About Us
Div. 49 provides a professional home for all psychologists interested in the study and application of group dynamics. The division promotes the development and advancement of the field of group psychology and the modality of group psychotherapy through research, teaching and education and clinical practice.
News and Resources
News of interest to Div. 49 members.
This paper is available as a free download on the journal webpage.
Mandated vaccinations or quarantines during an epidemic are necessary to limit the spread of communicable diseases, but certain groups resist these initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-quarantine groups protested the mandate to socially distance and remain at home. Forsyth’s analysis of media descriptions determined that these groups’ responses to a legally and medically warranted health initiative resulted from groupthink: the deterioration of judgment and rationality that sometimes occurs in groups. The conditions that cause groupthink include high levels of cohesion and isolation and group illusions and pressures to conform. For centuries, public health interventions have generated opposing anti-regulation reactions, and so no amount of planning may be sufficient to prevent such groups. Forsyth argues that a group dynamics understanding of the phenomenon may lead to group-level interventions that directly address the processes that cause groupthink, such as isolation, conformity pressure, and cohesion. Interventions informed by a group dynamics perspective could reduce the influence of such groups on their members and on society.
Div. 49 program for APA's 2020 virtual convention (PDF, 306KB)
Join Div. 49 for virtual sessions related to group psychology and group psychotherapy at APA's 2020 virtual convention, Aug. 6-9.
COVID-19 editorial: Growing telehealth programs in the time of the pandemic
Joshua M. Gross, PhD, ABPP, 2020 president-elect of Div. 49, discusses the importance of structure in telehealth group psychotherapy, especially during COVID-19.
Join Div. 49 for a training director and trainee meet and greet
On Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, Div. 49 will host a virtual meet and greet to connect training directors and coordinators with potential interns and postdocs.
Statement from the Div. 49 Board on racism, police brutality and the importance of diversity
June 25, 2020
Div. 49 (Society for Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy)
As a Board, we want to be active in creating and following through on concrete actions to bring about change. We have discussed ways to raise awareness and challenge ourselves to be more proactive in combatting racism, discrimination, and social inequity.
Informed consent for group therapy by telehealth (PDF, 94KB)
June 18, 2020
Div. 49 (Society for Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy)
Information about providing telehealth and a sample consent form.
Balancing anxiety — negative versus positive COVID-19 thinking
April 14, 2020
The Group Psychologist, Div. 49 newsletter
Tevya Zukor, PhD, discusses the stresses associated with the pandemic as well as the need to maintain social connections even while physically distancing from others.
How to do group therapy using telehealth
April 10, 2020
APA Services
Group therapists are responding to COVID-19 by rapidly transitioning from in-person to online therapies.
Maintaining connections in an age of physical distancing
April 14, 2020
The Group Psychologist, Div. 49 newsletter
Newsletter editor Tom Treadwell, EdD, and associate editor Leann Diederich, PhD, discuss ways for members to connect virtually while physically distancing.
AAPA Executive Committee releases public statement on COVID-19
April 3, 2020
Asian American Psychological Association
As an organization whose mission is to advance the mental health and well-being of Asian American communities, we draw attention to the additional stressors faced by our communities who are contending with increased stigma, racism, and xenophobia
If we're all caught in a dangerous pandemic, where does the impulse to help others come from?
April 1, 2020
Washington Post
Why, when their own welfare is so clearly at stake, do people share resources or risk exposure to the virus to help others?
Welcome to APA's Div. 49 (Society of Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy), In 2021 we continue to face the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, which has been made worse by the longer-standing social problems of economic inequality and embedded racism in so many of our public and private institutions. We will continue to face these issues and have been fortunate to have had strong and thoughtful Society leadership that leaves us ready to carry on.
Get Involved
We invite you to learn more about our Society and considering joining. Once you become a member, there are many ways to get involved.
Resources
For Group Psychotherapy
From Div. 49 Publications
For Students and Early Career Psychologists
Div. 49 fosters opportunities for student involvement in a diverse and positive organizational culture that encourages networking, mentoring, participation and service.
Div. 49 assists psychologists beginning careers in group psychology and psychotherapy with career development, financial planning, work/life balance, funding and grants.
Div. 49 provides information, organized by region, about practicums, internships and postdoctoral programs emphasizing group psychology and group psychotherapy.
Many psychology fields work with groups, offering career paths, including clinical, counseling, social, industrial-organizational, addiction, child and adolescent, military and sport psychologists.
Publications
Stay up-to-date with news and resources for students and psychologists at all career levels by reading the latest issue of our newsletter.
Group Dynamics: Theory, Research and Practice
Div. 49’s journal publishes original, empirical articles, theoretical analyses, literature reviews and brief reports.
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Related
Member Benefits
Discover the academic and professional resources available when you become a Div. 49 member.
Overview
Explore the history of Div. 49, as well as resources and videos for those interested in groups.