Early Career Psychologists
Join Div. 49
Joining Div. 49 as an early career psychologist allows you a range of benefits as you begin your career focusing on group psychology or group psychotherapy. Through our division, you can find mentors in your field and network with other professionals as well as mentor students who are just entering this field of psychology.
Leadership and Service
Interested in growing your leadership skills through involvement in Div. 49? Committee participation is an excellent way to become connected to a vibrant network of people who are passionate about groups.
Write or edit for our newsletter
To become a guest editor, write reviews, edit a regular column or become involved with The Group Psychologist in other ways, contact Editor Thomas Treadwell or Associate Editor Leann Diederich.
Div. 49's academic journal, Group Dynamics: Theory, Research and Practice, deals with basic and applied topics in group research and application. To become a journal reviewer, contact Editor David Marcus.
Awards and Funding
The Society sponsors a number of awards, including many specifically for early career psychologists, such as the Dissertation of the Year Award.
APA offers many opportunities for and resources to find awards, grants and other funding specifically for early career psychologists.
The American Psychological Foundation (APF), the charitable arm of APA, encourages talented early career psychologists to solve social problems.
Other Funding Resources
Federal funding opportunities from the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF) and others.
An online tool providing help with the preparation of Data Management Plans for federal grants.
The University of Tennessee Office of Research offers articles, guides and manuals for writing grants.
The Foundation Center provides help finding funding opportunities from foundations.
APA offers a searchable database of opportunities for grants, awards and funding.
Journals
Group Dynamics: Theory, Research and Practice
Div. 49’s journal publishes original, empirical articles, theoretical analyses, literature reviews and brief reports dealing with basic and applied topics in the field of group research and application. The editors construe the phrase group dynamics in the broadest sense—the scientific study of all aspects of groups—and publish work by investigators in such fields as psychology, psychiatry, sociology, education, communication and business.
APA and Affiliated Journal Special Issues
Journals published by APA and affiliated with APA are academic resources providing the latest peer-reviewed research in a variety of fields and sub-fields within psychology and employing a range of methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Many journals publish special issues around specific topics or themes, and we invite you to explore some of these special issues that center around social psychology and group dynamics.
Starting You Career
Academic Careers and Tenure
APA Career Development for Academic Careers
APA provides resources with specific guidance for individuals interested in academic careers, including discussions of postdoctoral work, curriculum vitae do’s and don’ts, interview tips and salary information.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
The Chronicle of Higher Education provides advice about issues frequently faced by students in higher education and professionals beginning academic careers. Whether you need general encouragement, writing advice or suggestions for navigating academia, these columns have informative tips and resources
In this academic climate, it can be a challenge to secure a tenure-track position. Universities may vary in their expectations and achieving tenure can be a competitive, long process that requires a plan. If you’re on the tenure track, this article gives four key tips to making sure you get the ultimate prize.
Though you have likely been encouraged to search for a full-time, tenure-track assistant professor position, reports indicate that the largest increase in university faculty positions in recent years have been in full-time, non-tenure track positions.
Beyond a Psychology Department
The interdisciplinary nature of psychology makes individuals with doctoral degrees in psychology attractive as faculty members in a number of different academic settings.
Surviving and Thriving in Academia
This guide was written and reviewed by psychologists who have experienced or have close personal knowledge of the opportunities and special challenges academia poses for women and traditionally marginalized groups.
Work/Life Balance
APA Early Career Psychologist Resources
APA offers a range of resources for early career psychologists, including resources related to financial planning, the financial realities for psychology doctorates, debt management, loan repayment and work-life balance.
Self Care Presentation for Women (PDF, 179KB)
Women early career psychologists can face specific challenges related to their many roles and the realities of juggling careers, family activities and community involvement. This presentation provides useful information and advice about self care specifically for women.
Self Care as an Ethical Imperative (PDF, 314KB)
Self-care and nurturing your own psychological wellness can prevent burnout, vicarious traumatization and assist in maintaining professional competence. This presentation explains why self care is so important for those in the "caring professions," especially psychologists.
Making Work Your Family’s Ally
Work and family don't automatically have a negative impact on each other, say experts studying this area. It’s not job versus family. Work and family can benefit each other, psychological research shows.
Resources on Health and Emotional Wellness
Stress can take a toll on physical health, while physical challenges can bring new stress. By understanding how stress impacts health and steps we can take to stay emotionally balanced, we can lay the foundation for complete wellness.
Resources on Family and Relationships
Relationships and families can present us with both joys and challenges. By strengthening our own emotional health, we can build better connections to the important people in our lives.
This thorough and comprehensive resource guide covers a range of topics relevant to early career psychologists, including academia, research, parenting, life issues and funding.
Clinical Practice
Practice Guidelines
Practice Guidelines for Group Psychotherapy
The American Group Psychotherapy Association’s transtheoretical guide to developing and leading psychotherapy groups.
Best Practice Guidelines (PDF, 54KB)
The Assocaition for Specialists in Group Work’s guiding principles in planning, performing and processing group work.
The American Group Psychotherapy Association and International Board for Certification of Group Psychotherapists provide group therapy ethics resources.
APA Professional Practice Guidelines
Print Resources
The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy
Yalom, I. D. & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. (5th ed.). New York: Basic Books.
Handbook of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy
DeLucia-Waack, Gerrity, D. A., Kalodner, C. R., & Riva, M. T. (Eds.) (2003). Handbook of group counseling and psychotherapy. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Oxford Handbook of Group Counseling
Conyne, R. K. (Ed.) (2011). The Oxford handbook of group counseling. New York: Oxford University Press.
Other Group Professional Associations
Association for Specialists in Group Work
The Association for Specialists in Group Work provides resources for professionals to increase their knowledge and skills to practice group work. Some specific types of resources they provide are:
- Training videos and books
- The Journal for Specialists in Group Work
- Diversity topics and principles for diversity
- Opportunities for awards, grants and scholarships
- Opportunities to volunteer and grow in leadership
- Best practices
- Training standards
American Group Psychotherapy Association
The American Group Psychotherapy Association describes itself as “the voice of group therapy for mental health clinicians and the public-at-large, both nationally and internationally.” Some specific types of resources they provide are:
- Training opportunities and professional standards for training (PDF, 125KB)
- International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, books and other publications
- The Group Circle newsletter, containing news, research reports and helpful columns
- Information on the Outcome Questionnaire measures
- Group Foundation research grant