Despite all the uncertainty and instability in the world right now, Sonoma State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services continues to offer groups and workshops that students might not be aware of.

The team at CAPS mentioned in a joint statement, “Since moving to Zoom sessions, we have noticed a decline in the number of students attending our groups and workshops.”

On top of counseling, CAPS offers students a variety of services including workshops and groups meetings. CAPS has two workshops planned for this semester and offers a variety of group meetings Monday-Friday free of additional cost to students.

This semester CAPS plans to host two workshops: ‘Keep a Seawolf S.A.F.E.’ and ‘The Struggle is Real, so How do we Deal?’. Facilitated by Dr. Andrew Kerlor Meyers, ‘Keep a Seawolf S.A.F.E.’ discusses helpful techniques to use while supporting a student in distress. CAPS’ website explains that ‘The Struggle is Real So How do we Deal’ is a six-session workshop aimed towards helping students work on their self-compassion. 

The program offers two types of groups to students: process groups and drop-in groups. Process groups continue to meet on a regular basis to allow for deeper connections. Drop-in groups allow students to attend when they want to with no obligation. CAPS plans to begin drop-in groups the week of February 1st and process groups the week of February 8th. 

Students also have the ability to start their own group through CAPS. The team at CAPS explained, “If there are at least five students that would like to have a specific group and can meet at the same time, then CAPS will have a staff member facilitate the group. We have actually had a few of our ongoing groups start this way”. 

Additionally, CAPS offers current students relationship counseling by appointment. Relationship counseling allows students to discuss problems within both platonic and romantic relationships. 

The team of counselors at CAPS explained, “CAPS actually offers a few options for relationship counseling. Students can seek support in the form of individual therapy, couples/relationship therapy, or they can register for the relationship group we offer. Zoom-based couples/relationship therapy with CAPS requires all partners to be currently enrolled SSU students. We also want to clarify that when we say couples or relationship we are not only referring to heteronormative couples or romantic relationships”. 

CAPS provides six process groups: ‘Grief and Loss in the Time of COVID-19’, ‘Survivors of Sexual Assault’, ‘Not the Perfect Family’, ‘I Want to Know What Love is: A Relationship Group’, ‘Building Connections for Men’, and ‘Womxn’s Group’. 

There are five drop-in groups offered: ‘Fidget to Focus: ADHD and Learning Skills Group’, ‘Managing Racial Trauma & Stress’, ‘Women of Color Collective’, ‘Common Thread: LGBTQIA+ Support Group’ and ‘Mindful Self-Compassion’. 

SSU student Deja Whitney has utilized a number of CAPS services, and frequently attends the Women of Color Collective drop-in group. Whitney described their experience with CAPS programs as generally positive. 

When asked what they would say to students considering CAPS using programs, Whitney answered: “CALL! Tara is really nice and really knowledgeable about their services. She will help you get connected to what you need”. 

College students in particular face a continually changing landscape with many unknowns during COVID-19. The counseling team encourages students to give groups a chance at attending mentioning that research indicates having a community can improve mental health. 

To learn more about the programs offered by CAPS’ visit their website:https://caps.sonoma.edu/.