The Counseling and Mental Health Center offers a wide variety of services and programs to meet students’ mental health needs. The services listed below are free workshops and events intended to provide valuable life skills.
While these wellness workshops and events are often led by a licensed mental health professional, and students may certainly find them to be therapeutic, they are not considered formal therapy. Any student can attend the programs listed below regardless of whether they are receiving other services at CMHC. Some options are one-time events, some are drop-in based, and others are brief series requiring prior enrollment.
We hope to expand these offerings over time and are interested in student feedback about what kinds of topics or events would be of most interest. Please click here to submit your suggestions for wellness events or series you would like to see offered.
**Please note: CMHC groups and workshops are not eligible for observation for class assignments.
9 to 11 a.m. CST
Friday 11/10
Integrated Health Staff
CMHC Main Conference Room (SSB 5th floor)
UT-Austin students are invited to join CMHC’s Integrated Health staff to cultivate intentions such as groundedness, acceptance and connection during challenging times.
This free retreat will consist of silent meditation, yoga and guided visualization, with time to process these experiences together
Registration – Click below to register. As there is limited space, please email us if you realize at a later time you cannot make it in order to make your spot available to others.
Tuesdays, 2 to 3 p.m. CST (every other week)
9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 10/31, 11/14, and 11/28
Cassy Moreno
RLP 1.302D
Are you struggling with feeling under pressure from test anxiety? Join this single-session workshop designed just for you, which offers practical insights and skills to conquer test anxiety. Together we will:
This is not a therapy group, and you do not have to be a CMHC client to enroll.
Wednesdays, 3:30 to 5 p.m. CST
8/30 - 11/14 (not meeting 10/18 or 10/25)
Kim Orchowski
CMHC (SSB 5th floor)
No previous art experience is necessary or required.
This five-week workshop offers participants a chance to learn and explore new ways of coping with stress, grief, anxiety, depression and/or trauma through different weekly visual art activities. Participants are invited to engage in self-exploration and self-expression through a variety of art materials—without the expectation to do so verbally. These workshops facilitate increased emotional awareness/identification, relaxation, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, stress management, self-confidence, connections, and joy. Focusing on the process of art making, as opposed to the end product, is encouraged to challenge perfectionistic tendencies and practice mindfulness.
Supplies will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring supplies/materials/small found objects they already own. The following art materials are NOT permitted: X-Acto blades, oil paints or pastels, spray paint or toxic chemicals/solvents.
The series is activity-based and may include brief discussion of concepts/skills. Since the modules can be completed in any order, students can start the workshop at any time of the semester.
This is not a therapy group, and you do not have to be a CMHC client to enroll.
Wednesdays, 5 to 6 p.m. CST
8/23 - 11/29 (not meeting during Fall Break)
Luis Martinez
Virtual
In this one-session workshop, CMHC staff will guide you through the process of finding a counselor outside of UT. If you are considering therapy but are unsure whether it’s for you, don’t know how to pay for counseling or are wondering how to find the right counselor, this workshop can help. Participants will learn the basics of accessing mental health care in the community, including:
This is not a therapy group, and you do not have to be a CMHC client to enroll.
Tuesdays, 4 to 5 p.m. CST
9/12 - 12/5 (not meeting during Fall Break)
Abby Simpson
SSB Room G1.106
Skills for navigating stress and overwhelming emotions.
This four-session workshop allows participants to learn concepts and skills for:
The series is primarily informational with brief group discussions about the skills. Participants are asked to attend the workshop series for 4 weeks in a row. Since the modules can be completed in any order, students can start the workshop at any time of the semester.
This is not a traditional therapy group, and you do not have to be a CMHC client to enroll.
Fridays, 1 to 2 p.m. CST
9/8 - 12/1 (not meeting during Fall Break)
Kathy Melo Li and Halin Chung
Virtual
Learn about mindful substance use and how to use informed decision-making in this workshop specifically designed for college students. Explore techniques for harm reduction, understand substance effects and create a thoughtful usage plan.
This is not a traditional therapy group, and you do not have to be a CMHC client to enroll.
Tuesdays, 3 to 4 p.m. CST
9/5 - 11/28 (not meeting during Fall Break)
Hannah Powers
Virtual
Discover Neurodivergence 101 – a one-session workshop where participants learn about Neurodivergence and getting tested for ADHD/Autism. Whether you're curious if you are Neurodivergent, uncertain about testing procedures, or seeking extra resources, this workshop for you. During our time together, you will explore the essentials including:
This is not a traditional therapy group, and you do not have to be a CMHC client to enroll.
View details on the UHS Nutrition Services page.
Yoga Groups and Workshops
Wednesdays, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. CST
8/30 - 12/6 (not meeting 11/1 or during Fall Break)
Maria Timm, PhD, RYT-200 and Dea Radovancevic
Jeffers Courtroom – TNH 3.140
Scales and Savasana is a drop-in style rotating yoga workshop for students in the School of Law. Participants will learn stress-reduction techniques and practice confidence-building poses designed to build resilience and flexibility, in the legal realm and beyond. This workshop may be particularly helpful for those experiencing feelings of imposterism, as we will focus on accessing internal strength through empowering poses.
Attend one or all workshop sessions and repeat sessions if desired.
Participants should arrive wearing comfortable workout clothing. Yoga mats will be supplied, but students are welcome to bring their own. No prior yoga experience necessary. This workshop is open to all fitness and ability levels. Modifications will be offered for accessibility.
This is not a therapy group, and you do not have to be a CMHC client to enroll.
Tuesdays, 3:30 to 5 p.m. CST
9/5 - 11/14
Ayesha Akbar, RYT-200 and Kristen Pearson, RYT-200
CMHC – SSB 5th floor
This weekly yoga workshop is for students who have experienced trauma and are looking for support with their own healing experience.
Trauma-informed yoga focuses on themes of grounding, choice, connection with one's body, trauma/stress response and regulation. Through the practice, participants will also learn mindfulness skills to practice being in the present moment with intention.
No prior yoga experience is necessary. Open to all fitness and ability levels. This is not a traditional therapy group, and you do not need to be a CMHC client to enroll. Click below to receive more information about this workshop.
