Employee groups available through the Psychological Services Center
From: Hokie Wellness
The Psychological Services Center (PSC) has partnered with Hokie Wellness to host group sessions led and facilitated by its graduate psychology students in the Clinical Science Ph.D. program. Employees may attend as many sessions as desired at no cost. There is no need to register in advance, and you are welcome to join as you are able.
There will be three separate groups offered, either on a weekly or biweekly basis:
Grief and Loss: Meets biweekly on Wednesdays from 5:30-7 p.m. at PSC.
Dates: June 11, June 25, July 9, July 23, Aug. 6, Aug. 20
Summary: Grief is a unique and individual journey that can be challenging to navigate. This group is open to all who have experienced grief and loss in their lives. Grief captures a wide range of experiences, and all are welcome to attend. We will focus on sharing stories, answering questions, and processing experiences in a supportive manner. Throughout the group, psychoeducation will be provided when appropriate and helpful; however, most biweekly meetings will be participant-driven, with the clinician in a supportive role to keep conversations balanced and moving.
Facilitator: TJ Shaw is a fourth year student in the clinical science program at Virginia Tech. Clinically, he has three years of experience in a range of settings performing assessments and therapy with both adults and children. Currently, he works at the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center performing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessments with veterans in the domiciliary substance use program and engages veterans in trauma-focused treatment at the Center for Traumatic Stress (CTS).
LGBTQ+ Parenting: Meets weekly on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:45 p.m. via Zoom.
Dates: June 4, June 11, June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30, Aug. 6, Aug. 13, Aug. 20, Aug. 27. *Note: June 18 is skipped due to the Juneteenth holiday.
Zoom link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/83570441020
Summary: This group will provide participants with skills and support for navigating the intersection of parenting and gender/sexuality diversity. We will cover skills for managing interpersonal relationships and regulating emotions, as well as provide space for discussing members' current parenting challenges. This group may include parents who identify as LGBTQ+ or allies who are parents or guardians of LGBTQ+ youth.
Facilitators: Hailey Van Vorce is a third year Ph.D. student in clinical psychology. She has experience working with adults, teens, and young children with emotion dysregulation challenges. Kelsey Winkeler is a fifth year Ph.D. student in clinical psychology. She has experience helping parents of children ranging from very young to teenagers with behavioral difficulties using parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), parent management training (PMT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Both Hailey and Kelsey have experience working with sexuality and gender minority-identifying teens and adults.
Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence: Meets biweekly on Tuesdays from 5:30-7 p.m. at PSC.
Dates: June 3, June 17, July 1, July 15, July 29, Aug. 12
Summary: This support group is open to individuals interested in discussions about neurodiversity, whether for yourself or for others you work or live with. Neurodivergence is a broad term that can include mental health diagnoses such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and other severe mental illnesses including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, psychotic-spectrum disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Weekly topics will be decided by group needs and could include things such as advocating for oneself in the workplace, seeking support services, learning how to work with neurodivergent individuals, and being there for yourself or others. The group will include psychoeducation about neurodiversity/neurodivergence, specific skills to apply, and the opportunity to connect with others experiencing similar or shared concerns.
Facilitator: Gabby Patarinski is a fourth year Ph.D. student in clinical psychology at Virginia Tech. She has completed two years of clinical practice at PSC and the Cook Counseling Center and will be starting a position with the Carilion Mental Health Adult Outpatient Psychiatry unit in the fall. Gabby has experience working with teens and adults living with a range of mental health barriers. She does both individual and group therapy, as well as assessments.
More sessions in the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters may be available, depending on demand. Any faculty, staff, and non-student wage employees who are looking for resources around the listed topics are encouraged to attend.
About Psychological Services Center
The Psychological Services Center (PSC) is a community-based behavioral and mental health clinic for the Clinical Science Ph.D. program within the Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech. As the training clinic for a nationally accredited program, the PSC uses the best available treatments to improve the functioning, health, and well-being of clients and serves as a research center for assessment, intervention, and prevention. Graduate-level student clinicians train and work under the supervision of licensed clinical psychologists at Virginia Tech.
About Hokie Wellness
Hokie Wellness serves Virginia Tech to foster a healthier community by providing prevention services, education, outreach, and resources to employees and students. Check out the Summer 2025 event schedule.