your inner resources, your body, and to others. It helps relieve stress, anxiety, panic symptoms, depression, chronic pain, sleep disturbances, and PTSD. No prior experience with meditation or yoga necessary.  

  • What to bring: comfortable clothing, a yoga mat if you have one. If you do not have a mat, one will be provided.
  • Practice:  This is not a physically active yoga class. You can either lay down on your mat, Shavasana style, or sit in a chair, wheelchair, etc; however, you feel most comfortable.
     

Workshop Date & Time

  • Wednesdays (October 8 - October 29) from 5:00 - 6:00pm

Location & Facilitators

  • Location- Veterans Resource Center (VRC)
  • Facilitators - Margaret de Lima Hering, LCSW

Polyvagal Workshops (One Time Workshop)

A Trauma-Informed Nervous System Approach to More Effectively Cope with Anxiety, Depression, and other Emotions

This workshop is open to the entire PSU community (students, staff, faculty, etc.)

Polyvagal Theory by Stephen Porges is known as the neuroscience of safety and connection, and has had a significant impact on how we heal trauma.  It also provides a useful framework for understanding and effectively dealing with our daily emotional experiences and anxiety.  In this workshop, we will review the core concepts of Polyvagal Theory and learn concrete strategies to help your mood.

Workshop Date & Time

  • Mondays, 5:30 - 7:15pm

Dates

  • October 6th, 13th; November 3rd, 10th, 17th (only need to attend once)

Attend a Workshop

  • Access the workshops via the Zoom link.
  • It is very important that you are on time, because the most important slide happens in the very beginning of the workshop.  If you arrive after that slide is reviewed, you will not be let in from the waiting room and you will need to join us on a different week.  Also, please know that the expectation is that your video will be on, in order to increase the feeling of community. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Cheryl Forster at forsterc@pdx.edu

Navigating Life with ADHD: A 3-Part Workshop Series

This 3-part workshop series is suitable for folks who have or suspect a diagnosis of ADHD and have experienced difficulties in their relationships and personal well-being as a result of attention/concentration struggles. In Workshop 1, ADHD Myth Busting, we will learn about what ADHD really is (and isn’t) and reflect on how truths and myths about ADHD affect ourselves and our relationships. In Workshop 2, Knowing Myself and Persevering, we discuss how ADHD affects motivation and learn ways to help ourselves emotionally as we pick ourselves up after each fall. In Workshop 3, Caring for Myself, we reflect on how people in our lives may affect our growth and well-being and learn how to care for ourselves emotionally in life’s journey with ADHD.
Workshops consist of didactic content and group discussion and will not be recorded to protect participants’ privacy.

Workshop Date & Time

  • Fridays 10 AM - 11:15 AM

Dates

  • October 24, October 31, November 7

Attend a Workshop

  • Workshop 1:  ADHD Myth Busting, Fri Oct 24, 10 AM - Zoom Link
  • Workshop 2: Knowing Myself and Persevering, Fri Oct 31, 10 AM - Zoom Link
  • Workshop 3: Caring for Myself, Fri Nov 7, 10 AM - Zoom Link

Additional Information 

Facilitator: Vivien So, PhD
Co-facilitator: Owen Crabtree, PsyD
No sign-up required; Questions can be directed to vso@pdx.edu Join via Zoom links above, must have ODIN login.


Unmasking Success: A Discussion Series

Striving for success can feel impossible because of self-doubt,  fear of failure, and worries about inadequacy. These patterns can interfere with your ability to be confident, stay motivated, and acknowledge your accomplishments. This workshop series is designed to help students deconstruct the patterns and processes that impact academic success and personal well-being. We will discuss the stigma associated with common phenomena like imposter syndrome (Fall 25), procrastination Winter 26), and perfectionism (Winter 26) as well as shift our thinking to recognize the impact of cultural, societal, and institutional factors.

Workshop Date & Time

  • Dates - Friday November 14th, 12:30-2:30pm

Location & Facilitators 

  • Location- SHAC Health Promotion Lounge Suite 340
  • Facilitators - SHAC and SASS staff 

Overcoming Social Anxiety Group

This group is for students who struggle with social confidence, worry about social interactions, and feel self-conscious in social contexts. Group members will learn about anxiety management strategies, tips for meeting new people and deepening relationships, have the opportunity to practice establishing new relationships and positive connections, drawing on their natural strengths, and gain a more accurate perception of self and others.

Workshop Date & Time

  • Tuesdays, 3 - 4:30 PM

Location & Facilitators

  • Location- Member preferences and accessibility will be considered in determining whether we will meet virtually or in-person.
  • Facilitators - Vivien So, PhD and Kyle Isaacson, PhD. Email kisaacs2@pdx.edu if you have any questions.

Self Directed DBT Skills 

This group will focus on learning of pre-selected DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) Skill to support students with regulating emotions that can overwhelm us.  We will use a workbook titled, Self Directed DBT Skills (all materials are provided) to learn skills that support well-being and student success. The facilitator is an experienced DBT practitioner with several years of experience teaching DBT skills. This will be an in person group.

Workshop Date & Time

  • Wednesdays 12:15 - 1:15pm (8 weeks) Begins on October 15th

Location & Facilitators

  • Location- SHAC Group Room 1 
  • Facilitators - Sarah Williams, LMFT. Email saw7@pdx.edu with any questions 

Group Counseling - Fall Group

Interpersonal Process Groups: Fridays 1:00 -2:30pm

The Relational Lab: Forming Deeper Connections with Self and Others

  • Description: The Relational Lab is an interpersonal process group that provides the opportunity to reflect on and experiment with the ways that you relate to others in a supportive, confidential, and safe environment. This group fosters deep connections, enhances self-awareness, and cultivates empathy, transforming not just how we relate to others, but how we understand ourselves.
  • Group therapy is an ideal setting where students can work on personal growth, develop insight about interpersonal relationship patterns, and receive support and feedback from peers.  Process groups promote greater self-awareness, authenticity, and provide a safe environment in which to practice new behaviors.  Groups are facilitated by two leaders and are offered throughout the year. A pre-group information session is required for participation.
  • Facilitators: Jesse Neel, LPC and Kyle Isaacson, PhD
  • Room: Virtual Zoom Room
  • Starting date: Usually starts week 3 of the term
  • Joining the group: To join the first step is to meet for a pre-group session with the facilitators Jesse Neel, LPC and Kyle Isaacson, PhD. Contact SHAC to set this up: 503-725-2800 and email kisaacs2@pdx.edu if you have any questions.

     

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OUTREACH, CAMPUS PARTNERSHIPS, AND CONSULTATION

Interested in bringing an outreach or workshop to your class or program? SHAC Counseling offers a number of consultation training services that include: one-on-one small group consultations, guest lectures, program development, committee involvement, critical incident involvement, workshops, and more!