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FSAP Groups and Workshops

Last Updated: September 26, 2025 5:24:05 PM PDT
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Discover workshops and support groups offered by the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP). These programs provide a confidential and supportive space to learn, connect, and build skills on topics that matter to UC San Diego faculty and staff.

FSAP Community Guidelines: Our Commitment to Trust & Safety

We ask all participants to join with respect and care. FSAP supports the free and open exchange of thoughts and ideas and we are proud to facilitate meaningful conversations and professional collaborations through the use of Zoom. Please review our FSAP Community Guidelines  for the standards of behavior to create supportive, inclusive spaces on Zoom. 

 Upcoming Events

About the Groups Offered

The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) provides a range of groups to meet the diverse needs of UC San Diego employees. Some groups are open to the general campus community, while others are designed to bring together employees with shared identities or life experiences. All groups are facilitated by licensed professionals and offer a safe, supportive space for learning, connection, and growth.

Support Groups

Our support groups bring UC San Diego employees together to navigate common challenges, share strategies, and strengthen well-being. These groups meet on a recurring basis, offering an ongoing space to connect and grow. If you’re looking for immediate tools and guidance, explore our Wellness Resources — curated by FSAP to support your mental and emotional health in times of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.

Tritons Flourish

Open to all UC San Diego campus employees, Tritons Flourish provides a supportive space to connect with colleagues who are committed to thriving in both personal and professional life. The group is facilitated by William Youngblood, M.S., LMFT, CEAP, CATP and meets on the third Friday of each month from 12–1 p.m. Register through the Events Calendar above or view the Printable Flyer (PDF) below.

Tritons Flourish Printable Flyer (PDF)

Mindful Pause (Mindfulness Meditation Group)

Join this monthly group to explore practical ways of applying mindfulness in daily life, including the workplace. Each session includes a brief educational component followed by guided meditation exercises designed to foster calm, focus, and intentional presence. The group is facilitated by Bryan McNutt, Ph.D., LMFT, CEAP and meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Register once for the 2025 Wednesday Session Dates and choose any number of group meetings to attend.

Register for Mindful Pause

Communities of Focus Support Groups

FSAP also offers groups created specifically for employees with shared backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These groups celebrate community strengths, provide a space for mutual support, and create opportunities to connect across the university.

BIPOC

This monthly group provides a supportive online space for UC San Diego campus employees who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Together, participants can connect around shared identities and experiences in a confidential and inclusive environment. The group is facilitated by Cat Thompson, Ph.D., and Jennifer Triana Tahbaz, LCSW, CEAP, and meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 12–1 p.m. Register through the Events Calendar above or view the Printable Flyer (PDF).

BIPOC Support Group Printable Flyer (PDF)

Black Community

Designed for UC San Diego staff and faculty who identify as Black, this monthly group offers a safe and supportive space to connect around shared experiences and community identity. The group is facilitated by Cat Thompson, Ph.D., and meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 12–1 p.m. Register through the Events Calendar above or view the Printable Flyer (PDF).

Black Community Support Group Printable Flyer (PDF)

Campus Pride Community

Open to all UC San Diego campus employees, postdoctoral scholars, and retirees, this monthly group creates a supportive space for LGBTQ+ community members and allies to connect and share experiences. The group is facilitated by Cat Thompson, Ph.D., and meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 12–1 p.m. Register through the Events Calendar above or view the Printable Flyer (PDF).

Campus Pride Community Support Group Printable Flyer (PDF)

Neurodivergent Support Groups

Facilitated by Christina Lambert, Ph.D. Please email Dr. Lambert for more information 

Support Group for Neurodivergent Staff

Connect with other campus staff who experience challenges associated with, but not limited to, ADHD, Autism, Sensory Processing Sensitivity, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia. Share ideas. Find support. Cultivate strengths. Email Christina Lambert for more information

Support Group for Parents & Caregivers of Neurodivergent Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Connect with other campus staff, faculty and postdoctoral scholars who understand the journey of caring for and supporting neurodivergent youth. These group meetings provide a caring space for neurodivergent staff, postdoctoral scholars, and employees who are parents & caregivers of neurodivergent kids to support each other in strengthening professional effectiveness, emotional well-being, mindful living and interpersonal dynamics. Share experiences, strategies and resources. Email Christina Lambert for more information

Working with Neurodivergence — Consultation Hours

Dr. Christina Lambert of FSAP offers consultation to People Leaders and Faculty seeking strategies and resources to work effectively with neurodivergence (e.g., ADHD, Autism and Learning Disabilities) in themselves and/or others. Email Christina Lambert for more information 

Introduction to Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence

In honor of National Autism Acceptance Month (April) and Mental Health Awareness Month (May), campus faculty and staff are invited to join  Dr. Christina Lambert of FSAP for a virtual lunchtime workshop (12 - 1 p.m.). Introductory topics will include terminology, prevalence, variations, intersectionality, masking, burnout, strengths, advocacy and allyship. Check back next spring for new offerings from Dr. Lambert.

Parent and Caregiver Support Groups

Working Moms of 0-5 Year Olds Support Group

Working Parents of Elementary and Middle Schoolers Support Group, 

Working Parents of Teens Support Group

Caregivers and Eldercare Support Group

Connecting with Grief Series

Facilitated by Izabel Caetano Francy, LCSW, PMH-C, CEAP, this series explores the emotional landscape of grief in a supportive environment, with sessions to include psychoeducation, discussion questions, reflection and coping strategies to deepen participants' understanding of their grief process. 

