Today@Dal

Groups and programs

MANAGING ANXIETY – Understanding Anxiety and Coping Strategies
Joan Hanley, PhD.

You may be interested in this weekly drop-in group for students of Dalhousie, Kings and NSCAD who want to better understand anxiety and learn more about strategies for coping with anxiety.  You can attend any of these weekly sessions.
Drop in:       Mondays       1:00 – 2:00 pm, beginning January 12th, 2015
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to the start time to register
 
GAINING CONFIDENCE
Joan Hanley, PhD.

You may be interested in this weekly drop-in group for students of Dalhousie, Kings and NSCAD who want to build confidence in themselves and their interactions with others.  You can attend any of these weekly sessions.

Drop in:       Tuesdays      11:00 am – 12 noon, beginning January 13th, 2015
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to the start time to register
 
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      2:30 – 3:15 pm, beginning January 13th, 2015
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to the start time to register
 
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, beginning January 20th, 2015
 
 
COPING WHILE YOU WAIT
Weekly Drop in Group

Facilitator: Kathrine Lincoln, MSc. R Psych.
 
This group is for students of Dalhousie, King’s and NSCAD on the wait list who are interested in enhancing coping skills and learning strategies for managing the challenges of life while at university.
Topics will include: awareness of present coping styles and coping mechanisms such as emotional regulation, mindfulness and skills for coping with relationships.
Drop in:    Wednesdays, 2:30 – 3:30 pm   beginning on January 21th, 2015
Please register 10 minutes prior to the group
 
 
THE THERAPY GROUP
David Mensink, PhD.

Counselling Services is offering a new drop-in group called The Therapy Group.  The group is for students of Dalhousie, King’s and NSCAD who would like to improve their feelings about themselves and also improve their feelings about others.
Drop in:    Fridays, 12:15 – 1:15 pm, beginning January 23rd, 2015

 
MANAGING STRESS
Weekly Drop in Group
Kathrine Lincoln, M.Sc. R Psych.
 
This group is for students of Dalhousie, Kings and NSCAD who are interested in enhancing and developing their stress management coping skills. Topics will include: an understanding and appraisal of stress, self-assessment, stressors, prevention strategies (including mindfulness based stress reduction), and accessing internal /external resources.

Drop in: Thursdays, 10:30 am – 12 Noon, beginning on January 29th, 2015
Register 10 minutes prior to the group start
 
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.
 
Monday January 12, 1-3pm                                      Tuesday February 3, 7-9pm
Saturday February 7, 1-3pm                                    Friday February 20, 10am-12pm
 
For further information on any of the groups and workshops offered you may contact or visit the Counselling Centre, 2nd floor, LeMarchant Place,  Dalhousie University, telephone our office 902-494-2081, or email: groupcps@dal.ca
 
Visit our website http://counsellingservices.dal.ca

SHIFT Self-Help Program

​SHIFT self-help program Dalhousie Counselling Services offers an on-line self-help program for students experiencing mild to moderate anxiety, depression, and/or stress.   It’s called SHIFT, Self-Help for Improving Feelings and Thoughts.   

This is a free program which consists of a series of on-line interactive modules, developed to help students learn methods of coping and reducing distress.  This program was developed at Dalhousie and evaluated in a recently completed controlled clinical trial, which found that students who used the program experienced significantly more improvements than students  temporarily in a control group.   

The program is for students who are experiencing mild to moderate emotional distress; but who are not experiencing suicidal thoughts nor experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder, an eating disorder, an addiction, or psychosis.   Participants will need to be admitted into the program by a “program coach,” who will monitor their progress and answer questions about the program via weekly e-mail and/or brief telephone conversations.

For more information, please go to        http://join.shiftprogram.ca

Workshops

Multiple Mini Interviews: An Introduction for Pharmacy Applicants

            Thursday, 5 February, 2015
             
            5-630pm
            Room 426  
            4th Floor,  Student Union Building

This interactive workshop is designed to increase your understanding of how to prepare professionally and effectively for those Pharmacy School Admission Interviews which utilize the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) protocol.

In one 90 minute session you will:


•    examine the purpose, structure and protocol of the MMI process.
 
•    review types of stations, stems and evaluation criteria.

•    practice assessing non-cognitive traits.

•    examine questions and your answers while receiving peer feedback and support.

•    develop preparation strategies through role-plays and discussions.

•    increase your confidence as you reduce your stress and anxiety.

All role-playing and practise opportunities are offered in a confidential and supportive environment.

Space is Limited.  To Register:  groupcps@dal.ca

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 and students at Journal Clubs and at Grand Rounds.

Communication Skills for Pre-Pharmacy Students


Thursdays:    February 12, 26, March 5 and 12, 2015                
5-630pm
                    Room 426
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 practicing 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 for this four session program:  groupcps@dal.ca

Note: When you register for this program you register for all four evenings and also note that there is no meeting on February 19th

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.