Mindfulness for Health and Well-Being
Co-lead by Melanie Nuszkowski, M.A. & Clark Pinson, M.A.

Do you want to get out of your head and live your life? Are you interested in developing greater calmness, clarity, and insight? The Mindfulness Group may be for you! Distressing thoughts and sensations are part of life. Through Mindfulness practice, you can learn to react to the inevitable ups and down of life in a healthy and adaptive way. Mindfulness entails a nonjudgmental way of being, experiencing, and responding to life. The practice of mindfulness can lead to greater compassion, understanding, and calm.

This is an 8 week group focused on learning and practicing the basic principles of mindfulness, and using these principles to effectively deal with distressing thoughts and sensations.

Groups will be held on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, beginning on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at the Carruth Center. The Carruth Center is located on the 3 rd floor of the Student Services Building, next door to the Mountainlair on the Downtown Campus. Please call 293-4431 to meet with one of the co-leaders to find out more.

Parents Realizing Their Potential as Students (PROPS)
Tandy McClung, EdD and Teresa Stire, M.A., co-leaders

Come and join our support group for the hardest working students on the campus. Last year we made friends with other parents in similar situations and learned a great deal from each other discussing juggling our hectic schedules, parental guilt, self care and A LOT MORE. Dr. McClung, a previous non-traditional student who returned to graduate school when her daughter was eight months old and Ms. Stire, a graduate student with four children will be leading the discussion.  

THIS GROUP WILL BE HELD AT THE REC CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM
FREE CHILDCARE AT THE MOUNTAINEER KIDS CLUB IS PROVIDED  

Group will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Rec Center Conference Room
Located in the business office, opposite end of the pool
6:00 to 6:30 Free pizza provided for you and your family
6:30 to 7:30 Support Group

Please let us know you are attending by contacting Bethanie at childcare@mail.wvu.edu
Feel free to contact Tandy McClung at 293-4431 for more information

A Family Friendly initiative between Carruth Counseling Center and WVU Child Development & Family Support Services

LGBTQ Support Group
A Carruth Center & Safe Zone Group

This group will focus on the journey of being LGBTQ in a university setting. It is designed to provide a safe, supportive place for LGBTQ students to explore issues related to Coming Out, family/friend relationships, sexuality, gender identity and navigating the university environment.

Day /Time : Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Start Date: September 10 th
Place: Carruth Center for Counseling group room
Group Leaders : T. Anne Hawkins PhD & Melissa Bilski MS

For referral information and to find out more, contact one of the group facilitators:
T. Anne Hawkins email: tahawkins@mail.wvu.edu phone: 293-4431
Melissa Bilski phone: 293-4431

“Welcome to Your Life Abroad”

Join this support group for international students who are adjusting to life in the U.S. If you wish to join this group, please contact Shelley Savage ( Shelley.Savage@mail.wvu.edu) or Aparna Zimmerman ( Aparna.Zimmerman@mail.wvu.edu) by Monday, September 8th. Group will begin on Monday, September 15 th from 6:00-7:30 PM. Location is still to be determined.




Groups Held in Spring 2008


Becoming at Ease Around People
Daniel G. Long II, Ph.D. - Group Leader

Uncomfortable around new people? Having a hard time making friends?

If your heart pounds and your palms sweat at the thought of meeting someone new, and you find yourself staying alone in your room even though you'd like to get out and have friends, this group may be for you! The goal of this group is to help students who experience a lot of discomfort or anxiety in social situations to develop skills for interacting with others and become more socially comfortable. In a relaxed, supportive atmosphere, you will learn some new approaches to dealing with situations you find difficult. You will also find that you are not alone! Call 293-4431 to meet with the group leader to find out more.

There will be 10 group meetings, beginning February 11, 2008 at 5:30 - 7:00 PM. Meetings will be held at the WVU Carruth Center, located on the 3rd floor of the Student Services Center Building, adjacent to the Mountainlair Bookstore.

Enhancing Personal Relationships
Peter J. Kahn, Ph.D. and colleague TBA

This is a group designed for Carruth Center clients who are nearing the end of their individual work and want to continue their personal growth through a group experience, especially one focused on enhancing personal relationships. It is particularly appropriate for students who find building relationships on a university campus challenging, or who frequently feel “left out” socially for whatever reason. Possible issues of common concern might include difficulties with making friends or finding potential dating partners, or making connections generally. The group is envisioned as a safe place to share experience, to gain support and hear feedback from other members, and to develop the kinds of supportive relationships that have been difficult to achieve elsewhere at WVU.

General Therapy Group
Ian Kellems, Ph.D., & Karen Stallwood, M.S.

Would you like to have a place where you can learn how to take better care of yourself emotionally and interpersonally? Would you like to think and feel better about yourself or improve your relationships with others? The goal of this group is to provide a safe environment in which you can address these issues along with other students who share your struggles and concerns.

Groups will be held on Monday evenings from 6:00 – 7:30pm at the Carruth Center Group Room, located on the 3 rd floor of the Student Services Center. Sessions will begin October 8 th and will end December 3 rd. Please call 293-4431 to meet with one of the co-leaders to find out more.

