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.
Wednesdays, 3 to 4:30 p.m. CST
6/7 - 7/5
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
6/7 - 8/11
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.
Registration – Click below to enter your name and email address. The leader(s) will send a follow-up email containing the Zoom link.
Yoga Groups and Workshops
Thursdays, 3 to 4:30 p.m. CST
6/8 - 7/27 (not meeting on 6/29)
Alexandra Okeke-Banks, LPC, RYT
CMHC – SSB 5th floor
Please note that discussion groups are not therapy groups.
All CMHC groups are free and confidential.
Through discussion, examination, processing, community and yoga, this drop-in group provides an open space for students with BIPOC identities. Yoga engages individuals in mind-body connection, mindfulness and grounding. It can also assist with coping and processing issues related to identity-based trauma. Students can participate in one, some or all workshop sessions. No prior yoga experience is required.
Registration - Not necessary. Participants are not required to participate each week and can drop in for one, some or all group sessions. Click the link below to receive reminder emails about the group.
For questions or more information - Contact Alexandra Okeke-Banks.
Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
6/6 - 8/8 (not meeting 6/13)
Maria Timm, PhD, RYT-200
Meet at TNH 3.121 to walk to the oak trees on the south lawn of the Law School
Root to Rise is a drop-in style rotating yoga workshop for students in the School of Law. 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. Themes are noted below.
The facilitator will send an email if needing to cancel or move to a backup location due to weather.
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
6/6 - 7/25
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.
