Better Together: Join Our Free Student Support Groups

We are passionate about providing a safe and non-judgmental space for HCU students to learn skills in dealing with common life struggles. Support groups are an equally efficient way to overcome common life challenges in a community of like-minded peers who get you.

Led by our therapists, support groups are a great place to come and talk about common struggles with other students who understand. We talk about a variety of things, like ways to improve relationships, practice coping skills, discuss solutions to problems, and more! Our groups are Christ-centered but you don’t have to be a Christian to join. We respect all faith worldviews. Our support groups:

  • Support Groups meet weekly while classes are in session.
  • Students can attend as many support group meetings as desired.
  • All sessions run for 1.5 hours.
  • Location: Gideon Counseling Center, 2nd Floor, Bradshaw Fitness Center.

How to Join a Support Group

Support groups are based on interest and enough attendance. There must be 3 students signed up for a group to start.

  1. Express interest: please give us a call at 281-649-3431 to express interest or sign up.
  2. Do a brief phone interview: we’ll make sure you’re aware of the different groups and that you’ll be a good fit.
  3. Get the start date: when we have a large enough group, we will provide the official start date.

Current Support Groups

Sometimes life can be stressful and overwhelming at school or work. This group is ideal for those that would like to learn practical tools in a supportive community environment.

Learning how to do life in a new location can be difficult for college students of all ages, whether you are out on your own for the first time or miles away from home. Come learn practical skills and strategies for navigating through life in a new season.

Loss is painful, and it does not help that society often tells us to move on quickly. You don’t have to go through the pain of grief alone. We are here to discuss ways to grieve your loss in a healthy way.

Don’t see a group that you would like to attend? Please call and let the counseling center staff know!

Why You Should Join Support Groups

Support groups are free: they are offered at zero cost to all students. In addition, there are several other benefits that make group counseling beneficial:

  • Hope: Seeing other people in the group get better gives you real proof that you can get better, too.
  • You’re Not Alone: Realizing that other people struggle with the exact same weird thoughts or painful feelings makes you feel way less isolated.
  • More Learning Opportunities: You learn useful tips, coping strategies, and mental health facts from both the therapist and the people in the room.
  • Helping Others Feels Good: Supporting someone else who is struggling boosts your self-esteem and reminds you that you have something valuable to offer.
  • Fixing Family Patterns: Groups often feel a bit like a family. It gives you a safe space to work through old family dynamics and figure out better ways to handle them.
  • Practicing Social Skills: It’s a safe, risk-free space to practice listening, setting boundaries, and talking to people without fear of being rejected.
  • Copying What Works: You can watch how others handle stressful situations or express feelings well and try out those same healthy strategies yourself.
  • Real-Time Feedback: You learn how you come across to other people because the group can give you honest, kind feedback on your behavior.
  • Belonging: Feeling accepted and valued by a group of peers creates a strong sense of safety and support.
  • Letting It All Out: Venting deep feelings, fears, or bottled-up stress in a safe room brings huge emotional relief.
  • Facing Big Life Questions: You learn to accept hard realities—like making your own choices, dealing with tough stuff, and figuring out what matters to you.

(Adapted from Dr. Irvin Yalom, The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy)