Counseling Services offers new support groups

UHCL’s Counseling Services is now offering support groups for students who identify with the LGBTQ+ community, African-American women and/or students with children.

In an effort to decrease barriers among the diverse community of students at UHCL, Counseling Services has developed the new support groups to reduce stress and loneliness in students’ school and home lives.

“When students handle their emotional stress, they tend to perform better academically,” said Christine Henry, psychologist and group coordinator. “Students tend to hesitate to come into our office for a regular counseling session because then they become clients. There is no paperwork involved in this program; it is not therapy; these meetings are just drop-in support groups.”

The groups meet once a week and are led by a licensed psychologist to get the conversation going and offer resources to group members.

“I feel like having that support system helps so much because sometimes you need an unbiased opinion on a situation,” said Sara Ray, interdisciplinary studies major and Student Parent Association vice president.

The LGBTQ+ support group meets in SSCB 3306 every Thursday from noon to 12:50 p.m. with student discussions focusing on topics such as fitting into the UHCL and LBGTQ+ community.

“I’m so excited that we have this program now,” said Jennifer Kirk, communication major and Unity Club president. “UNITY is always here to support anyone that identifies with the LGBTQ community, but we are not trained to handle every crisis that can occur, and I’m ecstatic that we have the Counseling Service starting up this support group.”

Natalie Garcia, freshman, is equally as excited for the new support groups on campus.

“When I saw the flyer I was a little shocked,” Garcia said. “I felt so much joy in knowing our school offers this type of support since being a part of the LGBTQ community isn’t exactly easy. I felt so relieved throughout the time I was there. It’s so refreshing to have people who understand and support you.”

Kirk said although the world is more accepting, there is still a lot of hate out there.

“Life, in itself, is really hard,” Kirk said. “This support group can be the silver lining for some of our students that may be struggling in any way.”

The Circle of Sisters, a support group for African-American women on campus, meets in SSCB 3.200.07 every Wednesday from noon to 12:50 p.m. The sessions will provide a way to show support and share experiences with other African-American women.

“Students will benefit from having a forum or space in which they can share their thoughts and concerns in a safe environment where they feel more comfortable with themselves unmodified,” said Kevin Johnson, Black Student Association president and Women’s Studies Student Association vice president. “By unmodified, I mean the students will be able to be themselves without having to self-modify to be ‘normal’ or just like others or just like the ‘average’ students who are from a background which does not share the unique challenges and problems which impact the specific group to which the students self-identify.”

The Parenting Support Group meets in SSCB 3304 every Wednesday from noon to 12:50 p.m. Discussion topics revolve around negotiating a parent-student lifestyle balance. Group members are encouraged to share experiences, advice and baby-sitting service referrals.

“I was able to talk about some of the issues I struggle with, mainly the guilt of not spending more time and being more constructive with my son when we are together because I’m exhausted from school and being involved,” Ray said. “They were able to help with the ‘mom guilt’ by helping me focus on what I do with my son and not what I didn’t do.”

For those who do not identify with a support group listed, Counseling Services is also facilitating

Coloring for Calm, a social coloring group where students will be provided with color pencils and adult coloring pages designed to help reduce stress. The coloring group will meet on Mondays in Bayou Atrium II from noon to 12:50 p.m.

“This group is for any student who may want to chat with other students or those who just need a break and want to color,” Henry said.

For more information about the new social groups on campus, contact Christine Henry at (281) 283-2580.