Drop-In Support/Discussion Groups

Queer Talk

This group meets weekly on Fridays starting 2/9 from 4pm-5pm at the QRC. Please join us for safe, candid conversations about sexual orientation, sexual identity, and your experiences at Amherst College. Check out the Daily Mammoth to learn more about group discussion topics. All are welcome. Facilitated by Britt Billmeyer-Finn LICSW and Caitlin Carmody LICSW.

Time: Fridays 4-5pm

Location: Queer Resource Center

La Plática

A weekly drop-in discussion centering the voices and experiences of Latinx students at Amherst. Facilitated by Lola Brown, MSW, LICSW and Nicole Torres Collado LCSW.

Time: Fridays 4-5pm (biweekly starting September 29)

Location: Jose Martí Room

Therapy Groups (Sign-up required)

Understanding Self and Others

This group meets weekly and provides a supportive environment for students to explore and be curious about how they build relationships, and learn to observe and identify what relational patterns work and do not work for them. In this group, students often gain insight into their identity and self-concept, improve their self-esteem, approach relationship and/or communication patterns in new ways, and explore difficult feelings and how to resolve them. Facilitated by staff therapist Allyson Black-Foley, LICSW  and Program Director of Mental Health Promotions, Garrett Fitzgerald

Time: Thursdays 2-3pm

Location: Hitchcock House

Grief Group

If you are experiencing grief due to the loss of a loved one, we invite you to join this facilitated weekly group, in which we will create a warm, supportive space for dealing with the emotional impact of your loss. Facilitated by staff therapists Cailin Qualliotine PsyD, and Britt Billmeyer-Finn LICSW

Time: Wednesdays 3-4pm

Location: Hitchcock House

Managing Anxiety through Art

This group will draw upon art-making practices such as painting, drawing, collage-making, and crafts to support students as they manage anxiety. Each week, students will engage in creative approaches designed to help them to feel calmer and more connected to themselves and others. No artistic ability or experience is required to join and participate in this group. Facilitated by staff therapist Cailin Qualliotine, Psy.D and post-graduate fellow Jason Hopkins, MSW.

Time: TBD

Location: TBD

This group requires a 30 min pre-group meeting to join. Please contact CCMH at (413) 542-2354 or ccmh@amherst.edu to schedule this meeting.

ADHD Support Group

This group meets Thursdays on zoom. This group offers space for students with ADHD to share their experiences with one another, learn from and connect to each other, notice their strengths and how ADHD impacts their life, sense of self and relationships. Facilitated by staff therapist Britt Billmeyer-Finn LICSW and Senior Clinical Case Manager Meg Kroeplin LICSW

Time: Thursdays 4-5pm

Location: via zoom (link to be provided)

Wise Mind DBT Group 1: Mindfulness and Distress Tolerance

This group meets weekly and offers a space to students who might be experiencing traumatic stress, anxiety/panic, intrusive or difficult thoughts as well as emotions or physical experiences that are overwhelming. This group focuses on mindfulness techniques, distress tolerance skills to support students in deepening their understanding of what is happening, how to slow down the process and be able to make choices about how to care for oneself during these heightened moments of distress. This group is a good match for students who experience themself in crisis moments and want support to not make those moments worse and return to safety. Facilitated by staff counselors Cassiel Owens LICSW and Post Graduate Fellow Bryna Cofrin-Shaw

Time: TBD

Location: TBD

Wise Mind DBT Group 2: Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation

Like Wise Mind DBT Group 1, this group meets weekly and offers space to students experiencing traumatic stress, anxiety/panic, intrusive or difficult thoughts as well as overwhelming emotions or physical experiences. This group is for students who have completed Wise MInd DBT Group 1 or have experience with DBT group/distress tolerance skills. Emotional Regulation focuses on developing skills that decrease reaching crisis, and instead managing difficult emotions in the moment safely.  Facilitated by staff therapists Cassiel Owens LICSW and Britt Billmeyer-Finn LICSW

Time: TBD

Location: TBD

Eating Disorder and Body Image Therapy Group

This is a weekly therapy group that is open to students struggling with disordered eating, body image concerns, diet culture, and controlling behaviors around food and weight. We will work towards reclaiming body acceptance through exploring what is underneath these thoughts and behaviors. We will develop connections with one another and practice adaptive coping. Facilitated by Senior Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Kirstin Ritchie and staff therapist Britt Billmeyer-Finn LICSW

