Group therapy sessions are led by 1-2 facilitators (University Counselling Services clinicians), on a weekly or fortnightly basis for a fixed number of sessions during the semester. Sessions are conducted in English. Each group typically has between 8-12 members. There will be a mix of structured activities and opportunities for open sharing. You can expect a casual and interactive environment for exploration and discussion, rather than a classroom-style learning.  

Whether group therapy is a good fit depends on your specific needs and challenges, as well as the goals you hope to achieve at this time. Many students who may feel shy or struggle interpersonally can derive immense benefits from working through these issues in a group format. However, if you are currently going through a personal crisis, traumatic situation, or acute mental health struggle, individual counselling may be more suitable to address your concerns on a deeper level. 

It is normal for many students to feel nervous about starting group therapy. Our group facilitators are trained to ease participants into the process gradually, and you are free to share at your own pace and comfort level. It is our experience that most participants will start to feel more comfortable in the group and interact more openly as the sessions progress. Alternatively, you can consider whether individual counselling may be a better fit for your needs at this time. 

Based on your responses to the screening questionnaire, you should have received an email detailing the services most appropriate for your current needs. Our allocation process is designed to prioritise group therapy placements for individuals most likely to benefit from this form of support. If you believe you have received this message in error or require further assistance, please contact us at UCS@nus.edu.sg 

Commitment to attending sessions is an important part of the group process, in order to build trust and cohesion between participants. Unlike a class, you may not be able to catch up on the activities and sharing retrospectively. However, we understand that unexpected life events do happen. Should you be unable to attend a session, do inform your group facilitators in advance. If you miss multiple sessions, your facilitators may review whether it would be beneficial for you to continue participating in the group.  

In the NUS environment, it is possible that you may have existing personal relationships with other participants (e.g. same hostel, same lab). For confidentiality reasons, we do not reveal the identities of other group members prior to the start of the sessions. If you encounter issues in the first session, please discuss it privately with your group facilitators as soon as possible. Unless it is a couples’ group, we generally discourage partners from signing up for the same group, as it may impact the group dynamics. 

Due to the commitment required, it is recommended that you do not sign up for more than 1 group per semester. You are not precluded from joining another group in a subsequent semester, however you will need to go through the same sign-up and screening process as other participants. 

Yes, you may. In some cases, individual and group interventions can go well together and enhance your overall progress. We recommend that you discuss with the group facilitators and/or your individual counsellor to determine the best option for you. 

All groups are held in-person unless otherwise noted. The specific location will be shared once your participation in the group is confirmed.