CAPS Groups Fall 2026
College can be exciting, challenging, and sometimes overwhelming—but you don’t have to navigate it all on your own! Group therapy offers a welcoming space to connect with other students, share experiences, learn new skills, and discover that you’re not alone. Through guided conversations and engaging activities, groups provide opportunities to build confidence, strengthen relationships, and grow alongside others who understand the college experience.
For more information about joining a CAPS group, please call our office at 504-520-7315.
Better Together: Why Should You Join a CAPS Group?
- A sense of community- Create meaningful connections and feel more engaged with the campus community
- Realize you are not alone- Discover that the challenges you’re experiencing are shared by more people than you may realize.
- Develop a stronger sense of self- Explore who you are, what you need, and what matters to you
- Receive honest feedback- Gain thoughtful perspectives have can help you understand yourself and push you to grow.
Current Group Offerings
Begins Thursday October 1, 2026
Thursday | 3:00pm-4:00pm | St. Joe’s, CAPS Office Room 202A
Closed group | weekly, 60 minutes | 6 weeks
This group is for students who want to better understand anxiety, develop coping skills, and improve their emotional wellbeing.
This group may be a good fit for you if: You find yourself frequently worrying about school, relationships, the future, or everyday life. You experience overthinking or have a hard time quieting your thoughts. You struggle with perfectionism or putting pressure on yourself.
Skills you may learn: identifying triggers, tolerating uncertainty, emotional regulation, staying present
Begins Monday September 29, 2026
Monday | 12:00pm-1:00pm | CAPS Office Room 202A
Ms. Unitra Long, M.A., LPC-S, NCC | ulong@xula.edu
This group is for students who want to develop practical skills for managing conflict, communicating effectively, and building healthier relationships.
This group may be a good fit for you if: You have a hard time speaking up about your needs or concerns. You find yourself becoming overwhelmed, angry, defensive, or shutting down during conflict. You are navigating tension with a roommate, friend, partner, classmate, or family member.
Skills you may learn: understanding you conflict style, active listening, assertiveness, de-escalation skills
Begins Wednesday September 30, 2026
Wednesday | 3:00-4:00pm | CAPS Office Room 202A
Closed group | weekly, 60 minutes | 6 weeks
This group is for students who are grieving the death of a loved one, ending of a relationship, or a significant life change.
This group may be a good fit for you if: You feel like grief is affecting your academics, relationships, or everyday life. You feel overwhelmed by sadness, anger, loneliness, guilt, or other emotions connection to grief. You are interested in learning healthy ways to care for yourself while grieving.
Skills you may learn: finding meaning after loss, adjusting to change, coping with difficult days, building resilience
Tuesday | 3:00pm-4:00pm | CAPS Office Room 202A
This group is for students who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community and are looking for an inclusive space to connect with others.
This group may be a good fit for you if: You are questioning or curious about aspects of your identity. You are navigating coming out, disclosure, or deciding who to share your identity with. You want to building confidence in expressing who you are and what you need.
Skills you may learn: self-acceptance, finding community, developing self-advocacy, challenging internalized beliefs.
*Group topics may change per presenting needs and areas of interest.
FAQ's
Joining a counseling group can help you feel less alone, connect with others who understand what you’re experiencing, and gain new perspectives. Groups also provide opportunities to develop coping skills, build confidence, and practice healthy ways of communicating and connecting with others.
Yes! The two can complement each other by providing personalized support in individual sessions while offering connection, shared experiences, and opportunities to practice new skills in a group setting.
Groups are scheduled to start the week of September 28th, however, the start date of the group is subject to change depending on when the facilitator has identified enough members for the group to be effective. Please call the office at 504-520-7315 for the most recent updates.
Group activities vary depending on the group’s focus, but may include guided discussions, interactive activities, skill-building exercises, reflection, and opportunities to learn from others’ experiences.
Life happens! If you need to miss a group, simply let your group facilitator know as soon as possible. Your facilitator can help you understand any group-specific attendance expectations and provide guidance on how to stay connected and engaged when you return.
If you know what group you would like to join, you can call the CAPS office at 504-520-7315 and let our Care Coordinator what group interests you. If you are already a student receiving services at CAPS, you can speak with your individual therapist about group options and they will support you in taking next steps. You will be asked to complete a “Group Screening” to ensure that the group is a good fit for you.
Contact Us
Office of Counseling Services
St. Joseph Academic & Health Resource Center
Building #13, Room 202
Office: 504-520-7315
Fax: 504-520-7943
Mailing Address
1 Drexel Drive
P.O. Box D
New Orleans, LA 70125
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM
After 5:00 pm - By Appointments Only