Time: Fridays 2-3pm

Location: Hitchcock House

Sober Network

This group is for students who are navigating sobriety on a college campus and looking for connections. This group is geared towards students who, for any reason, are not using substances. This group will offer support, connection, education and strategies for those engaging in sobriety on a college campus. Facilitated by Program Director of Mental Health Promotions, Garrett Fitzgerald and Clinical Case Manager Lisa Jaffe LICSW

Time: Fridays 3-4pm

Location: Hitchcock House

Mindfulness Strolling Group

This group offers students the opportunity to experientially learn mindfulness through a facilitated mindful stroll on Norwottuck Rail Trail. We will explore ways to connect to our bodies and surroundings, ground ourselves in the present moment, and find accessible ways to cope with stress of our busy schedules. Further we will learn to integrate mindfulness into the day to day. Facilitated by Post-Graduate Fellow Tanner Glen, LCSW and staff therapist Britt Billmeyer-Finn LICSW

Time: TBD

Location: Meet @ Scott House, group takes place on Norwottuck Rail Trail

Men, Talking

This group meets weekly and is open to students who identify as men/and or experience masculinity and would like to discuss their experience. Topics discussed will be member-driven and based on needs from the group. Examples include relationships, managing expectations. and navigating emotional experiences.  Facilitated by Post-Graduate Fellow Tanner Glen, LCSW and Asst. Director Jordan Barnard, Psy.D

Time: Tuesdays 1:30-2:30pm

Location: Smith House

Partnership with McLean Hospital

The Amherst College Center for Counseling and Mental Health (CCMH) is proud to announce a new offering of virtual groups run by professionals at McLean Hospital. These groups are free and available to all students. See the information on the different offerings below.

Bridge to Campus: Amherst Psychoeducational Group

McLean Hospital's College Mental Health Program (CMHP) is offering a weekly psychoeducational group specifically for Amherst students. This group uses a strengths-based and identity informed model to support students in bridging the connection between their mental health and wellbeing, and their personal and academic goals. The group structure allows for both development of concrete coping skills informed by DBT, CBT, and ACT, as well as an opportunity to process and reflect with peers on the multifaceted experience of being a college student. Facilitated by CMHP staff members, Malia Chan, LMHC, and Alison Matthews, LMHC.

Time/Location: Virtual Meeting Wednesday 11-11:50am

Bridge to Campus Outpatient Groups: McLean Hospital College Mental Health Program

For Amherst students who wish to participate in psychoeducational groups with students from colleges and universities across the country, McLean Hospital's College Mental Health Program welcomes them to join one of their three existing outpatient groups. These groups are open to students currently enrolled in college or on a leave of absence, allowing for a range of perspectives, experiences, and insight around college student mental health. Group agendas are informed by the needs of the students in the group. The Wednesday and Friday groups are considered general psychoeducational groups for college students and the Thursday: Self-Care and Wellness group offers a specific focus on eating behaviors, interpersonal relationships, and substance use. Facilitated by CMHP staff members, Malia Chan, LMHC, and Alison Matthews, LMHC.

Time/Location

  • Wednesdays: 2:00-2:50pm - General, zoom
  • Thursdays: 2:00-2:50pm - Self-Care and Wellness, zoom
  • Fridays: 11:10am-12:00pm General, zoom

Project Connect

Project Connect is a peer led discussion group held over multiple weeks. Designed to foster community and develop conversation skills by asking fun and thought-provoking questions in a small, supportive space, with the goal of building resources to create new and deeper connections with each other inside the group and beyond.

 As part of the series your cohort will meet for 3 weeks of conversation groups followed by an outreach activity designed by the group and a final opportunity to share a meal with each other sponsored by the Center for Counseling and Mental Health. 

To find currently offered Project Connect groups follow the link below to our Picktime scheduling portal:

Step 1: Select an open class time.

Step 2: Register for the class

  • Please provide First Name, Last Name, and Email for contact
  • No other fields are required

Step 3: Your Project Connect Facilitator will be in contact with you and your cohort to finalize time and location for your first meeting.

Please register for no more than one class at a time.

https://www.picktime.com/ACCCMHPrograms

Outreach and Training

We often provide training, workshops, and educational sessions for members of the Amherst community, including faculty, staff, and departments/centers on campus. Topics include tips on accessing and connecting with services, responding to students in distress. The Wellness Team and Mental Health Promotion also provide education on a wide range of topics including self-care, listening/support skills, conflict resolution, resiliency, and goal setting.

Visit the Wellness Team site to learn more about their training.