Leadership

The Board of Directors (BoD) is the governing body for the Division and is elected by the membership. The BoD meets twice a year to debate and discuss the activities of the Division.

The Division 49 of the American Psychological Association, Society of Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy is an impassioned, diverse, and distinct collection of individuals. Members of the Division are allied through a shared interest in groups and strengthened by the diversity of our membership and our varied perspectives. The Division welcomes all with an interest in the theory, research, and practice of group psychology and group psychotherapy to join us. Our Division is unique as we are all “group people.” We want to connect, collaborate, support one another, and enjoy our time together.

The Division’s activities are wide-ranging, including online and in-person learning opportunities. The Institute Program offers mutually fulfilling mentoring and mentorship opportunities. Our advocacy efforts included informing the lay public and policymakers about group dynamics, as well as promoting the use and reimbursement of group psychotherapy. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, the Division's journal, highlights scholarship across the wide scope of our interests. The Group Psychologistopens in new window newsletter provides thought-provoking perspectives from students and early career professionals through recognized leaders in the field.

Division 49 committees welcome new members and are revitalized by fresh faces and new perspectives. Because everyone has varying availability, the level of commitment can range from sharing your perspective on a topic, to contributing to a project, to running for a Board position.

For the two of us, serving in Division 49 has been an enlivening, growth-producing, and meaningful additive to our careers. However, the primary benefit is being part of a community and developing mutually supportive professional companionship.

Please consider joining our dynamic group of group people. We are committed to building a supportive professional organization that will benefit each of our members. We hope Division 49 can support each group psychologist’s journey and be a professional home that provides support, encouragement, new opportunities, and a sense of belonging and community.

Joe Miles and Francis Kaklauskas, President and Past President

President: Joe Miles, PhD
President-elect: Michele Ribeiro, EdD
Secretary: Ernest Park, PhD 
Treasurer: Dennis Kivlinghan, PhD