Personal Counseling Services is sponsoring the first women’s support group at IU Southeast. It meets each Tuesday from Sept. 22 through Nov. 10.
The group, called Woman to Woman, meets from 6 to 7:15 p.m. in University Center, room 128.
The group is only for women.
“The group is to provide female students the opportunity to gather to learn and share information,” Michael Day, personal counselor, said. “The group’s main focus is to be supportive of the unique challenges that women face.”
The group’s flier said the atmosphere is one that is very casual and that they offer support, encouragement, information and a place to talk about life as a woman in college.
Some of the topics that might be discussed include gender roles, stereotypes and expectations of women, body image, relationship issues and coping skills. The topics are chosen by
the group.
Two psychology practicum students are leading the group. Amanda Wyrick attends the University of Louisville and Valerie Fallon attends Spalding University. Both have their master’s degrees in psychology and are in their last year of graduate school, working toward their doctorates.
Fallon said it’s important for students, especially women, to be able to express themselves.
“It’s important for women to have a social outlet and to let women know they aren’t alone,” Fallon said.
Wyrick and Fallon said they will prepare information on the specified topic for that week. The rest of the time will be spent for the group to talk about their experiences about that topic.
Day said there are two benefits to having a group.
“[A group] serves more people at a time and helps get people to talk,” he said.
The group is free, completely confidential and is open to new members until Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Women do not have to have a problem to attend.
Day said they are interested in doing more support groups.
By AMANDA FRENCH
Staff Writer
aafrench@ius.edu