CAPS Groups
About CAPS Groups
All of our mental health groups are led by mental health professionals with various areas of expertise. Counseling and Psychological Services groups are held in-person or virtually. Students must be currently enrolled at Cal Poly Pomona to attend our groups. Registration is recommended. Please see below for more information on our groups.
Group Counseling
In our groups, a small number of people meet together weekly under the guidance of professionally trained therapists to experience growth and change. Group participants can share common problems, safely interact with others, learn about themselves, and help others learn about themselves. Groups form throughout the semester and require a pre-group screening.
Counseling and Psychological Services cannot guarantee confidentiality in our groups. However, we request that all attendees maintain privacy of any information shared during the group. All material shared by the facilitator may not be copied, redistributed, nor published without permission. Audio and/or visual recording of groups is strictly prohibited.
Students must register by telephoning (909) 869-3220 prior to attending.
Drop-In Groups
Students who are looking to gain support from others, as well as to learn coping skills, may benefit from attending our drop-in sessions. Students may chose to attend as many drop-in sessions as they would like.
Counseling and Psychological Services cannot guarantee confidentiality in our groups. However, we request that all attendees maintain privacy of any information shared during the group. All materials shared by the facilitator may not be copied, redistributed, nor published without permission. Audio and/or visual recording of groups is strictly prohibited.
Students may pre-register on My Health Portal prior to attending, or they can register at the door.
Spring 2026 Term Groups
Date/Time: TBD (telephone CAPS for details)
Location: Hybrid: In person, CAPS, Building 66, Room 116; Zoom
A trauma support group for those impacted by sexual trauma or dating violence.
Passing of Family Member, Friend, Spouse/Partner, Community Member
Date/Time: Mondays, from 12:00 p.m. thru 1:00 p.m.
3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 4/6, 4/13
Location: CAPS, Building 66, Room 116
A process group for students who have experienced the death of a family member, friend, partner, spouse, or community member. This group seeks to provide a supportive environment for students to express and process their feelings, find comfort in one another's experiences, and gain strength through connection.
Date/Time: Fridays, from 10:00 a.m. thru 11:00 a.m.
2/27 thru 3/20
Location: CAPS, Building 66, Room 116
This is a four (4) week, 50-minute in-person psychoeducational and skills-based group designed for students experiencing social anxiety. The group uses a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) framework to help students understand the social anxiety cycle, identify unhelpful thoughts, and practice mindfulness and exposure-based coping strategies. While the group includes structured interactive activities to support skill-building and comfort with social situations, students are never forced to share and always have the option to pass. Students are asked to commit to all four (4) sessions.
Round 1:
Date/Time: Fridays, from 12:00 p.m. thru 1:00 p.m.
3/6, 3/13, 3/20
Location: CAPS, Building 66, Room 116
Round 2:
Date/Time: Wednesdays, from 11:00 a.m. thru 12:00 p.m.
4/15, 4/22, 4/29
Location: Zoom
This is three (3) week, 50-minute psychoeducation group utilizing a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach to understand anxiety symptoms and build healthy coping skills. While the group includes structured interactive activities to support skill-building and comfort with social situations, students are never forced to share and always have the option to pass. Students are asked to commit to all three (3) sessions.
Spring 2026 Term Drop In Groups
Date/Time: Tuesday, from 12:00 p.m. thru 1:00 p.m.
2/24 thru 3/24
Location: CAPS, Building 66, Room 116
This is a five (5) week, 50 min psycho-educational group. Social Confidence 101 will help students build and/or enhance their social confidence by addressing common barriers (including anxiety, fear things will go badly, limited practice in social skills, and negative self-perception). Providing students with tools, coping strategies, and opportunities to practice social skills in a supportive space. Students are encouraged to attend all sessions to gain the most benefit from this group.
Pre-registration required on My Health Portal under Groups/Workshops.
Date/Time: Thursday, from 3:00 p.m. thru 3:45 p.m.
2/5 thru 3/26
Location: BRIC, Building 42
This is a drop-in group held at the BRIC that will teach and lead creative ways to incorporate mindfulness into one's life.
Date/Time: Mondays, from 3:15 p.m. thru 3:45 p.m.
2/9, 2/23, 3/9, 3/23, 4/20, 5/4
Location: Hybrid: CECCHE, Building 95; Zoom via myBAR
A hybrid drop in group for mindfulness practice. The group is offered via Zoom with the option of students engaging in person at the Cesar E. Chavez Center for Higher Education (Building 95: Cultural Centers) as sessions will be projected live in the space.
Date/Time: Fridays, from 9:30 a.m. thru 11:00 a.m.
2/13, 4/17, 5/8
Location: University Library (Building 15), 3rd Floor, Bronco Family Space
A parent-and-me group held once a month. Provides a space where parenting students can come together to build community and learn from one another. The group aims to reduce stress and allows parenting students to engage with their children in a positive, meaningful way. Group activities include story time, well-being practices, activity and play time.
Registration is on the University Library Connect & Play webpage.
