Workshops
During Fall and Spring Semesters, Counseling and Consultation Services (CCS) offers a variety of drop-in workshops. Use the links below to join at the time of the meeting, no prior appointment is needed. CCS workshops are for students at Ohio State and are provided at no cost.
All workshops are registered with the First Year Success Series and Second Year Transitional Experience Program. For FYSS or STEP credit, please register through those programs.
Additional Workshops Available by Request
Request any of our workshops for your group, class or organization and we will connect with you to discuss options for facilitation.
How to Survive College 101: Owning Your Experience
Monday, 2-3 p.m. via Zoom. Register here.
How to Survive College 101 is a workshop to help first- and second-year students who are new to the college experience. The purpose of this workshop is to address challenges students may face, how to take ownership of their college experience and increase self-advocacy skills. This workshop will provide skills and strategies for handling key areas such as relationships, academics, time management and long-term goals.
Art Space: Creativity for Wellbeing
Monday, 3-4 p.m. at Younkin Success Center Room 210
Art Space is a place to destress and explore creative ways to promote emotional wellbeing. During this weekly in-person workshop, you will have time dedicated to experimenting with making art to express yourself, connect with others and foster healthy coping. Creating art positively impacts mental health and provides a space to communicate thoughts and feelings in an engaging and approachable way. Everyone copes in their own way, and this workshop will help you find new ways that could work for you. This workshop aims to promote self-care, self-understanding and personal growth. No artistic experience necessary- come as you are!
Nobody's Perfect: Overcoming Perfectionism
Monday, 3:30-4:30 p.m. via Zoom. Register here.
This workshop will examine the differences between perfectionism, high/over-achieving and healthy functioning. Presenters will also address the origins of perfectionism, risks of thoughts and behaviors tied to Perfectionism, and encourage a focus on process versus outcome, providing strategies individuals can use to set healthy goals. Participants can ask questions of and elicit feedback from the facilitators. This workshop will benefit anyone who sees perfectionistic traits in themselves and wants to explore the importance of this concept in their life.
Focus Forward
Tuesday, 1-2 p.m. via Zoom. Register here.
Maintaining motivation, attention and focus can be incredibly difficult in the collegiate world. Managing burnout, social and professional connections, and academic and career goals can get overwhelming! In this workshop we aim to engage in discussion as to why focus, attention and motivation can be so difficult, and to provide some skills, strategies and tips. We'll cover goal setting, time management, self-care and additional resources should you feel that further support would be helpful. We aim to validate, normalize and support students in navigating competing priorities and goals by equipping you with the skills to succeed academically, mentally and socially.
Write Mind: Creative Writing for Mental Health
Tuesday, 4-5 p.m. via Zoom. Register here.
This workshop will explore the potential mental health benefits of creative writing and allow time for participants to engage in their own reading and writing. Participants will be provided with examples of brief written works related to emotional wellness (which could include song lyrics, poetry, flash fiction, etc.) and optional writing prompt ideas based on those works. Prompts will incorporate coping strategies such as mindfulness, the "miracle question", gratitude and processing of thoughts and emotions. Participants may share their work if they choose, reflect on the process, and ask questions from the facilitators. This workshop will benefit anyone who is interested in using writing as a wellness strategy, regardless of writing experience or favorite genres.
Relationship 101
Wednesday, 3-4 p.m. via Zoom. Register here.
This is a three session series addressing different phases in romantic relationships. In the first session we will focus on examining the readiness and anxiety around starting a new relationship. In the second session we will focus on communication and skills to manage differences/conflict in relationship. In the last session we will switch focus on what to do when things don’t work out or when relationship ends.
Roll for Insight
Wednesday, 3:30-4:45 p.m. via Zoom. Register here.
Roll for Insight invites participants to take a brief adventure into the world of therapeutic tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPG's). The workshop will begin with some background on therapeutic TTRPG's and an overview of how to play. Participants will create a character and embark on a short one-shot campaign, practicing embodying their character's chosen personality "archetype" as they solve puzzles, defeat nemeses, cooperate with their fellow players and perhaps help out a few non-player characters (NPCs) along the way. This workshop is ideal for anyone looking to build confidence in social settings and practice skills like cooperation, creative problem-solving and frustration tolerance. As this is a very simplified, non-technical TTRPG focused primarily on social elements, no prior TTRPG knowledge or experience is needed. Participants are welcome to attend more than once, as the workshop will cycle through several storylines.
Unwind Your Anxious Mind
Wednesday, 4-5 p.m. at Younkin Success Center Room 220
Unwind Your Anxious Mind is a three-part workshop where students can learn the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) along with basic ACT skills in order to respond to anxiety in more helpful ways. Attendance at all three workshops is not required.
Week 1: Learn about the evolutionary function of anxiety, the role of our response to anxiety in maintaining distress and the utility of mindfulness practice in responding to anxiety.
