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Counselling Services: Groups and Workshops

Posted by Counselling Services on March 4, 2014 in General Announcements

SPEAK EASY PROGRAM
Ìý
The SPEAK EASY Program is for you if:
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Anxiety makes it difficult for you to give class presentations or participate in group discussions.
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You would like to talk to groups calmly and confidently.
Ìý
Public speaking anxiety is typically associated with worried thinking and physical tension or other physical sensations (e.g. sweaty palms, dry throat, blushing etc.).
Strategies and skills on how to moderate worried thinking and physical tension will be provided.Ìý Another goal of the Speak Easy Program is to provide opportunity to practice these
skills and strategies.
Ìý
The program consists of five small group sessions, one and a half hours each.Ìý The following topics are addressed in the sessions:Ìý understanding anxiety, identifying worry thoughts,
Ìýconstructing replies to bothersome thoughts, progressive muscle relaxation, and brief applied relaxation.Ìý Practical suggestions or tips on public speaking are integrated with the practice sessions.
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The SPEAK EASY Program is not recommended for students who already feel comfortable speaking to groups, but who would like to polish their skills.
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This group will meet weekly in the Counselling Centre for 4 sessions on Fridays, fromÌý 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm, beginning March 14th, 2014 (with 3 further sessions).
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For more information or to register in person visit the Counselling Centre, 4th floor, Student Union Building, or call 494-2081, or email: groupcps@dal.ca.
Ìý

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Ìý

Asperger's/Autism Spectrum Support and Intervention Group Ìý
Ìý

Drs. Shannon Johnson and Melissa McGonnell will facilitate a group for university students who have a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome/Disorder or
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), February - March, 2014 (dates and times TBD).ÌýÌý Ìý

The goal of the group is to help people with ASD adjust to and cope with the social and academic challenges often experienced in university.Ìý Ìý

This group will also provide opportunities to meet other university students with ASD and learn about social and academic resources available at university.ÌýÌý Ìý

It is open to students of Dal, King's and NSCAD.ÌýÌýÌýÌý Ìý

If you are interested in learning more or registering for this group, please contact the HÂþ»­ Counseling Centre, (902) 494.2081 or recepcps@dal.ca Ìý
Ìý

See this link for a brief news story on the group program:

http://www.dal.ca/news/2014/01/15/casting-a-support-net.html Ìý


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SLEEP and RELAXATION WORKSHOPS

These two-hour workshops include tips on how to fall asleep faster and Ìý
feel more refreshed during the day.Ìý Participants will also learn Ìý
relaxation techniques, including deep breathing, progressive muscle Ìý
relation, and visualization.

Friday, March 14th, 2014ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Thursday, April 3rd, 2014ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 1:30 - 3:30 pm

All workshops are to be held within Counselling Services.

For further information please call 494-2081.

To register, drop into the Counselling Services, 4th Floor, S.U.B., Ìý
HÂþ»­ University or e-mail: groupcps@dal.ca
Ìý
Ìý
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Coping with Exam Anxiety

Do you feel so anxious before and during exams that you worry it Ìý
stands in the way of doing well?Ìý This Workshop is intended for Ìý
students who experience disruptive anxiety before and/or during exams, Ìý
despite having generally adequate study habits.Ìý This Workshop will Ìý
focus on identifying and changing worrisome thoughts, gaining Ìý
perspective through mindfulness, and calming oneself though breathing.

Open to DAL, Kings, and NSCAD students.

One day workshop:ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Tuesday, April 1st, 2014ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
(to be held within the Counselling Centre)

Registration is required as space is limited.

To register, drop by the Counselling Centre, 4th Floor Student Union Building or

call 494 - 2081 or e-mail: groupcps@dal.ca


ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý EATING DISORDERSÌý DROP-IN GROUP

The Eating Disorders Group is an on-going group which continues until Ìý
the end of the academic year.Ìý The Group is for students who are Ìý
experiencing difficulties with eating in the form of severe Ìý
restrictions or anorexia nervosa, binging with or without purging or Ìý
bulimia, and compulsive overeating.Ìý The focus of the group is to Ìý
provide a safe setting, support self-defined change, and resolve Ìý
underlying feelings.

Tuesdays: 5:30 - 6:30 pm in the Counselling Services Centre


ÌýFor further information you may contact or visit the Counselling Ìý
Centre, 4th floor, S.U.B., HÂþ»­ University.
Telephone 494-2081, or visit our website http://counsellingservices.dal.ca

Email: groupcps@dal.ca

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Living With Loss: A Grief Support Group
Wednesdays, 1:30 - 2:30 pm
DROP IN SESSIONS

Ìý
This group is appropriate for students who have experienced a Ìý
significant loss.Ìý Most commonly, that would be the death of a loved Ìý
one, but could also include the break-up of a significant relationship Ìý
or major loss.Ìý The group will involve mainly discussions, with some Ìý
individual activities.Ìý Various topics will be covered throughout the Ìý
year.

