The UNLV Center for Individual, Couple and Family Counseling (CICFC) will offer group therapy sessions for people who need assistance in discussing issues related to the 2016 U.S. election. The group sessions are free for all students and UNLV employees. Group sessions are also open to anyone in Southern Nevada.

The group sessions will be led by Katherine Hertlein, director of the marriage and family therapy program at the UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs, and Jean Griffin, interim director of the CICFC. Hertlein and Griffin will accompany graduate students in the marriage and family therapy program to co-facilitate the group sessions.

Hertlein said the idea for group sessions related to the U.S. election grew out of discussions with marriage and family therapy graduate students who said they increasingly saw clients wanting to discuss election issues. Hertlein said patients are experiencing feelings of post traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and psychosomatic symptoms.

“As mental health therapists, it is our responsibility to respond and help,” said Hertlein. “Group sessions allow individuals to process reactions and feelings in a safe zone. Research has shown individuals can better cope with stressful situations through counseling. Group sessions are one model of therapy intended to give people an opportunity speak and to be heard.”

Group sessions begin Nov. 18 and will be held each Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 16 except Nov. 25.  Group sessions are limited to 10-12 people and are free for all UNLV students, employees and anyone in Southern Nevada.

To sign up for a group session or to inquire about individual therapy sessions, visit the center’s website or call (702) 895-3106.

Both group and individual sessions are confidential. Group sessions will have guidelines.

About the Center for Individual, Couple and Family Counseling

The Center for Individual, Couple and Family Counseling (CICFC) is the primary clinical training facility for the UNLV Marriage and Family Therapy Program - the only accredited program in the State of Nevada. It has become an important mental health provider in Clark County. The marriage and family therapy program offers a graduate degree and an undergraduate minor and is housed in the UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs.

On average, 30 marriage and family therapy program students see more than 1,000 people in a year. The CICFC provides more than 5,000 hours of on-site counseling a year. In 2015, the clinic staff served 1,172 cases (individuals, couples, children, and families) resulting in a total of 5,657 hours of counseling provided.  Most importantly, the center offers its services for a fraction of the fees commonly charged elsewhere in the community, serving the least fortunate who otherwise would not have resources to access counseling services. It is estimated the clinic helped the community with nearly $750,000 of service. Treatment is offered for a variety of concerns, including child behavioral issues, grief and loss, anger management, depression, anxiety, pre-marital and marriage counseling.