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Groups, Workshops, & Connections

Group approaches to personal growth are frequently the most effective way to explore and support changes you may wish to make in your life. Through these formats, students can gain specific skills and strategies to meet personal goals, explore areas that present personal challenges, and gain support and encouragement from other students. CAPS offers a wide range of Groups in various formats to serve the diverse needs of the UC San Diego Community.

 

Workshops

Workshops meet regularly. Because these workshops focus on the acquisition and practice of specific skills, these workshops typically meet for a shorter period of time (e.g., one quarter) than the other group formats. To join one of our workshops, please contact the leader(s) to get more information.

Community Connections

Community Connections are drop-in groups that meet throughout the academic year and do not require weekly attendance.

SPRing 2026 SCHEDULE (PDF)

Psychotherapy Groups

These groups typically meet weekly throughout the quarter except where indicated. Regular attendance is expected. To join one of these groups, please contact the leader(s) to get more information.

CAPS Calendar

If you have any further questions about Groups, please contact the CAPS Central Office at (858) 534-3755.

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Psychoeducational Workshops

Psychoeducational Workshops

 

Tritons RISE Workshops

Tritons Rise TogetherJoin CAPS and our partners with our RISE Performance Workshops. Based on principles from peak performance and the field of positive psychology, our RISE Workshops are here to promote you reaching your peak in all areas of your life: emotional, physical, and social. 

Visit our Tritons RISE Together page for more information.

Community Connections

Psychotherapy and Support Groups

Psychotherapy & Support Groups

If you are interested in joining a psychotherapy group, please contact the group leader to schedule a group screening appointment. Currently psychotherapy groups meet virtually. Prior to the first group meeting, participants will need to complete the Group Virtual Consent Form and send the form back to the group leader through MyStudentChart or the MyChart app.

Taming Anxiety Group

Tiffany O'MearaManage stress, tame anxiety, and work on your well-being. This is a CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) group to learn how to better manage stress and anxiety. Topics covered include how to identify and change anxious thought patterns, reducing worry and avoidance, managing panic, improving sleep, and increasing well-being. Each week, students will learn effective strategies that they can immediately apply to help tame anxiety.

 

SPRING QUARTER 2026:

  • Tiffany O'Meara, Ph.D., (858) 534-1579
  • The Taming Anxiety Group is not running during the Spring 2026 quarter. If you are interested in joining in Winter 2027, please email Dr. Tiffany O'Meara, Ph.D. at tmomeara@health.ucsd.edu.

Building Social Confidence Group

Tiffany O'MearaWould you like to improve the quality of social interactions and the availability of social support? This group focuses on identifying fears related to social situations, reducing self-defeating coping patterns and strengthening effective social skills. It combines an educational and support approach. Topics covered are tailored for each group, and have included building conversation skills (how to start, sustain, and end conversations), assertiveness training, how to speak up in class, and how to reduce anxiety in social situations such as dating, parties, or professional meetings.

SPRING QUARTER 2026:

  • Tiffany O'Meara, Ph.D., (858) 534-1579
  • If you are interested in joining in the Spring 2026, please send an email to Dr. Tiffany O'Meara, Ph.D. at tmomeara@health.ucsd.edu or fill out the online request form to be added to the group interest list.
  • Where: Student Health Services

Advanced Building Social Confidence/Advanced Anxiety Group

Tiffany O'Meara

This is a group for students who have completed one quarter of the Building Social Confidence OR Taming Anxiety group and would like to continue to work on reducing anxiety, increasing comfort in social situations and increasing their self-confidence. Students get more individualized attention in this group, and topics are dictated by the group members. Come share your own experiences and challenges, and get feedback and support from a caring group of students who share similar experiences. Once you've completed one BSC or TA group, you may join the Advanced group at any time while you are here at UCSD!

SPRING QUARTER 2026:

  • Tiffany O'Meara, Ph.D., (858) 534-1579
  • Contact Dr. O'Meara at tmomeara@health.ucsd.edu for more information.
  • Where: Student Health Services

Body Image Group

Allie-Wagner1_web.jpgThis is a group to create space for understanding the many factors that influence our relationship with our bodies and to find different strategies for moving toward healing with your body. It uses evidence-based techniques to change the way you think about, feel about, and interact with your body.

