Group Therapy
Group therapy provides a supportive environment for you to address your concerns, learn from each other, and develop coping skills.
While individual counselling can offer a more tailored approach and deeper exploration of your personal struggles, group therapy can provide a greater sense of community and shared experience.
Why choose group therapy?
- Group therapy has been researched to have similar effectiveness as individual counselling for a wide range of symptoms and conditions
- Uses a semi-structured approach to explore and gain insights into your specific challenges, under the guidance of a mental health professional
- Fosters a sense of community and shared experiences in a confidential setting
- Provides an opportunity to give and receive support and feedback from others, and practice skills in a nonjudgmental environment
Eligibility & sign-up process
Group therapy is facilitated by UCS clinicians, and is open to all NUS students who meet the specific eligibility criteria for each group. Participation in individual counselling is not a prerequisite for joining group therapy.
Fill in registration form
Register your interest to join a specific group, after checking your eligibility criteria.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a brief Zoom session with a group facilitator prior to confirmation of participation.
This session provides an opportunity to determine whether the group is an appropriate fit for your needs and to address any questions you may have.
Registration generally closes 2 weeks prior to the start of each group.
Please note that eligibility criteria and registration deadlines may vary for each group. For detailed information, kindly refer to the information sheet provided for each group below.
Groups in AY2026/2027 Semester 1
All groups are held in-person unless otherwise noted. The specific location will be shared once your participation in the group is confirmed. If there isn't a group that meets your availability or interest, you may fill up this survey form.
Schedule: Wednesdays, 10.00am – 12.00pm · 5 sessions: 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 Sep 2026
Eligibility: All NUS students
This structured, skills-based group is designed to support you in better understanding and managing anxiety. Over 5 weeks, we will explore the psychological and physiological aspects of anxiety, develop practical coping strategies, and engage in reflective group-based learning.
Schedule: Tuesdays, 3.00pm – 5.00pm · 5 sessions: 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 Sep 2026
Eligibility: NUS postgraduate students (PhD/Masters)
For postgraduates — Struggling with self-criticism? You're not alone; this 5-week group offers a safe, supportive space to explore those thoughts, connect with others, and build practical self-compassion skills.
Schedule: Wednesdays, 3.00pm – 5.00pm · 5 sessions: 7, 14, 21, 28 Oct; 4 Nov 2026
Eligibility: NUS undergraduate students
For undergraduates — Struggling with self-criticism? You're not alone; this 5-week group offers a safe, supportive space to explore those thoughts, connect with others, and build practical self-compassion skills.
Schedule: Mondays, 3.00pm – 5.00pm · 6 sessions: 28 Sep; 5, 12, 19, 26 Oct; 2 Nov 2026
Eligibility: All NUS students
Confused or stuck in your romantic relationships? This 6-session group helps NUS students understand their relationship patterns, emotions, and attachment needs in a safe, supportive space.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
Looking for individual counselling or other support? Visit the University Counselling Services main page.