Groups & workshops
Click on one of the groups or workshops below to learn more about mental and physical health and wellness programming available at UVic.
Groups are offered either in-person or via Zoom. To sign up for any of the following, please email swgroups@uvic.ca and include your name, V-number and the workshop you are interested in.
ADHD Virtual Workshop Series
A series of virtual interactive sessions featuring presentations from the fields of medicine, psychology, nutrition, wellness promotion, pharmacy, academic learning strategists, and spiritual care providers.
Wednesdays, January 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 12, 26, April 2 | 3:30-4:30pm | Zoom.
With James Felix (physician)
Registration required: Please call 250-721-8563, email swgroups@uvic.ca or come visit us at the Student Wellness Centre for more information.
BIPOC Support Group
This five session SWC group welcomes BIPOC students (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) to join in a confidential community of support and growth. We will hold space for exploration of diversity, identity and intersectionality. The agenda will be co-created by group members who will voice their hopes, wants and needs. We will share a space for safety, open respectful dialogue, exploration of shared lived experiences and differences through conversation. There will be opportunities for learning, sharing struggles and concerns, acknowledging strengths, resources and appreciations. Mindfulness, journalling, poetry, movement and art could be included.
Wednesdays, January 29, February 5, 12, 26, March 5 | 2:30-4:00pm
With Wendy and Zach.
Registration required: For more information call 250-721-8563, email swgroups@uvic.ca or come visit us at the Student Wellness Centre.
Emotional Regulation Group
Learn concepts, strategies, and techniques that can be used to express and manage your full range of emotions.
Tuesdays, January 28, February 4, 11, 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25 | 2:30pm-4:00pm | In-person
With June Saracuse (counsellor), Ella M.
Registration required: Please call 250-721-8563, email swgroups@uvic.ca or come visit us at the Student Wellness Centre for more information.
Into the Transverse
A group for students who identify as trans, nonbinary, or gender non-conforming, this six-week, 90-minute group will draw on Art Therapy and Narrative Therapy to explore resilience, building affirming connections, and trans joy. No previous art-making experience is required.
Open to students who self-identify as trans, nonbinary, or gender diverse/non-conforming. Max number of participants: 10
Fridays, February 7, 14, 28, March 7, 14, 21 | 1:30–3:00pm
With group co-facilitators: Amanda and Mara G.
To register, please email swgroups@uvic.ca.
Re-Train the Brain
Re-Train the Brain - Train the Brain with our CBT Skills Group
Unlock your mental wellness with our highly rated 8-week Group Course, designed to help you “Retrain Your Brain.” Integrating mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques, this course will empower you to enhance your well-being and manage mild anxiety and low mood. Perfect for students who are experiencing early signs of anxiousness or a dip in mood. Led by Dr. John Kim, a trusted family physician at the Student Wellness Centre, this course is conveniently held over Zoom. Join us and take the first step toward a healthier, more balanced mind!
Tuesdays, January 28, February 4, 18, 25; March 4, 11, 18, 25; April 1 | 3:30-4:30pm | Zoom
With John Kim (physician).
Registration required: For more information please call 250-721-8563, email swgroups@uvic.ca or come visit us at the Student Wellness Centre.
Ready, Set, Maybe
A group for students struggling with eating disorder concerns, this four-week 90-minute in-person group explores topics such as self-defining 'recovery', exploring the purposes and costs of the eating disorder, and contemplating and moving toward value-aligned shifts. Open to students currently engaged with the Eating Disorder Collaborative (EDC) as well as internal counselling referrals for folks not engaged with the EDC but curious about making shifts in their eating disordered behaviours. This group is social justice oriented and draws on Internal Family Systems, Motivational Interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support folks wherever they are at in their relationship to disordered eating.
Fridays, March 7, 14, 21, 28 | 2:00–3:30pm | In person
With Lorna.
Registration required by referral from a Student Wellness Practitioner. For more information call 250-721-8563, email swgroups@uvic.ca or come visit us at the Student Wellness Centre.
Sexualized Violence Group
This 7-week in person group is open to all self-identified women and non-binary students who have been impacted by experiences of sexualized violence.
This group is designed to facilitate connection and belonging, process difficult emotions, generate personal safety, promote healing and overall well-being, and disrupt harmful or otherwise limiting narratives.
Thursdays, February 6, 13, 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27 | 2:30-4:00pm
With Keara and Vanessa.
Registration required: For more information call 250-721-8563, email swgroups@uvic.ca or come visit us at the Student Wellness Centre.
Wild and Well
Join us for this experiential, nature-based group designed to support your wellbeing through reconnecting with the Earth. This group is designed to support students struggling with anxiety, burn out, mental fatigue, or other feelings of disconnection. We’ll explore practices that invite slowing down and connecting with the natural world as a source of wellbeing and a way to reawaken vitality, awe, and belonging to the web of life. All students are welcome and no previous experience with nature-based practices is required.
Location: Sessions will be outdoors and held in Finnerty Gardens here at UVic. We’ll be meeting rain or shine, so please be prepared and dress appropriately for the weather. Additional details will be sent to students who register.
Thursdays, February 6, 13, 27, March 6, 13 | 3:00–4:30pm
With Adam and Brea.
Registration required: Please call 250-721-8563, email swgroups@uvic.ca or come visit us at the Student Wellness Centre for more information.