March 10, 2004

Counseling groups set to help students

Abby Colich
Contributing Writer

The Psychological Services Center is planning to hold new counseling groups for students this semester. Students who are shy or need help developing social skills are invited to be part of these counseling groups.

The groups are open to all students, and will meet one evening per week for approximately one and a half to two hours in the Gallagher Student Center. Dates and times will be arranged as soon as enough students have expressed interest.

“We see that it’s a need on campus that a lot of people don’t have adequate social skills in order to adjust to campus life or find a group of friends that can support them,” said Ashley Darling, a psychology department graduate assistant who will be working with the new counseling groups. In addition to Darling, another graduate assistant and two doctoral students will help run the counseling groups while being overseen by an adjunct professor, also from the psychology department.

The counseling groups should serve as a satisfying and convenient experience, and are not intended to be stressful. Students attending will participate in activities that will help them learn the skills needed to deal with any social awkwardness they may have.

The groups will also be a great opportunity for students to meet other people and make friends.

The Psychological Services Center provides counseling to students, staff, alumni and members of the greater Cincinnati community.

The services are provided by members of the psychology department who are professors and also clinical psychologists. The center is also staffed with doctoral and graduate psychology students.

Anyone wanting more information or is interested in participating should call Melissa Beaudoin at 745-1032.