Sindecuse Health Center

Group Counseling

Group counseling is a type of therapy in which several students meet with a trained therapist(s), often focusing on a common goal. Members learn from others' experiences, receive and give feedback, receive support and learn that they are not alone. Groups offer individuals the opportunity to share personal concerns in a safe, confidential and supportive environment. Research shows it to be as effective as individual counseling, and for some issues, it can be more effective. Students can benefit from group therapy in many ways:

Connect with others facing similar issues
Learn and practice new skills in a safe space
Share experiences and gain perspective from talking with others
Improve self-awareness, self-confidence and social skills
Enhance acceptance of self and others

Counseling Services at Sindecuse Health Center offers several groups open to current Western Michigan University students. Most groups meet weekly and are open to new participants. Please call Counseling Services at (269) 387-1850 or register with the button below if you are interested in participating. Prior to engaging in group therapy, all participants will be asked to complete a pre-screening with a counselor.

Groups offered Fall 2025

Please call (269) 387-1850 to see if a group is active. If participation is low, a group may not continue to the end of the semester. Groups meet weekly for the duration of the session.

Drawn Together

Starts Sept. 25, Thursdays 9 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Hands-on creative art approaches for improving mental health through expression, insight, and sharing. No artistic experience required.
Facilitators: Ellie DeLeon, LLP and Mollie Parsons, LMSW.

Book Club (Exploring Mental Wellness Through Literature)

Starts Sept. 25, Thursdays 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Do you love reading inspiring books but wish you had a space to discuss them more deeply? This group provides a supportive space for fellow readers to explore themes of personal growth, resilience, and well-being. Fall 2025 book selection: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
Facilitator: Dr. Dani Standish, Licensed Psychologist.

Mindful Meditation

Starts Sept. 26, Fridays 10–11:30 a.m.
Treat yourself to a one-hour blissful guided meditation experience.
Facilitators: Grace Orlando, LMSW and Kim Berning, LMSW.

Project Calm: Practical Coping Strategies for All the Things

Starts Sept. 23, Tuesdays 2–3:30 p.m.
Learn and practice practical and evidence-based techniques useful for coping with anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic attacks, sleep disturbances, and test anxiety and more.
Facilitator: Kim Berning, LMSW.

Stitch & Bitch

Starts Sept. 25, Thursdays 10 a.m.–11 a.m.
Craft-based therapy group designed to introduce participants to the emotional benefits of knitting (or whatever other fiber art you like!). Bring your current project or just come ready to learn! Needles, yarn, and instruction provided by two knitting enthusiasts.
Facilitators: Grace Orlando, LMSW and Carmen Ortega Kline, LMSW.