First Gen Roots led by Joseph A. Ramirez, MA & Menchie Agtarap, MA
Mondays 3:30-4:30 pm
Are you the FIRST in your family to attend college? CAPS welcomes all 1st generations students to our weekly support group to gather, connect, and empower one another through shared experiences! Our goal is to support you in navigating the unique challenges and celebrating your accomplishments on this journey for personal and academic growth.”
Express Yourself: Arts & Crafts led by Menchie Agtarap, MA
Tuesdays 3-4:30 pm
A weekly group session for UC Merced students focused on using art as a tool for self-discovery, creative self-expression, and self-care, with different themes and arts & crafts activities each week.
Social Game Changers led by Joseph A. Ramirez, MA & Bri Freeman, PsyD
Tuesdays 1-2:30 pm
CAPS invites all UCM scholars to this dynamic gaming group to help foster essential social skills by playing tabletop games! Join us on our mission to create a supportive environment where you can begin mastering the social challenges of university life. This journey will involve building meaningful relationships and leveling up your communication skills by socializing with others through our shared love of gaming.
Express Yourself: Arts and Crafts led by Grace L. Abear, M.S, PsyD
Wednesdays 3-4:30 pm
A weekly group session for UC Merced students focused on using art as a tool for self-discovery, creative self-expression, and self-care, with different themes and arts & crafts activities each week.
Morning Mindfulness led by Darrah Wilson, LMFT
Wednesdays 9-10 am and Fridays 9-10 am
Guided mindfulness sessions led by an experienced clinician, learning techniques to enhance focus, reduce stress, and boost well-being. Incorporates meditation, mindful movement / seated yoga, body scans and awareness, and strategies to incorporate mindfulness into daily life.
Transforming Trauma Through Art led by Bri Freeman, PsyD
Wednesdays 1-2:30 pm
This trauma-focused art therapy group is all about healing through creative expression. Members will engage in various art activities as they. explore and learn about the impact of trauma on themselves and the world around them. No previous art experience is needed.
Building Resiliency led by Jessica Herrington, LMFT
Thursdays 9-10 am
A transformative and supportive group designed to empower individuals facing academic and personal challenges. Using the principles of the Community Resiliency Model (CRM), our group focuses on building emotional resilience, fostering positive narratives, and providing a nurturing community for growth. Participants will gain greater awareness their nervous system, learn to track sensations in their body, practice mindfulness techniques to ground in the present moment, reset their nervous systems, and expand their window of tolerance. Through collaborative activities and interactive sessions, participants will develop essential skills to navigate challenges, celebrate successes, and collectively rewrite their personal and academic narratives.
Find Your Focus led by Bri Freeman, M.S, PsyD
Thursdays 11 am-12 pm
Do you often find yourself struggling to maintain focus, manage time, or organize tasks effectively? If so, our "Find Your Focus" group therapy provides a supportive and understanding community for individuals experiencing attention and executive functioning difficulties. This group aims to empower participants with practical strategies, shared experiences, and a sense of connection in their journey towards understanding how to work with their attention span.
Graduate Support Group led by Harvey Zhang, PsyD
Thursdays 11 am-12 pm
A group to help graduate students connect and support one another.
DBT Skills led by Darrah Wilson, LMFT
Thursdays 1-2pm by referral only
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) group is a structured and supportive environment that offers the opportunity to learn and practice skills aimed at managing emotions, improving relationships, and enhancing overall well-being. DBT group will focus on four main skill sets: Mindfulness: Participants learn to increase awareness of their thoughts, feelings, and surroundings in the present moment, fostering a greater sense of control. Distress Tolerance: Techniques are taught to manage and tolerate distressing situations without resorting to harmful behaviors, focusing on acceptance and coping mechanisms. Emotion Regulation: Individuals learn strategies to identify and regulate intense emotions, promoting emotional stability and reducing impulsive reactions. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Skills are taught to improve communication, assertiveness, and relationships, enabling participants to navigate interactions more effectively.
Queer Chat led by Grace L. Abear, M.S, PsyD & Joseph A. Ramirez, MA
Thursdays 3-4 pm (hybrid), begins 2/8/24
The CAPS' LGBTQIA+ weekly support group represents our dedication to the holistic support and development of our campus community. Currently, this service is reserved for UC Merced students who identify within the LGBTQ+ community and/or are questioning their sexual orientation/gender identity.
Online support through University of California campuses:
"Eye of the Storm" Alternative 12-Step Recovery Meeting (Hybrid Format) Saturdays 8:00 PM
Open Meeting for anyone in recovery or considering recovery. It is not a formal 12-step program, but discussion may center around the concepts of the 12 steps.
Zoom Meeting ID: 891 3748 9617
Queer Trans Harm Reduction Meeting: Thursdays 5:00 PM
A peer support group for Queer and Trans undergraduate and graduate students across the UC-system in or seeking recovery, practicing harm reduction, struggling with substance use or anything in between. Potential topics include moderating use, responding to triggers, exploring alternate coping strategies, identity and substance use, navigating relationships and more. All are welcome. Please register using the form tinyurl.com/qtgroup to receive the zoom link.
Gauchos for Recovery Open 12-step Meeting (Hybrid Format) Wednesdays 8:15 PM
Student-led meeting, open to those in any type of or stage of recovery, as well as those considering recovery. This is not AA or NA or any other formal program, but discussion may center around the concept of the 12 steps. On zoom - Meeting ID: 883 5515 2727 - No password needed
Aggies for Recovery Group Meetings:
Day / Time: Mondays 10am - 11am
Zoom: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/3765177174?omn=96527127706
Day / Time: Sundays 7pm - 8pm
Zoom: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/3765177174?omn=96527127706
Queer Trans Harm Reduction Group: Thursday 5-6pm on Zoom
A peer support group for Queer and Trans undergraduate and graduate students in/seeking recovery, practicing harm reduction, struggling with substance use or anything in between. Potential topics include moderating use, responding to triggers, exploring alternate coping strategies, identity and substance use, navigating relationships and more. All are welcome.
Please register using the form tinyurl.com/qtgroup for the link
