Groups and Events

Group Offerings

CST hosts several group offerings. Currently, all groups are virtual and conducted over Zoom video. Should this change, we will keep you informed.

Please note that specific group offerings and schedules do change from time to time, so we recommend speaking with your CST counselor or point of contact to learn more about group availability, schedule, and how to join.

Once you sign up for a group you will be added to a texting group and receive a weekly reminder about the group that will include the link to attend the group. This text message will be sent from the number (512) 352-9760. Should this procedure change in the future we will let you know.

CST’s Groups in Central Texas

At Center for Survivors of Torture — or CST as it is more commonly referred to — we see many people who have been forced to leave their countries because of threats to the health and safety of themselves or their families. These events combined with the journey to the United States and the challenges people commonly face after arrival can make it hard to adjust to a new environment and to feel like yourself. After surviving these kinds of circumstances, it is common to experience feelings of grief or anger, to have problems sleeping, having too many thoughts, forget things easily, feel very lonely and isolated, or to experience headaches or other kinds of pains.

CST’s groups focus on helping you feel better by targeting these areas using different approaches depending on the group. Some approaches emphasize practical information about community resources, others incorporate education about common reactions to distressing events, and others emphasize applying and practicing new skills to cope during highly stressful times and to enhance resilience and wellbeing. Regardless of approach, all groups recognize the importance of social connection and community and of maintaining a safe space where group members can learn from and empower one another.

Emergency and Crisis Resources

If at any time between CST group or individual sessions you find yourself feeling extremely overwhelmed, hopeless, or otherwise in distress here are some helpful resources:

• For immediate or life threatening emergency, including if you are having thoughts about killing yourself, call 911

Other helpful resources include:

• The National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Their phone number is 988.
• The Integral Care Crisis hotline. You can call this number any time of the day or night and speak with a counselor for additional emotional support. Their phone number is 512-472-4357. Once you get a person on the phone line you can request an interpreter by saying the word interpreter and then your language, or by simply repeating the name of the language that you speak if that is easier.
• For Austin Area Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES): A walk-in clinic for adults and children having a mental health crisis. Their hours are Monday – Friday 8am to 10pm and Weekends 10am-8pm. They are located in the Richard E. Hopkins Behavioral Health Building. The address is: 1165 Airport Blvd., Second Floor, Austin, TX 78701