Therapeutic Group
Use the group to understand yourself better and develop skills in interacting.
The Counselling Service offers a Therapeutic Group for students. You are welcome to apply for an assessment to see if the group could help you.
When and where?
The group runs weekly, on Thursdays at 2.15 – 3.45 pm, at the Headington Hill Site. The Group runs throughout the whole academic year, giving members the opportunity to attend the group throughout that time, or for a shorter time. How long you stay in the group is your decision, alongside the recommendation by the group facilitator.
Group structure
- Attend for at least 6 consecutive weeks.
- Each meeting is for an hour and a half.
- A group contains up to 9 members and a facilitator.
- Facilitated by a counsellor, Hania Porucznik.
- Different group members will bring different things to talk about, so a range of issues will be covered.
- The group is based on members not knowing each other. This is to give you more freedom to talk openly, without worrying about friendship relationships.
- Because members attend regularly, membership of the group remains consistent.
How will it help me?
The objective is development of social awareness, increased social ease, and developing new skills and behaviours.
A group is a safe environment where you can:
- experiment with giving and receiving feedback
- explore new behaviours and responses.
A group allows members to give support through both understanding and gentle challenging. It allows members to see themselves through the eyes of others.
Is it confidential?
The group is confidential — group members agree that what is shared in the group remains private.
What is the experience of being in a group like?
Members do not know each other outside of the group. Because members do not have to worry about relationships with each other outside of the group, they find more freedom to speak within the group.
The group starts and ends at the same time every week. A commitment to attend each week is required. This provides continuity, and helps trust develop within the group.
The group is kept free from external and social distractions: No food or drink is permitted in the room during sessions and mobile phones should be switched off.
Beneficial experiences include:
- Being able to listen to, and learn from, other people's experiences and ideas
- Learning about yourself and others
- Giving and receiving feedback and support — seeing yourself as others see you, as well as bringing your own understanding to the group
- The opportunity to address a range of issues
Am I eligible?
All students are eligible to join the group. Hania, the group's facilitator, will meet you before you join the group to make sure that the group could be helpful to you.
How do I join the group?
Please complete our Registration Form. You can download the form or get it from our reception:
- Download a Registration Form by clicking here.
Save onto your computer. Complete the form and save again. Then email the form to ssrecpt@brookes.ac.uk. - Email for a Registration Form or for further information: ssrecpt@brookes.ac.uk.
- Telephone for a Registration Form or further information: 484650 (external); 4650 (internal).
If you prefer, you can come into reception. The Counselling and Advisory Services Reception is on Level 1, Helena Kennedy Student Centre, Headington Hill site. Paper copies of the Registration Form are available. Please tell us if you require help in completing the form.
After we have received your form, we will invite you for an appointment with Hania, who facilitates the group. This will enable you to find out more, and to discover if the group could be helpful for you.
A commitment to at least 6 weeks is required.
If you are already seeing a counsellor, you may discuss the Therapeutic Group with them before speaking to Hania.
Information sheet:
You can download an information sheet for this group