Divorce or Separation

Kicking off the series, this short-term group was designed for those who have experienced divorce or marital separation and was offered on August 13, 20 and 27, 2025. We explored the emotional landscape of relationship grief in a supportive environment, with sessions to include psychoeducation, discussion questions, reflection and coping strategies to deepen participants' understanding of their grief process. 

Next Topic Coming Soon

Different topics and future dates to be announced. Attendance will be limited to 15 participants and we kindly request that you ensure you can attend all three sessions.

Express interest in future offerings

Presentations and Workshops

The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) offers presentations and workshops designed to support the well-being and professional growth of UC San Diego employees. Our office serves all UC San Diego campus faculty and staff, and all Postdoctoral and Visiting Scholars.

Request a Presentation or Workshop

Explore examples of past workshops below, and if one feels right for your team, let us know through our online request form.

A few things to know about our workshop process:

  • To request a presentation or workshop from FSAP, complete our online form.
  • FSAP presentations and workshops are available weekdays, only during regular business hours:  8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • An FSAP staff member will contact you within 3-5 business days.
  • Requests must be made at least 3 weeks in advance. More advanced notice is preferable. If you have a more urgent need, please contact us at fsap@ucsd.edu or leave a message at (858) 534-5523.

Examples of FSAP Workshops

  • Supporting the Hidden Worker: Supervising Diverse Employees — This presentation and interactive workshop will explore some of the main workplace stressors affecting diverse-identified employees, with primary consideration of the pervasive obstacles associated with minority stress.  We will explore opportunities that leaders have to provide culturally responsive support for diverse-identified employees, including effective supervisory engagement that fosters psychological safety and models a learning culture of work.  This group designed and typically facilitated by FSAP Counselor Bryan McNutt.
  • Hard Times, Soft Tactics: Mind-Body Skills for Busy Professionals — A sampler of simple, research-based approaches to help prevent stress-related illness, burn out and fatigue while empowering you to higher creativity and a more meaningful connection with your core values and relationships. This group designed and typically facilitated by FSAP Counselor Crystal De Bell.
  • Resiliency Toolbox — Learn how to increase your mental stamina and emotional flexibility. Develop your own standards for your capacity to bounce back from difficult and discouraging life events. Create a set of guiding principles you can live by. This group designed and typically facilitated by FSAP Counselor William Youngblood.
  • Navigating Uncertainty and Managing Stress — Learn practical and effective research-backed, brain-based techniques for managing the general challenges that arise during times of uncertainty and change. This group designed and typically facilitated by FSAP Counselor Izabel Caetano Francy.
  • The Supervisor's Toolkit in Dealing with the Troubled Employee — Learn your role in identifying and referring a troubled employee. This workshop is intended for supervisors or managers. This group designed and typically facilitated by FSAP Counselor William Youngblood.
  • Workplace Bullying, Fear, and Building Trust — An overview of workplace bullying solutions. Through a frank discussion of the equation that allows for bullying to arise, we can begin to see opportunities for change. Learn behaviors that are within our control, strategies for those who feel they have been bullied, tips for managers to create and maintain a safe workplace environment, as well as insights for those who may have been called a bully or have been accused of bullying. This group designed and typically facilitated by FSAP Counselor Izabel Caetano Francy.
  • Providing Pivotal Workplace Feedback — Haven’t we all wished we could say what we mean and mean what we say when asked to give feedback in the workplace? Too often we may find we are lacking for the right words to offer constructive and meaningful feedback for our coworkers, supervisors and teams. Whether we are asked for our opinion, simply need to give clearer direction to those we supervise or want to help shape the future of a project, this workshop will help participants learn an effective model for communication under high stakes circumstances. This group designed and typically facilitated by FSAP Counselor Christina Lambert.
  • Perfectly Imperfect Motherhood: Pregnancy & Beyond — An introduction to the emotional life of pregnant moms, a review of the challenges of new motherhood and the struggle to balance well-being. Participants will be introduced to research-backed, brain-based approaches to address stress and manage realistic parenting expectations during a life transition of massive change. Helpful handouts and resources will be provided for new moms and partners to share with their healthcare providers and family members. This group designed and typically facilitated by FSAP Counselor Izabel Caetano Francy.
  • Conscious Parenting — Explore practical tips on how to become a more conscious and conscientious parent to a child of any age. Based on current brain science, psychological development and attachment research, every parent can design their own path towards a more conscious and connected parenting practice. Come join a growing cadre of parents who are putting science to work in order to develop healthier and more fulfilling familial relationships. This group designed and typically facilitated by FSAP Counselor Izabel Caetano Francy.

These are some examples of our workshops or presentations that your staff or department might find interesting. Please submit a Request a Presentation or Workshop Form to get in touch with FSAP for more information and scheduling our services.

 Connect with FSAP

Meet Your Counselors

Choosing a counselor is a personal step in your wellness journey. Explore our team of experienced therapists and counselors, each with unique specialties and approaches to care.

Meet Our Team

Make an appointment

New clients, please submit a confidential online form.

Current and returning clients, please contact your counselor directly by phone or email.

You may also reach us at fsap@ucsd.edu, or by phone at 858-534-5523.

 

Learn how to make an appointment

Need help?

If you have questions, please reach out to hr@ucsd.edu.