Groups and workshops
In addition to our 1:1 support services, our experienced practitioners also facilitate a range of recurring groups and one-off workshops.
Whether you want to talk things through, try out new strategies or simply feel reassured that you're not alone with a particular challenge, our confidential groups and workshops offer different ways to gain support and learn together with other students.
Groups can be just as effective as individual counselling for many people. They also provide a weekly rhythm that students often find helpful.
Each group provides a confidential and encouraging space for 8–12 members, guided by experienced facilitators. You’ll meet weekly with fellow students who share similar experiences, giving you the chance to share, listen and gain support.
Workshops focus on building and strengthening skills to support you during your studies, life at Cambridge, and beyond.
Each workshop is a 90–180 minute interactive, one-off session exploring a specific topic, facilitated by experienced practitioners.
As long as there’s space, you can join as many workshops as you like in one term. You only need one registration form for multiple workshops.
What's coming up
Click on a heading below to view full details and sign up.
Most groups and workshops are open to all students, but some are only for specific student groups—so make sure to read the details carefully.
If this is your first time registering for a group, find out more about how they work before signing up.
Groups
Day: Thursday
Continues: Weekly
Time: 15:15 – 16:45
Location: Student Support Centre
Aims
By the end of this group, you will have had the opportunity to:
- Experience mutual support
- Explore life issues
- Gain personal insights from being part of the group
The sessions will be facilitated by members from the University Counselling Service.
Next steps
A group facilitator will contact you to arrange a 1:1 pre-group appointment.
Aims
By the end of this group, you will have had the opportunity to:
- Connect with others who have had similar experiences in a supportive space.
- Build a clearer understanding of the impacts of sexual and/or domestic abuse.
- Develop positive coping skills to help you manage these impacts.
- Feel more empowered as an individual and as a survivor.
The sessions will be co-facilitated by one member of the Harassment and Violence Support Service and one member of the University Counselling Service.
What previous group members have said
“Before this group I felt so alone in my experiences, but this group helped alleviate my feelings of shame, and provided me with a lovely community”.
“Powerful, validating, and inspiring. I never felt as secure in myself and my own experiences as I did in this group.”
Next steps
Register your interest for next term here.
A group facilitator will contact you to arrange a 1:1 pre-group appointment. We'll confirm the location after your registration is complete.
Aims
By the end of this group, you will have had the opportunity to:
- Connect with fellow students who have experienced bereavement.
- Feel supported in your own response to the grieving process and know that your experience is valid.
- Share in a sense of community and reduce feelings of isolation.
The sessions will be facilitated by two members of the University Counselling Service.
We do not recommend the group for students whose bereavement is less than three months ago as the group is not suitable for students who are in the early stages of their grief. In those cases, we recommend to request support via individual counselling first.
Next steps
Register your interest for next term here.
A group facilitator will contact you to arrange a 1:1 pre-group appointment. We'll confirm the location after your registration is complete.
Aims
By the end of this group, you will have had the opportunity to:
- Connect with others and explore what it means to be an minoritised ethnic student at Cambridge
- Celebrate your identity and feel empowered to be yourself within the Cambridge community
- Feel supported to thrive in your university experience
The sessions will be facilitated by two members of the University Counselling Service.
Next steps
Register your interest for next term here.
A group facilitator will contact you to arrange a 1:1 pre-group appointment. We'll confirm the location after your registration is complete.
Aims
By the end of this group, you will have had the opportunity to:
- Explore lived experiences and challenges
- Consider helpful coping strategies and self-care
- Find out about useful support networks available to student carers
The sessions will be delivered by two members of the University Counselling Service.
Next steps
A group facilitator will contact you to arrange a 1:1 pre-group appointment. We'll confirm the location after your registration is complete.
Next steps
Register your interest for next term here.
A group facilitator will contact you to arrange a 1:1 pre-group appointment. We'll confirm the location after your registration is complete.
Aims
By the end of this group, you will have had the opportunity to:
- Connect with fellow students who are facing challenges in adapting University’s community and culture.
- Collect and share ideas to develop greater connection and confidence as a member of the University community.
The sessions will be facilitated by two members of the University Counselling Service.
Next steps
Register your interest for next term here.
A group facilitator will contact you to arrange a 1:1 pre-group appointment. We'll confirm the location after your registration is complete.
Workshops
Duration: 4 weeks (every fortnight until 1 December)
Location: Student Services Centre
Register here
Remember, you can use one registration form to sign up for multiple workshops.
Aims
By the end of this workshop, you will have had the opportunity to:
- follow guided creative activities to help explore your thoughts & feelings
- connect with others
This workshop will be delivered by members of the University Counselling Service.
Next steps
Once you've registered you'll get a text message to confirm your place on the workshop(s).
Time: 15:00 – 16:00
Location: Online
Register here
Remember, you can use one registration form to sign up for multiple workshops.
This workshop will be delivered by members of the University Counselling Service.
Next steps
Once you've registered you'll get a text message to confirm your place on the workshop(s).
Time: 15:00 – 16:30
Location: Student Support Centre
Register here
Remember, you can use one registration form to sign up for multiple workshops.
Aims
By the end of this workshop you will have had the opportunity to:
- Explore what anxiety is and that factors that can influence it.
- Learn strategies to reduce its impact and support your wellbeing.
This workshop will be delivered by members of the University Counselling Service.
Next steps
Once you've registered you'll get a text message to confirm your place on the workshop(s).
Time: 12:00 – 13:30
Location: Student Support Centre
Register here
Remember, you can use one registration form to sign up for multiple workshops.
Aims:
By the end of this workshop you will have had the opportunity to:
- Explore how journaling can provide fresh perspectives on yourself, your relationships and your work.
- Learn a simple, practical skill that takes just six minutes a day.
This workshop will be delivered by members of the University Counselling Service.
Next steps
Once you've registered you'll get a text message to confirm your place on the workshop(s).
Time: 12:00 – 13:30
Location: Student Support Centre
Register here
Remember, you can use one registration form to sign up for multiple workshops.
Aims
By the end of this workshop, you will have had the opportunity to:
- Develop a clearer understanding of imposterism and how it impacts wellbeing
- Understand what imposterism is and what it is not
- Learn practical skills to challenge imposterism
- Connect with others who have had similar experiences.
This workshop will be delivered by members of the University Counselling Service.
Next steps
Once you've registered you'll get a text message to confirm your place on the workshop(s).
Guidelines to support your experience
Group-work gives you the chance to both give and receive support with up to 12 other students. To get the most out of your experience and help the group create a safe and supportive space, you’re generally expected to attend every session. Attending both individual counselling and a group at the same time is generally not recommended.
After we receive your application form, you’ll be invited to discuss your personal circumstances in a 1:1 pre-group meeting. This meeting helps ensure that the group can meet your needs and gives you the opportunity to:
- meet the group facilitator
- discuss your personal goals
- explore the type of support that would be most helpful for you
- review any current mental health support you're accessing
- talk through any time commitments you have
- ask any questions you may have
You can also speak to the facilitator during the course of the sessions if your circumstances change.