Workshops
Current Drop-in Workshop Offerings
Our generally scheduled workshop program will pause after December 8th, 2023 and Resume January 9th, 2024.
We offer a number of free, drop-in-when-you-are-able workshops. No registration is necessary, no prior appointment is needed. Counseling and Consultation Service workshops are only open to students at The Ohio State University.
Please fill out this form to request any of the workshops listed below for your group, class, or organization and we will connect with you to discuss options for facilitation.
Art Space: Creativity for the Body, Mind, and Soul
Mondays, 3:00 - 4:00 P.M., Younkin Success Center, Classroom 150
*Art Space ends Monday, November 20th
Art Space is a place to destress and explore ways to use creativity to encourage emotional regulation…..while having fun! During this weekly, in-person drop-in workshop, you will have time dedicated to exploring creativity through artistic expression. According to the American Art Therapy Association, art expression positively impacts mental health and creates a healing process which provides a space to nonverbally communicate thoughts and feelings. This workshop aims to promote self-care, self-understanding, and personal growth. No artistic experience necessary- come as you are!
Building Mastery: Skills for Emotions, Relationships, and Life
Mondays, 3:00 - 4:00 P.M., Zoom
Attend the Building Mastery Virtual Workshop
*Building Mastery ends Monday, November 27th
Building Mastery: Skills for Emotions, Relationships, and Life 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.
- 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.
Focus Forward
Tuesdays, 1:00 - 2:00 P.M., Zoom
Attend the Focus Forward Virtual Workshop
- Time Management – 11/14
- Goal-Setting – 11/21
- Self-Care – 11/28
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
Tuesdays, 3:00 - 4:00 P.M., Denny Hall 352R
*Write Mind ends Tuesday, December 5th
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
Wednesdays, 3:00 - 4:00 P.M., Zoom
Attend the Relationship 101 Virtual Workshop
*Relationship 101 ends Wednesday, November 29th
This is a 3-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 didn't work out or when relationship ends.
Mental Health Navigation
Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:00 P.M., Younkin Success Center, Classroom 150
**Mental Health Navigation ends Wednesday, December 6th
This workshop is designed for emerging student leaders who are interested in helping their peers navigate the many mental health and well-being resources available at Ohio State. First, students will discuss ways to think about the origins of mental health concerns. Then, an overview of resources will be provided. Lastly, participants will learn how to create a positive mental health plan that can be taught to others.
ACT for Anxiety
Wednesdays, 5:00 - 6:00 P.M., Younkin Success Center, Classroom 150
*ACT for Anxiety ends Wednesday, November 29th
The ACT for Anxiety workshop is a 4-part workshop for students to learn the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) along with basic ACT skills so they can respond to anxiety in more helpful ways and thrive emotionally. Students may join any week but are encouraged to start at week 1.
Week 1: Students will 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: Students will learn and practice specific skills to manage anxious thoughts.
Week 3: Students will identify their values and the motivations driving their actions.
Week 4: Students will learn the value of accepting emotions as they are and will reflect on how they can channel their energy into doing what matters.
Passion Over Perfect: Developing Resiliency to Overcome Disappointments, Failure and Adversity
Thursdays, 4:00 - 5:00 P.M., Zoom
*Passion Over Perfect ends Thursday, December 7th
Attend the Passion Over Perfect Virtual Workshop
College life presents many opportunities to encounter new experiences and challenges. With these come the chance of experiencing both success and failure. Some students come to college having lived experience with adversity and continue to face adverse circumstances which present barriers to their success.
When experiencing disappointments, failure and adversity, it is critically important to re-gain a sense of personal agency and hope. Learn how to develop resiliency through self-care and establishing positive thoughts and inspired actions to recognize and ignite the power of hope in your life.
Objectives:
- Students will identify evidenced based physical self-care practices (nutrition, sleep and activity tips) and assess which work best for their personal needs/situation.
- Students will identify evidence based mental health practices (challenging unhelpful thoughts, establishing healthy relational boundaries and mind-body connection activities) which work best for their personal needs/situation.
- Students will Identify the components of the science of hope and assess how positive feelings plus inspired actions can build and fuel resiliency in their lives.
Mindful Movement: Yoga for Mental Health
Thursdays, 5:00 - 6:00 P.M., Younkin Success Center, Classroom 150
*Mindful Movement: Yoga for Mental Health ends Thursday, November 30th
Yoga for Mental Health 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.
Letting Go of Perfectionism
Fridays, 12:00 - 1:00 P.M., Zoom
Attend the Letting Go of Perfectionism Virtual Workshop
*Letting Go of Perfectionism ends Friday, December 8th
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 are able to 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.
Food, Sleep, and Exercise Strategies for Mental Health
Attend the Food, Sleep, and Exercise Strategies for Mental Health Virtual Workshop
A four part workshop series 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.
Facilitated by: Dr. Ryan Patel DO, FAPA
Food Strategies to Improve Depression
- 8/23/23, 1:30 pm
- 8/30/23, 1:00 pm
- 9/6/23, 1:30pm
- 9/13/23, 1:00 pm
Food Strategies to Improve Anxiety
- 9/22/23, 11:00 am
- 12/1/23, 11:00 am
Food Strategies to Improve Focus
- 9/29/23, 11:00 am
- 10/27/23, 11:00 am
Sleep strategies for mental health
- 10/4/23, 1:00 pm
- 11/3/23 , 11:00 am
Exercise strategies for mental health
- 10/13/23 11am
- 11/17/23 11am
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.