Group Counseling
Personal Counseling Groups
The Counseling Center offers a variety of counseling, support, and educational groups each semester. Participants in groups benefit from the mutual support and learning that occurs from interaction with others who have similar concerns. For more information about our groups, or to schedule your pre-group interview, please call 355-8270.
Below is a listing of our diverse and supportive groups:
African American Female Therapy Group
Facilitators: Carmen Gear, M.A., L.P.C., Talitha Easterly, Ph.D., & Roerica Green
A non-traditional group approach incorporating essential elements of African American Culture. The group is offered to assist individual members with moving toward self-healing through collective sharing around multi-media stimuli. *
Pre-group interview is required
Mondays, 3:30- 5:30 p.m., 13A Student Services Building
Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Facilitators: David Novicki, Ph.D., Scott Brown, Ph.D.
A group for members of the MSU student community who are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Targets for the group will include psycho-education, mood charting, strategies for hypomania, cognitive restructuring/skill acquisition, activity management, medication adherence and relapse prevention. *Pre-group interview is required with Dr. Novicki or Dr. Brown.
Tuesdays, 1:00-2:45 or Thursdays, 3:00-5:00pm Room: 249, 207 Student Services Building
Breaking or Broken?: A Relationships Therapy Group
Facilitators: D. John Lee, Ph.D.
Are you having difficulties in your significant relationships (e.g. romantic break-up, family problems, etc.)? This group will help you understand yourself, your relationships, and the processes of forgiving and healing. We will also explore how to develop healthy patterns of relating to those individuals who mean the most to you. Pre-group interview with Dr. John Lee is required before participation. (Sorry, this is not a couples group).
WHEN: Thursdays, 3-4:30pm
WHERE: MSU Counseling Center, Student Services Building, room 13 and 13A.
A screening interview is required, please contact Dr. Lee at: JohnL@cc.msu.edu or call (517) 355-8270
Chronic Illness - General Therapy Group
Facilitators: Dr. Tawa Sina
A 6 week structured general therapy group for students who have a chronic illness.
A pre group screening interview is required with Dr. Sina. Please call: (517) 355-8270
Tuesdays from 3:00 - 5:00pm, starting October 9th, 2012 Room 6 inside the Student Services Building.
Coping with Eating Disorder: Treatment
Facilitator: David Novicki, Ph.D.
A group for members of the MSU student community who are experiencing difficulties with eating and/or body image. Topics will include recognizing cues that stimulate anxiety about body image or eating and learning new methods of responding to those various cues. Automatic thoughts and habituated behavior will also be examined and different ways of thinking and behaving will be explored. . *Pre-group interview is required with Dr. Novicki Wednesdays 3:00-4:45 pm Rm. 249 or Thursdays 1:00 pm-2:45pm Rm.249, Main office, 207 Student Services Building.
Graduate Minority Women's Support Group
Facilitator: Tawa Sina, Ph.D.
The focus of this group is to assist minority women in traversing the academic and social pressures involved with being a graduate student. Open to all graduate women with minority status (e.g., race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion). This group will begin on Monday, October 8th, 2012
A pre-group interview is required with Dr. Sina. Please call: (517) 355-8270. Group will meet on Mondays from 3:00 - 5:00pm in room 245 Student Services Building.
Graduate Student Therapy Group
Facilitators: D.John Lee, Ph.D
Being a graduate student can have unique challenges, both professionally and personally. This therapy group will utilize supportive dialogue and action methods to reduce stress, facilitate healing, and encourage growth.
To participate in this group, a pre-group interview is necessary. Please contact the MSU Counseling Center at: (517) 355-8270 or email JohnL@cc.msu.edu to make an appointment with Dr. Lee.
When: Tuesdays - 3:00-4:30pm
Loccation: MSU Counseling Center, Student Services Bldg. Room 13/13A
Grief Recovery Group
Facilitators: Bonnie Wheeler M.A., LPC, LMSW , Amanda Bryan, M.A.
This is a group for members of the MSU student community who are experiencing difficulties in handling the death of a loved one.
Group Goals:
- (1) normalize the experience of bereavement using psycho-education about grief and experiential exercises,
- (2) provide support for students who have experienced a recent death or loss in their life,
- (3) provide a safe place for students to talk about their feelings regarding their recent loss.
Topics will include normal grief, dimensions of grief, fears related to loss, and coping strategies.
Day and time: Tuesdays 3:00pm-4:30pm
207 Student Services Building. 355-8270
Pre-group interview required with Bonnie Wheeler, M.A., LPC or Amanda Bryan, M.A.
Hope and Healing Group
Facilitators Leah Elliott, LMSW & Lauren Allswede, LLMSW
This group will provide a safe space for students who have experienced sexual violence to receive and provide support around the healing process. This is a therapy group for women who have experienced sexual assault or sexaul abuse.
Day and time: Fridays 1:00 - 2:00pm MSU Counseling Center, Student Services Bldg, room 207. Beginning Friday January 25th, 2013.
A pre-group interview required with Leah at (517)355-6890 or leahe@cc.msu.edu
MIND over Matter
Facilitators: Dr. John Taylor, Psy.D., Abraham Bilyeu, M.A., Erika VanHoven, and Neil White.
Mind over Matter is a worshop for people who are looking to manage troubling thoughts, feelings, and emotions that affect day-to-day lif
e. The group offers students a venue to explore the benefits of mindfulness and meditation in their daily lives through the development of present awareness and self-compassion.
Day and time: Wednesdays from 3:00-4:30pm beginning January 16th, 2013. MSU Counseling Center, 207 Student Services (556 E. Circle Dr)
Soul Speak
Faciliators: Shari Murgittroyd, LMSW, SAP Coordinator & Cassie Desir, MSW
This group will provide a safe space for studens who want to receive and provide
support around the healing process on a weekly or as-needed basis.
Day and time: Mondays from 4:00 - 5:00pm Beginning September 17, 2012. MSU Counseling Center, Student Services Bldg, room 207.
A pre-group or in-person phone screening interview is required with Shari Murgittroyd at (517) 355-9320 or sharim@cc.msu.edu
OurSpace
Facilitator: Dr. Jen Grzegorek, Ph.D.
OurSpace is a weekly support group for MSU students who wish to explore their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. We aim to provide a safe, comfortable space in which students may explore their identities and obtain support from others.
Day and Time: Tuesdays 4-5 p.m. Starting September 11, 2012
Interested students should contact Jen Grzegorek at jeng@cc.msu.edu or 355-8270 for more information and for location.
Sleep 101
Facilitator: Dr. Jen Grzegorek, Ph.D.
These one-session workshops are for students who are having sleep problems or who simply wish to know how to sleep better. No need to sign up: simply stop by one of these workshops!
Date: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month 
Time: 1 - 2 p.m.
Location: Counseling Center
Starting Tuesday, January 15th, 2013
Questions? Contact Dr. Jen Grzegorek at 355-8270 or jeng@cc.msu.edu