Workshops
Drop-in 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.
Art Space: Creativity for Wellbeing
*No Art Space workshop on Monday January 26th, 2026 due to inclement weather
When: Mondays from 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Where: In-person, 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 Prefect: Overcoming Perfectionism
When: Mondays from 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Where: Virtual
Join or Register here for Nobody's Prefect workshop
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.
How to Survive College 101: Owning Your Experience
*No 'How to Survive College 101' workshops for Spring 2026.
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.
Focus Forward
When: Tuesdays from 1pm - 2pm
Where: Virtual
Join or Register here for Focus Forward Workshop
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.
Unwind Your Anxious Mind
When: Tuesdays from 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Where: In-person, Younkin Success Center Room 210
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.
Write Mind: Creative Writing for Mental Health
When: Tuesdays from 4pm - 5pm
Where: Virtual
Join or Register here for Write Mind workshop
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
When: Wednesdays from 3pm - 4pm
Where: Virtual
Join or Register here for Relationship 101 workshop
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
When: Wednesdays from 3:30pm - 4:45pm
Where: Virtual
Join or Register here for Roll for Insight workshop
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.
Morning Connection
When: Select Thursdays from 9:30am - 10:20am
(2/5/26; 2/19/26; 3/5/26; 3/26/26)
Where: In-person, at Buckeye Commons in the Ohio Union
Take a morning pause and join us at Buckeye Commons for connection, coffee/tea, and community. Morning Connection is a welcoming space designed for Ohio State students to begin their day feeling grounded, encouraged, and supported. This drop‑in time is all about coming together, meeting fellow Buckeyes, sharing experiences, and building meaningful relationships across campus and the Columbus community.
Stress and Anxiety 101
When: Thursdays from 3pm - 4pm
Where: Virtual
Join or Register here for Stress and Anxiety 101 workshop
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
When: Thursdays from 3:45pm - 5pm
Where: In-person, at Buckeye Grove (Columbus Campus)
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
When: Thursdays from 4pm - 5pm
Where: Virtual
Join or Register here for Thriving in a Complex World workshop
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.
Building Mastery
When: Fridays from 2pm - 3pm
Where: Virtual
Join or Register here for Building Mastery workshop
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
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.
When:
2/10/26 2pm to 3pm Food strategies for depression
2/17/26 2pm to 3 pm Food strategies for anxiety
2/24/26 2pm 3 pm Food strategies for focus
3/3/26 2pm noon to 3pm Sleep strategies for mental health
3/10/26 2pmto 3pm Exercise strategies for mental health
3/24/26 2pm to 3pm Food strategies for depression
4/7/26 2pm to 3 pm Food strategies for anxiety
4/14/26 2pm to 3 pm Sleep strategies for mental health
4/21/26 2pm to 3pm Exercise strategies for mental health
Where: Virtual
Join or Register here for Food, Sleep and 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.