Spring 2026

Therapeutic Workshops

Mindfulness For Stress Management  

Mondays 3:30-4:45 |2.9-3.2 | Zoom or Onsite (in KC)

Who: Students and Residents
Learn how mindfulness can help you reduce stress, sleep better, be less self-judging, let go of rumination, worry less about the future, and enjoy your life right now. This 4-week mindfulness class was created specifically for students and teaches nine practical mindfulness and stress-management skills that you’ll learn and practice together.  Many people try mindfulness and assume it’s “boring,” “doesn’t work for me,” or that they “can’t stop their thoughts.” Meditation isn’t about stopping thoughts at all. Instead, it’s about developing curiosity and awareness around them. With regular practice, thoughts often slow down, become less “sticky,” and feel less controlling. Because mindfulness works best with consistency, learning and practicing in a supportive workshop with other students can make a big difference. Registration is required by visiting https://medconsult.kumc.edu.  Questions? Contact: Dr. Allison Roodman at aroodman@kumc.edu.

Preventing Burnout and Creating Capacity

Choose one date: 2.20 12:00-1:00 OR 4.3 12:00-1:00 | via Zoom

Who: Students and Residents

This single session workshop will help students and residents identify evidence-based strategies that can be implemented daily to build and strengthen your ability to manage stress in a healthcare setting. Prevent burnout, decrease anxiety and build habits now for a sustainable healthcare career in the future.  Attend either session.

Registration is required by visiting https://medconsult.kumc.edu.  Questions? Contact: Sarah Wells at swells4@kumc.edu.

ADHD/EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS WORKSHOP 

Wednesdays 12:00-1:00 | 1.28-3.2 | via Zoom

Who: Students 

Identify the ways your brain works and how to thrive with a neurodivergent brain. Skills covered are intended to help you identify where you are now, where you want to be, and develop a plan (and toolbox) for how to get there. Rather than trying to do it the way you think others do, identify strategies that work with your needs/strengths and plan for barriers. Talk with other students who get it, brainstorm together, and share various tools and strategies you find helpful! First session is highly recommended for all attendees, the rest are “come when you can”. 

Registration is required by visiting https://medconsult.kumc.edu.  Questions? Contact: Dr. Candice Moran at cmoran@kumc.edu.

Break Up with Dieting Workshop

Monday 3.2 5:00-6:00 | via Zoom

Who: Students and Residents

Students and residents, if you find yourself on a perpetual diet or “do-over” where the desire to eat less or lose weight seems to be a constant and consuming battle, this workshop is for you. Gain insight and understanding as well as tools to change your relationship with food and your body.

Registration is required by visiting https://medconsult.kumc.edu.  Questions? Contact: Sherri Theoharidis at stheoharidis@kumc.edu

Nurturing the Heart Within: A Valentine's Self-Care Workshop

Tuesday 2.10 5:00-6:00| via Zoom

Who: Students and Residents

Student and residents, join me as we shift away from the commercialized version of Valentine’s Day and instead focus on prioritizing self-care. While taking some time to be present we will incorporate bringing more self-love and self-compassion into your life. You are encouraged to get comfortable, light a candle or grab a warm blanket and cup of tea (or wine!) and zoom in. Who better to invest into during this time than YOURSELF.

Registration is required by visiting https://medconsult.kumc.edu.  Questions? Contact: Sherri Theoharidis at stheoharidis@kumc.edu

Navigating Parenting Together

Wednesdays 12:00-1:00 | 2.4, 3.4, 4.1, 5.6 | via Zoom

Who: Students and Residents

Each session will focus on a specific skill or strategy which can be implemented in daily living to manage the stresses of busy parent-professional schedules.  Students, residents and their parenting partners are welcome to attend all four sessions, or as many as your schedule allows. 

Registration is required by visiting https://medconsult.kumc.edu.  Questions? Contact: Sarah Wells at swells4@kumc.edu.

Driven but Drained; High Achievers Managing High Anxiety

Mondays 5:00-6:00 | 2.2-3.9 | onsite in KC

Who: Students and Residents

Are you struggling with feeling overwhelmed?  Exhausted? Always feel that you’re not doing enough?  Find yourself caught in “should” expectations around school, work, and relationships? Struggling with people pleasing?  This group is for you. We will meet for 6 weeks and explore strategies to manage anxieties often created around our own expectations which can lead to burnout. Learn strategies to manage anxiety without losing your edge as a high achiever in a supportive environment.  

Registration is required by visiting https://medconsult.kumc.edu.  Questions? Contact: Sarah Wells at swells4@kumc.edu.

Group Therapy

Women of Color Therapeutic Group 
Mondays 5:00 – 6:30 pm | 2.2-5.11 | Via Zoom

Who: Students

This group provides students the opportunity to connect with and empower one another as we explore various concerns, including identity, family, interpersonal relationships, race-related stress and trauma, academic distress, and more themes impacting women of color.

Contact Dr. Lynette Sparkman-Barnes at lsparkmanbarnes@kumc.edu to schedule required pre-group required meeting. 