This group is for students who are already in the SHW ED Treatment Program. For more information contact your CAPS Therapist.

SPRING QUARTER 2026:

  • Allie Wagner, Ph.D.; (858) 534-6493, afwagner@health.ucsd.edu
  • This group is not running during the Spring 2026 quarter.
Building Social Skills Group

David-Diaz_1-web.jpgThe Building Social Skills group is for motivated young adults who are interested in making friends & building relationships. Students make a commitment to attend weekly 90-minute group sessions in an academic quarter. Participants learn social skills & practice these skills during group socialization activities!

 

SPRING QUARTER 2026:

  • David Diaz, Ph.D., (858) 534-3755
  • Contact Dr.Diaz at dadiaz@health.ucsd.edu to express interest in participating in this group.
  • When: Thursdays 23:30 p.m.
  • Where: Marshall College - Coalition Building

Flyer (PDF)

DBT Skills Group

Allie-Wagner1_web.jpgThis group is focused on learning tangible skills for increasing awareness of the present moment, understanding and changing emotional experiences, and tolerating distress without using eating disorder behaviors.

This group is for students who are already in the SHW Eating Disorders Program. For more information, contact your CAPS therapist.

 

SPRING QUARTER 2026:

  • Allie Wagner, Ph.D.; (858) 534-6493, afwagner@health.ucsd.edu
  • This group is not running during the Spring 2026 quarter.

Meal Support Hour

Allie-Wagner1_web.jpgThis group is focused on providing a safe and supportive space for those in recovery from an eating disorder to build community as we share a meal. Bring your own meal.

 

 

 

SPRING QUARTER 2026:

  • Allie Wagner, Ph.D.; (858) 534-6493, afwagner@health.ucsd.edu
  • This group is for students who are already in the SHW Eating Disorders Program. For more information, contact your CAPS therapist.

ACT for Chronic Pain Group

Dr. McGlennJacqueline TejadaDo you have long-standing chronic pain that is getting in the way of you participating in life? People who have chronic pain often try all sorts of methods to make their pain go away, only to feel stuck in a discouraging and futile struggle that causes their life and what’s important to them to take a back seat to the pain of the day. In this 8-week therapy group, participants will learn evidence-based skills to develop a healthier relationship with their pain, so that they can live a fuller and more meaningful life.

SPRING QUARTER 2026:

  • Michael McGlenn, Psy.D. and Tim Stempel, LCSW; (858) 246-0469
  • This group is not running during the Spring 2026 quarter, but please contact Jacqui Tejada (jtejada@health.ucsd.edu) or Tim Stempel (tstempel@health.ucsd.edu) for more information.

Harm Reduction Therapy Group

bryan-balvaneda_1-web.jpgThe Harm Reduction Treatment Group is a 4-week, virtual therapy group focused on promoting safer substance use and reducing negative consequences associated with substance use to help you build more meaning and engagement in life. In this group, you will not be required, asked, or advised to stop or cut back on your substance use if you do not want to. We will learn more about relative risks of substance use behaviors and help you make scientifically informed decisions to improve your quality of life. As we do so, we will also integrate discussions and engagement with your personal values. Exploring values will help you identify and build meaningful engagement with important areas in your life. You will learn harm reduction strategies for substance use, build skills for implementing harm reduction goals, and clarify and engage values.

SPRING QUARTER 2026:

  • Bryan Balvaneda, Ph.D.; (858) 246-3468
  • When: Tuesdays 23 p.m.
  • Where: Virtual via Zoom
  • Interested students can request a referral from their CAPS therapist. If not currently being seen at CAPS, contact CAPS at (858) 534-3755 to request a Brief Telephone Assessment and review a referral to the group.
  • Students interested in individual substance use support, or looking for support around issues related to behaviors (such as gambling, food, sexual behaviors, or technology use issues), can contact CAPS for other support options including individual therapy.

What are Community Connections like?

NOTE: These meetings are not professional counseling. If you would like professional counseling or mental health treatment, please call the CAPS Central Office at (858) 534-3755 or go to our Getting Started page to arrange an appointment.

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