Today@Dal

SPEAK EASY PROGRAM
 
The SPEAK EASY Program is for you if:
 
Anxiety makes it difficult for you to give class presentations or participate in group discussions.
 
You would like to talk to groups calmly and confidently.
 
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.  Another goal of the Speak Easy Program is to provide opportunity to practice these
skills and strategies.
 
The program consists of five small group sessions, one and a half hours each.  The following topics are addressed in the sessions:  understanding anxiety, identifying worry thoughts,
 constructing replies to bothersome thoughts, progressive muscle relaxation, and brief applied relaxation.  Practical suggestions or tips on public speaking are integrated with the practice sessions.
 
The SPEAK EASY Program is not recommended for students who already feel comfortable speaking to groups, but who would like to polish their skills.
 
This group will meet weekly in the Counselling Centre for 4 sessions on Fridays, from  12:15 pm – 1:15 pm, beginning March 14th, 2014 (with 3 further sessions).
 
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.
 

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Asperger's/Autism Spectrum Support and Intervention Group  
 

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).    

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.   

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

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

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

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  


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SLEEP and RELAXATION WORKSHOPS

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

Friday, March 14th, 2014                                  1:30 - 3:30 pm
Thursday, April 3rd, 2014                                 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.,  
Dalhousie University or e-mail: groupcps@dal.ca
 
 
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Coping with Exam Anxiety

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

Open to DAL, Kings, and NSCAD students.

One day workshop:      Tuesday, April 1st, 2014         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


                         EATING DISORDERS  DROP-IN GROUP

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

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


 For further information you may contact or visit the Counselling  
Centre, 4th floor, S.U.B., Dalhousie 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

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

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

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

To be held within Dalhousie Counselling Services,  4th floor  Student  
Union Building.
For more information, e-mail:     jvrushto@dal.ca
 
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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.  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)
 
 Drop In:  

          Tuesdays                          9:00 – 9:45 am
          Wednesdays                    3:00 – 3:45 pm
 
For more information contact:  

Dalhousie Counselling Centre, 4th Floor, SUB or e-mail: groupcps@dal.ca
or phone: 494 2081
 
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GRADUATE STUDENT SUPPORT WORKSHOPS  

 

These workshops are designed for students in graduate programs, who are struggling to manage stress,  or to find motivation to complete their degree.
 

There are three workshops scheduled.  Students can attend one or more, depending on their interests and needs.
 
 

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

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


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

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


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

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

 

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

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

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Communication Skills for Pre-Pharmacy Students
 
Thursdays:       March 13, 20, 27, and April 3, 2013      5-630pm
Counselling Services,
4th Floor, Student Union Building
 
 
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.

 This 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.
 
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.
 
Space is Limited.  To Register:   groupcps@dal.ca        subject line Pre-Pharmacy
 
Jeanette Hung MEd (Counselling) CCC, RCT, is the Career Counselling Services Coordinator, Counselling Services.  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.