Systemic Resilience- an LGBTQIA2S+ Therapeutic Support Group 

Tuesdays (2nd and 4th of the month) 4:00 – 5:00 pm | 2.10-5.12 | Via Zoom

Who: Students

A confidential, therapist-led therapeutic group for health science students navigating unique lived experiences, “micro”aggressions, and minority stress. This group focuses on the intersection of personal identity and professional development, providing a supportive environment to drop the “professional mask” and discuss resilience, burnout, the 'hidden curriculum' of largely heteronormative healthcare training, and navigating professional identity with personal authenticity as an LGBTQIA2s+ individual.

Please contact Dr. Candice Moran at cmoran@kumc.edu with any questions or to schedule a pre-group required meeting. 

Living with Chronic Illness and Disability Therapeutic Support Group

Thursdays 4:00 – 5:00 pm | 2.5-5.14 (skip 2.19 & 3.19) | Via Zoom

Who: Students

In this group, students will find a supportive community where you can share experiences, celebrate your accomplishments, and learn new strategies for coping with fluctuating capacity. It's a place to foster self-acceptance, self-compassion, empowerment, and enhance your quality of life, all while connecting with peers who understand your journey. Our discussions cover a range of themes, from self-care and empowerment to the impact of chronic conditions on academics, relationships, and interactions with medical providers. This is your space to explore concerns and discuss issues that matter to you, in a group that gets it.

Please contact Dr. Candice Moran at cmoran@kumc.edu with any questions or for required pre-group meeting.

Unmasking Together- Therapeutic Support Group

Tuesdays (1st and 3rd of month) 4:00 – 5:00 pm | TBD (2.3 or 2.17) - 5.5 | Via Zoom

Who: Students

This group provides an affirmative therapy space for neurodivergent students, facilitated by an AuDHD therapist who "gets it." We know that the medical and healthcare systems weren’t built for brains like ours. This group is a sanctuary from the high-sensory, high-masking world of clinical training. We don't focus on "fixing" your neurotype; we focus on navigating the system, honoring your sensory needs, and building a sustainable professional identity that actually fits who you are while connecting with other folx navigating these systems and “micro”aggressions.

Please contact Dr. Candice Moran at cmoran@kumc.edu with any questions or for required pre-group meeting.

Interpersonal Process Group
Mondays 5:00 – 6:30 pm | 2.9-5.4 | Meets in-person

Who: Students

Do you struggle to communicate authentically with others? Would you like to feel more comfortable with yourself? Doing so can reduce anxiety, improve mood, as well as enhance your relationships so they are more genuine. Participants will connect with others who seek interpersonal growth, and learn how to provide and receive constructive feedback in a safe and supportive environment.

Registration and pre-group meeting required by contacting Dr. Allison Roodman at aroodman@kumc.edu.

International Students Therapeutic Support Group
Wednesdays 4:00 – 5:00 pm | 2.11-5.6 | Meets via Zoom

Who: Students

As an international student, would you like to connect with others international students?  This weekly confidential support group allows international students to receive support from their international peers and discuss various themes including adjustment concerns, culture shock, academic distress, and race-related discrimination.

Registration and pre-group meeting required by contacting Dr. Monica Oh at moh3@kumc.edu

Writing Accountability Group
Wednesdays 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | 1.7-5.6 | In-person or via Teams

Who: graduate students, residents, and fellows

Struggling with writing? Make progress with the KUMC Writing Center during this weekly workshop (in-person in Dykes G012 or Teams). This group for graduate students, residents, and fellows will help you push your writing projects forward, set manageable goals, and build a supportive, interdisciplinary community of writers. Feel free to join as often as your schedule allows; the more meetings you attend, the more habitual writing will become. Each meeting will provide dedicated time, free from distractions, to write alongside your fellow writers and the writing specialist, Lisa Brune, PhD (she/her). 

Registration is required by visiting https://medconsult.kumc.edu. For more information contact Dr. Lisa Brune at lbrune@kumc.edu 

On-going Drop-in Opportunities for the KU Medical Center Community 

Bringing our Campus Community Together: Spiritual Gathering
Mondays 8:30 – 9:00 am | Every other week | Via Zoom or in Spencer Center

Who: Anyone in the KU Medical Center community is invited

We recognize the importance of supporting the spiritual needs of employees and students while helping them learn resiliency and feel connected. In collaboration with Counseling & Educational Support Services, the Impact & Belonging - KUMC team will hold a 30-minute hybrid gathering (unless otherwise specified) to bring us together and foster a sense of community. This gathering is provided for all KUMC employees, learners and partners. We welcome you to join us 8:30-9:00 a.m. every other Monday in the large gathering space in the Spencer Center (Orr Major B020) and via Zoom, unless otherwise noted. (exceptions made for holidays falling on a Monday). All are welcome. This is a respectful, kind, peaceful, and welcoming space for all.

Check KU Medical Center Spiritual Gathering Intranet page for dates and zoom link details.

Questions? Contact: Dr. Lynette Sparkman-Barnes at lsparkmanbarnes@kumc.edu