Groups & Workshops

Groups & Workshops are powerful vehicles for change. When people participate in a group with others who may be experiencing similar challenges, they are often validated that they are not alone in their struggles. Students explore and learn new skills and can practice these in the safety of the group. Groups can be an empowering experience; feeling the support of the facilitator(s) and fellow group members can increase motivation and energy to create the change people want for themselves.

Please check out the upcoming groups & workshops outlined below and choose one (or more) that you believe might be a good fit for you!

If you have any questions about therapeutic groups and workshops or have any concerns, please call the HCC at 905-828-5255 or drop by the clinic (DV 1152) or email health.utm@utoronto.ca.

DBT Skills Group

Facilitator: Katrina Levasseur Nedamat (she/her), MSW, RSW
When: Tuesdays | January 20, 27, February 3 & 10 | 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Where: Wellness Den | Student Hub (DV 2207 ) 

During this 4-week skills group, participants will learn 4 sets of DBT skills: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. 

Mindfulness skills are about learning to focus our attention on the present moment and notice what is happening without judgment or avoidance. 

Distress Tolerance skills are used to help us get through difficult and painful situations (without making things worse) while Emotion Regulation skills help us to manage and gain control over distressing emotions and situations (rather than being controlled by them) and increase the presence of more desirable emotions. 

Lastly, Interpersonal Skills help us to communicate and get our needs met in our relationships while maintaining respect for ourselves and others more effectively.  

Register here!

Lifting your Mood: A Skills Group for Managing Low Mood  

Facilitator: Lauren Drouchard (she/her), MSW, RSW
When: Wednesdays | January 21, 28, February 4 & 11 | 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Where: Wellness Den | Student Hub (DV 2207 ) 

Do you often find yourself feeling down or sad? Or perhaps struggle with having enough motivation or energy to do the things you want or need to do? 

This 4-week group is for anyone who has concerns with low mood and what’s sometimes referred to as depression. 

Together, we will learn more about depression, how it affects us, and practical changes we can make to improve our mood and help to get us going again.      

Register here!

Building Self-Esteem: Learning How to Appreciate Yourself 

Facilitator: John Nguyen (he/him), OT Reg. (Ont)
When: Thursdays | January 22, 29, February 5 & 12 | 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Where: Wellness Den | Student Hub (DV 2207 ) 

Many of us struggle to build our self-esteem. We may find that our feelings about ourselves are pulled up and down based on achievement or feedback from others.  

In this group, we will learn straightforward ways to begin to build a stable positive sense of self and to appreciate our core worth as human beings. Through this learning we can begin to be ok with ourselves regardless of external influences.   

Register here!

Crafts & Chill: A Queer & Trans Drop-in 🌈

Facilitators: Isha Saini (she/her), RP & 2SLGBTQIA+ Focused Counsellor & John Nguyen (he/him), OT Reg (Ont)
When: Thursdays | 2:00pm - 3:00pm 
Where: Wellness Den | Student Services Hub | (DV 2207)

Looking for a space to unwind and connect with fellow queer, trans, and gender-diverse peers? Join us for Crafts & Chill, a weekly drop-in where you can create, chat, and celebrate queer and trans joy in community. 

Materials are provided, but feel free to bring your own project too! This group is facilitated by queer identifying HCC Counsellors.

All identities and levels of craftiness welcome. No need to register, just drop-in and get crafting!

Sign up for a reminder here!

🧩 Community & Connections: A wellness drop-in for students identifying as Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC).

Facilitators: Racialized staff from the HCC Counselling Team
When: Fridays | 1:15pm - 2:15pm 
Where: Wellness Den | Student Services Hub | DV 2207

Community & Connections is a weekly drop-in session at the Wellness Den that offers a safe space for BIPOC students to hang out, reflect on their identities and experiences and build a supportive community while engaging in a variety of wellness activities.  Activities will include:

• Sip n’ Share - Join us as we sip tea and share our experiences in a supportive circle.
• Playlist Power Hour - Music is a vital part of our identity! Come share your favourite tunes, discover what others are listening to, and craft a personalized playlist to help manage stress, reflect, and boost your mood.
• Craft & Chat - Come by and build community as we engage in an art activity!
• Positive Vibes - Come together and craft uplifting messages and heartfelt notes to inspire and support each other.

Sign up for a reminder here!

Meditation & Movement

Facilitators: RAWC or HCC staff
When: Mondays | 1:30pm - 2:00pm 
Where: Wellness Den | Student Services Hub | DV 2207

Guided Meditation & Movement will be paired with a physical practice to help us move our bodies into wellness including seated yoga and stretching.  

Mindfulness is about being present and in the moment. These free, drop-in classes foster an accepting, non-judgmental environment to learn and practice different forms of mindful meditation. No prior experience with mindfulness or meditation is required! Everyone is welcome, students, staff, and faculty!

Lower Stress. Improve Mood. Feel Better.

Need a little encouragement?  

Sign up for a weekly mindfulness reminder here!