SCHW Groups

Benefits of group counselling

  • Practicing and improving your interpersonal skills
  • Taking emotional risks with others that can prepare you to take similar risks outside of the group
  • Developing a feeling of cohesion, trust, and mutual support with fellow group members
  • Making friends with other students on campus

2SLGBTQIA+ Support Group

SCHW offers a biweekly ‘virtual’ drop-in support group to York's 2SLGBTQIA+ student community. SCHW counsellors who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community facilitate this group and create a safe and positive space where stories can be shared and support given. Past topics covered include coming out, gender and sexuality, finding safe spaces on campus, managing stress, connecting with broader community supports, and self-care.

For the Zoom link or more information, please email schw@yorku.ca.

Days & Times

This group will resume in mid-September 2023. Have a great PRIDE and great summer. See you in September!

Gay Men's Support Group

This group provides a safe space to discuss all issues related to the gay men or queer men’s community. Individuals interested in joining the group will need to first set-up a group screening to assess their needs and to discuss group norms and rules.

To connect for a group screening and/or for more information, please email schw@yorku.ca.

Days & Times

Beginning on January 18, 2023, the Gay Men’s Support Group meets every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Process Group

SCHW Process Groups are held weekly and are open only to invited students. The group is led by a SCHW counsellor. Topics discussed change on a weekly basis and are student-driven according to need. Students have an opportunity to obtain psychoeducation and provide their peers with mutual support, information, and skills.

To see if a process group is right for you, please first meet with a counsellor for a walk-in session. Walk-in sessions are offered on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Days & Times

There are two SCHW Process Groups. One group meets on Mondays from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the other group meets on Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Queer Women's Support Group

SCHW offers a biweekly ‘virtual’ drop-in support group for women who love women and identify as Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans, Non-Binary or Questioning (2SLBTQ). Facilitated by Queer Women counsellors, this group invites students with lived experience in these communities to meet and discuss issues in a supportive and safe space.

For the Zoom link or for more information, please email schw@yorku.ca.

Days & Times

Days & Times – This group will resume in mid-September 2023. Have a great PRIDE and great summer. See you in September!

Racialized Students Support Group

The Racialized Students Support Group is a group facilitated by racialized counsellors at SCHW. The monthly drop-in group provides a safe space for students who identify as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Colour (BIPOC) to reflect on their identities, experiences, and challenges and to build community. A focus of the group will be placed on processing and healing from racial trauma.

Days & Times

This group will resume in September 2023. Registration details to follow in September.

The Trans & Non-Binary Support Groups & Workshops

SCHW will be taking the summer to work on new workshops and groups to support our trans and non-binary community.
See you in September 2023 and if you have ideas on what you might like to see in September please email us at schw@yorku.ca

Co-facilitated Groups with The Centre

Support Groups for Survivors of Sexual Violence

You are not alone! SCHW co-facilitates support groups and meditation sessions for survivors of sexual violence with The Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education.

Days & Times

Beginning on September 26, these events will be offered weekly during the Fall 2022 term.

  • Men's Support Group: Mondays from 10 to 11 a.m.
  • Women's Support Group: Tuesdays from 2 to 3 p.m.
  • Meditation Sessions: Mondays from 1 to 2 p.m. and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Register by contacting the Centre at 416-736-5211 or thecentre@yorku.ca.

Co-facilitated Groups with the Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-time Students (ACMAPS)

Meditations focused on Academics and Life Challenges

Led by Scott Pope, a trained psychotherapist from SCHW, these meditation sessions (for mature, part-time and transfer students) help to de-stress and increase positivity as it relates to your academic challenges and overall life challenges. A few types of meditation styles Scott focuses on are progressive relaxation, visualization, loving-kindness, focused and body scan. These are drop in sessions and do not require registration.

Days & Times

Beginning on September 29, these sessions will take place once per week on alternating Tuesdays (from 10 to 11 a.m.) and Thursdays (from 1 to 2 p.m.). To join one of these meetings, visit the ACMAPS website and browse through the events calendar. From there, you will be able to select one of the schedule dates and open the Zoom link.

In addition to these live sessions, our Guided Meditations page also features a few pre-recorded audio tracks for you to practice relaxation and breathing techniques asynchronously.