Where to get additional training as a group therapist

When I was first offered the opportunity to become the group director at a previous job early in my career, the only thing I really knew about group therapy was what I had learned in graduate school. I didn’t know all the ins and outs of what it logistically meant to run groups. 

I then set out on a journey to learn more about what group therapy was all about. Over the last 4 years, I feel like I have gotten a second masters degree in group therapy through all the continued training and supervision I have gone through, and it has been amazing to experience. I currently engage in a training group, supervision group, individual supervision for groups, one on one group mentorship and am always attending (and now giving!) trainings. 

So read below to learn more about the types of additional trainings available if you’re interested in getting more into the “Group” world:

✅ AGPA - American Group Psychotherapy Association has a membership, annual conference and year round virtual and in person trainings. Their website is agpa.org. 

✅ Books - The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy is the group “bible”. Another great book is “Group” by Christie Tate. 

✅ Get Supervision - Many seasoned group therapists offer private supervision which has been an amazing thing to experience, plus you can earn hours towards your CGP (certified group psychotherapist) certificate! 

✅ Join a supervision group - being part of a supervision group for other group therapists is a great way to not only brainstorm ideas (both clinical and business) with like minded colleagues but to also network! I’m personally part of a child and adolescent group supervision through my AGPA membership and I’ve met some of my favorite colleagues that way! 

✅ Join a training group - a training group is essentially group therapy for therapists. Learning experientially has been the best way for me to become better and better at what I do. I would recommend that all group therapists be part of a training group or at least have done an intensive experiential group training experience! 

✅ Evidence based training - if you will be running skills groups make sure you are trained in the skills you will be teaching! There are also great curricula you can purchase which will guide you through how to teach the skills in a group setting. Some evidence based books I have loved are here, here, and here.

✅ Buying other curriculum - there are lots of group therapy curricula you could purchase in order to help guide your groups, especially if you are new to running groups. Some books I have loved that I have used in my group curriculum are here and here.

If you are a therapist and looking for additional support in putting together groups, participate in a workshop or meet one on one for individual consultation.