If You Build It, They Will Come:
Creating a Robust Group Therapy Program

Diana E. Damer, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Program Director for Group Services
University of Texas at Austin

Group therapy is the desert mirage of university and college counseling centers. It teases with potential relief from the continual influx of students seeking services from parched clinicians: Group therapy has been shown to be at least as effective as individual therapy, and research suggests that it is the treatment of choice for the most common presenting issues at college counseling centers. In addition, group therapy is a cost-effective way of delivering services. And yet, group therapy is underutilized by clients in college counseling centers and group leaders struggle to fill their groups? In this program, common obstacles to building a successful group therapy program will be identified and evolving strategies that have been useful in one large university counseling center will be shared.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Identify potential benefits of increasing the saturation and scope of group therapy in their home university/college counseling center (UCCC)
  
• Identify key factors in building a strong group therapy program
  
• Describe strategies for enhancing clinicians’ commitment to referring to group and providing group therapy
  
• Describe strategies for overcoming objections and getting clients excited about group therapy
  
• Share effective internal and external marketing strategies for group therapy
  
• Address logistical issues that interfere with successful group referral and treatment
  
• Implement an efficient strategy for recruiting and screening college students for group