Mindfulness for Health and Well-Being
Matthew Whited, M.S. and Melanie Nuszkowski, M.A., co-leaders

Do you want to get out of your head and live your life? Are you interested in developing greater calmness, clarity, and insight? The Mindfulness Group may be for you! Distressing thoughts and sensations are part of life. Through Mindfulness practice, you can learn to react to the inevitable ups and down of life in a healthy and adaptive way. Mindfulness entails a nonjudgmental way of being, experiencing, and responding to life. The practice of mindfulness can lead to greater compassion, understanding, and calm. This is an 8 week group focused on learning and practicing the basic principles of mindfulness, and using these principles to effectively deal with distressing thoughts and sensations.

Groups will be held on Wednesdays from 5:00 to 6:30 PM, beginning on Wednesday, September 19, at the Carruth Center. The Carruth Center is located on the 3 rd floor of the Student Services Building, next door to the Mountainlair on the Downtown Campus. Please call 293-4431 to meet with one of the co-leaders to find out more.



Acknowledging Your Grief
Mun Kostka, Ed.D. and Sarah Dietz, M.A., co-leaders

Are you struggling with the death of someone close to you and feel like you may need some help to work through your feelings? The Carruth Center is offering a group to help you through this process. The purpose of this group is to provide a supportive environment to explore and work through grief concerns. College campuses can be a difficult environment to find a place to stop and reflect on the impact of losing someone through death. This group will help you set aside a time and place to “reflect, remember, and heal.” The group will be held on Tuesdays at the Carruth Center from 5:00 to 6:30 PM and will be ongoing throughout the fall semester. Interested students can call Carruth (293-4431) for more information or simply come join us any Tuesday, starting September 4.

Women's Group
Melissa Garrison, M.A. and Dawn Garlitz, M.A., co-leaders

This general group will focus on women’s issues and life experiences. This group is designed to provide women with a safe environment in which they can share their concerns and receive support from other women. Group topics will largely be decided by group members and typically include issues pertaining to self-esteem, health, life stressors, family issues, and relationships. Group meetings will be held on Fridays from 2:00-3:30pm. Interested students are encouraged to call the Carruth Center at 293-4431 to find out how to enroll in the group.

Acknowledging Your Grief
Mun Kostka, Ed.D. and Pam Parent, M.A., co-leaders

Are you struggling with the death of someone close to you and feel like you may need some help to work through your feelings? The Carruth Center is providing a group to help you through this process. The purpose of this group is to provide a supportive environment to explore and work through grief concerns. College campuses can be a difficult environment to find a place to stop and reflect on the impact of losing someone through death. This group will help you set aside a time and place to “reflect, remember, and heal.” The group will be held on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:30 PM and will be ongoing throughout the spring semester. Interested students can call Carruth (293-4431) for more information.

Becoming At Ease Around People
Lisa Hamilton, Ph.D. and Debbie Thurneck M.Ed., co-leaders

Uncomfortable around new people? Having a hard time making friends? If your heart pounds and your palms sweat at the thought of meeting someone new, and you find yourself staying alone in your room even though you'd like to get out and have friends, this group may be for you! The goal of this group is to help students who experience a lot of discomfort or anxiety in social situations to develop skills for interacting with others and become more socially comfortable. In a relaxed, supportive atmosphere, you will learn some new approaches to dealing with situations you find difficult. You will also find that you are not alone! Call 293-4431 to meet with one of the co-leaders to find out more.

Meetings will be held from February 7 – April 18 (10 weeks), Weds., 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Groups Held in Fall 2006

Body Image Acceptance Group
Catherine A. Yura, Ed.D. and Melissa Garrison, M.A., co-leaders

Do you ever avoid going to certain places due to how you look? Do you have a specific area of your body that you avoid looking at in the mirror? Is physical intimacy difficult for you due to concerns about your body? Are you tired of worrying about bathing suit season? Do you want to like yourself better just the way you are now?

If you answered yes to any of these questions or if you're a woman who is functioning well in your life but significantly dissatisfied with your body shape or weight, this group is for you. The purpose of this group is to help you understand the causes of body dissatisfaction and how to become more comfortable with and appreciate your body. Women of all weights and body types are welcome. Please realize this is not a weight loss or exercise program.

This 9 week group will begin Monday, September 18, 2006 at 6:00-7:30 PM. Interested students must schedule an individual appointment to meet with group leaders before attending group sessions. Please call 293-4431 for more information or to schedule the pre-group individual appointment.



Homesickness Support Drop-in Group
Lisa Hamilton, Ph.D. and Dawn Garlitz, M.A., co-leaders

Feeling a bit homesick? Thinking you might be the only one feeling this way? If so, then this group may be for you! Our goal is to provide a safe, relaxed, supportive, & hopefully sometimes fun environment for you to talk about your homesickness, learn things you can do to feel better and connect with others who feel the same way. Please come a little early to fill in contact information for us the first time you come.

Group will be held on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 - 7:00 PM at the Carruth Center Group Room, located on the 3rd floor of the Student Services Center. Sessions will begin August 30th and will end October 4th. For more information call the Carruth Center at 293-4431.




                         MORE GROUPS TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY! CHECK BACK SOON!