Students can connect through CAPS therapy groups

The fall semester has begun, and while it brings excitement, it may also cause anxiety. Carolina’s Counseling and Psychological Services team wants students to know they don’t have to face their problems alone.

CAPS provides 24 distinct therapy groups on everything from emotional wellness to therapeutic writing. The diverse set of options for group work aims to show Tar Heels that some struggles aren’t as uncommon as they might think.

“We want to facilitate that connection and that feeling that you’re similar to other people,” Group Coordinator Dr. Anthony Teasdale said. “It can help reduce the sense of shame that people have around their mental health and around their struggles.”

As a psychologist who’s been with CAPS for 10 years, Teasdale has seen the benefits of all kinds of therapy. He and his team know group therapy sessions can help participants see how positive mental health can affect the world around them.

As students settle into their fall semester, personal anxiety can be triggered by classroom assignments or certain social situations. Teasdale says one of CAPS’ goals with group therapy is to make sure students’ focus isn’t dominated by their own struggles and that they know relief can come in the form of listening to similar challenges from fellow students.

“In a group, you’re able to listen to others, offer suggestions or support,” Teasdale said. “It can infuse confidence or make someone feel better about themselves because they were able to help someone else.”

The number of groups aims to eliminate misconceptions that some struggles are too specific to talk about. Offerings include groups on body image, anxiety and chronic illness.

“We keep students’ needs in mind and we add new groups over time,” Teasdale said. “There’s groups for LGBTQ+ students and students dealing with grief. Seeing that there are options gives people the confidence to come out and give group therapy a try.”

Whether it’s not knowing they need help or the social anxiety of discussing potentially triggering topics, students may feel they are not ready to try therapy. That’s why the process of joining a group — which often consists of a pre-group meeting between a student and the facilitators of a chosen group — is a pressure- and judgement- free experience aimed at assuaging many anxieties students might have.

CAPS’ group webpage contains past student feedback to inspire others to take advantage of group therapy and its many powerful benefits.

“I want people to know how powerful an experience group therapy can be, because I’ve seen how it’s changed people’s lives firsthand,” Teasdale said. Any UNC undergraduate and graduate/professional student, or postdoc can reach out to CAPS to indicate interest in group by going to https://caps.unc.edu/services/group-therapy/how-to-join-a-group/