This is a drop-in group.Ìý Students can attend as many sessions as they need.

We recommend that you call our office (494 2081) each Wednesday to Ìý
confirm that the group is taking place.

To be held within HÂþ»­ Counselling Services,Ìý 4th floorÌý Student Ìý
Union Building.
For more information, e-mail:ÌýÌýÌýÌý jvrushto@dal.ca
Ìý
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Ìý
MINDFULNESS GROUP
Kathrine Lincoln, M.Sc. R.Psych


The Mindfulness Group is for students who would like to learn and practice being aware, present, attentive and focused.Ìý Mindfulness practice involves paying attention on
purpose with compassion, non-judgmentally, fostering kindness and compassion toward self and others. (Jon Kabat-Zinn, 2004)

Cultivating Mindfulness by learning how to pay attention to present experiences "can directly improve the functioning of the body and brain, subjective mental life with its
feelings thoughts, and interpersonal relationships". (Siegal, 2007)
Ìý
ÌýDrop In: Ìý

ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý TuesdaysÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 9:00 – 9:45 am
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý WednesdaysÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 3:00 – 3:45 pm
Ìý
For more information contact: Ìý

HÂþ»­ Counselling Centre, 4th Floor, SUB or e-mail: groupcps@dal.ca
or phone: 494 2081
Ìý
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Ìý

GRADUATE STUDENT SUPPORT WORKSHOPS Ìý

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These workshops are designed for students in graduate programs, who are struggling to manage stress,Ìý or to find motivation to complete their degree.
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There are three workshops scheduled.Ìý Students can attend one or more, depending on their interests and needs.
Ìý
Ìý

1.ÌýÌý How to be a grad student (and still have a life):ÌýÌý Thursday, March 13th, 1:30-3:30pm
Ìý

-managing time, exploring the various roles involved in being a grad student, finding balance


2.ÌýÌýÌýÌý Under Pressure:Ìý Dealing with stress:ÌýÌýÌýÌý Thursday, March 20th, 1:30-3:30pm
Ìý

Ìý -exploring unique grad school stressors,Ìý self care,Ìý relaxation skills, avoiding burnout


3.ÌýÌýÌýÌý Keep Your Eyes on the Prize -Ìý Maintaining Motivation:ÌýÌý Thursday, March 27th, 1:30-3:30pm
Ìý

-short term and long term goals, rekindling your passion for research and writing, finding meaning in the grad school experience.

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You can register in person at the Counselling Centre, 4th floor, S.U.B., HÂþ»­ University, or by calling 494-2081, or by e-mail: groupcps@dal.ca
Ìý

For further information, visit our website at http://counsellingservices@dal.ca

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Communication Skills for Pre-Pharmacy Students
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Thursdays:ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý March 13, 20, 27, and April 3, 2013ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 5-630pm
Counselling Services,
4th Floor, Student Union Building
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Ìý
Whether speaking with a patient, providing consultation to a physician, or discussing an issue with another health care colleague, pharmacists actively listen for understanding,
empathy and accuracy. Active listening enhances conversations and is an essential counselling skill.

These skills are valuable when working with patients and colleagues and will improve how you communicate in your personal relationships. They are also very helpful in preparation
for the communication scenarios you will experience if the School of Pharmacy you are applying to uses the multiple mini interview (MMI) protocol.

ÌýThis four session experiential program is a highly practical and interactive opportunity to enhance your communication skills by:
examining the skills of effective listeners;
reflecting on your communication style;
identifying common communication problems and barriers;
examining the role of non-verbal communication;
refining effective questioning skills;
increasing your ability to listen empathically; and
developing and practising listening and responding skills.
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You will be working both individually and in small groups on a variety of exercises, discussions and skill building role-plays. Practice and skill development is done in a safe and supportive environment.
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Space is Limited.Ìý To Register:ÌýÌý groupcps@dal.caÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý subject line Pre-Pharmacy
Ìý
Jeanette Hung MEd (Counselling) CCC, RCT, is the Career Counselling Services Coordinator, Counselling Services.Ìý Jeanette has provided numerous MMI workshops and Practise Clinics to pre-med and pre-pharmacy
students, as well as communication and presentation workshops to medical students, residents, fellows, staff, faculty, and students at Journal Clubs and at Grand Rounds.