Week 2: Learn and practice specific skills to manage anxious thoughts and uncomfortable emotions.
Week 3: Identify your values and the motivations driving your actions.
Stress and Anxiety 101
Thursday, 3:30-4:30 p.m. via Zoom. Register here.
Feeling Anxious? Finding it difficult to focus? Noticing muscle tension or headaches? The presentation will help you understand the cause and common symptoms of anxiety and will assist you in developing a holistic plan to reduce the barriers anxiety presents to your academic, social and emotional success.
Rooted: Reconnect and Engage with Nature
Thursday, 3:30-5 p.m. weather permitting. Meet at Buckeye Grove.
This workshop will explore the mental health benefits of spending time in nature, including stress reduction, improved mood and increased focus. Participants will learn about the science behind nature-based wellness practices and then engage in a guided walk-through green spaces on campus. This workshop is designed for anyone looking to slow down, recharge and explore how nature can support emotional and mental well-being. No prior mindfulness or outdoor experience necessary.
Thriving in a Complex World: Coping with Current Events
Thursday, 4-5 p.m. via Zoom. Register here.
Through social media, news outlets and being a human in today's world, we are constantly being exposed to the current events that are happening around us and directly impacting us. This workshop aims to provide individuals with the recognition that the feelings and emotions you are having are real and valid. We will discuss the impact current events may have on your mental health, learn skills on mindful consumption of social media, what sustainable community involvement looks like and ways to take care of oneself, as the title reads, through a complex world we live in.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the impact of current events on mental health.
- Develop skills to care for mental health and persevere through stressful times.
- Identify resources to build community, get involved and promote well-being.
Mindful Movement: Yoga for Mental Health
Thursday, 4-5 p.m. at Younkin Success Center Room 210
Mindful Movement is a weekly drop-in workshop, designed specifically to enhance the mind-body connection so that students can learn skills to mitigate stress, increase concentration and improve mental and emotional well-being. Each week will have a different theme to address your well-being through meditation, breath practices, and yoga postures. We will end each workshop with a discussion of how the yoga practice impacts your mental health and wellness. This workshop will benefit anyone who is interested in connecting their body and mind regardless of experience with yoga or mental health concerns. Please clear participation with your doctor if you have any physical health concerns. Yoga mats and props will be provided. Please wear comfy clothes, bring a water bottle and a towel or small blanket.
Building Mastery
Friday, 2-3 p.m. via Zoom. Register here.
Building Mastery is a four-part workshop series (come to one, a few, or all sessions!) to help students increase abilities to regulate emotional responses, manage stress, improve relational functioning with development of effective communication and improve problem solving skills to better manage stressor in all environments. Attendance at all four workshops is not required.
- Week 1 focuses on Mindfulness: skills to allow you to be present in the moment and reduce anxiety and judgment.
- Week 2 focuses on Distress Tolerance: strategies to problem solve feelings of crisis without making the situation worse.
- Week 3 focuses on Interpersonal Effectiveness: tools to develop effective communication and boundary setting in various relationships.
- Week 4 focuses on Emotion Regulation: skills to reduce intensity and duration of painful emotions.
Food, Sleep and Exercise Strategies for Mental Health
See full schedule below. Register here.
A series of five independent online workshops to help students learn strategies using food, sleep and exercise for improvement of mental health. This will include an overview of strategies, a sample food list, discussion, as well as an opportunity to ask questions and address barriers to using food, sleep and exercise strategies to improve mental health. Attendance at all five workshops is not required.
September 2, noon to 1 p.m.: Food strategies for depression
September 9, noon to 1 p.m.: Food strategies for anxiety
September 15, noon to 1 p.m.: Food strategies for depression
September 22, noon to 1 p.m.: Food strategies for anxiety
September 29, noon to 1 p.m.: Food strategies for focus
October 7, noon to 1 p.m.: Food strategies for focus
October 13, noon to 1 p.m.: Sleep strategies for mental health
October 21, noon to 1 p.m.: Sleep strategies for mental health
October 28, noon to 1 p.m.: Exercise strategies for mental health
November 10, noon to 1 p.m.: Exercise strategies for mental health
If you require an accommodation such as live captioning or interpretation to participate in this event, please contact Harry Warner at warner.221@osu.edu or 614-292-5766. Requests made one week in advance of the workshop will generally allow us to provide seamless access, but the university will make every effort to meet requests made after this date.
*Please note, our workshops are being conducted by staff of Student Life's Counseling and Consultation Service. They are facilitated with the understanding that the facilitators and CCS are not engaged in rendering psychological services. If expert assistance is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought. These workshops are not a psychotherapy treatment group. In addition, these workshops may not address all personal concerns. If you experience significant changes in mood or feel that you may require further assistance, please contact CCS at 614-292-5766. In case of an emergency, please contact your nearest emergency service. If you experience significant distress at the time of one of these workshops, please notify the presenter.