Although members were notified when the petition was approved by CRSPPP and when APA approved it, the success bears repeating. Group is now a recognized specialty for doctoral, internship, postdoctoral and post-licensure psychology programs. This recognition is important for many of the current and future needs preparing group therapists because it conveys approval of the education and experiential guidelines for training programs for clinical, school and counseling psychologists.
When we were waiting for the final APA approval, the Group Specialty Council developed talking points for why group should be a specialty. I pass these on in case you have an opportunity to promote group as a specialty. Education and Training in Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy provides programs and psychologists with the following:
- Evidence based theories and practices to guide research, practice and teaching.
- Substantial references /studies are available to support its efficacy. The petition provided hundreds of references and studies.
- Group studies and practices serve the public’s need for mental health education and services.
- The use of group has shown to be effective for a variety of target audiences from childhood to older adults.
- Group applications have demonstrated their usefulness in treatment for a wide variety of problems, issues and concerns.
- Groups can be used for prevention and for treatment.
- Education and training in group psychology and group psychotherapy are necessary for safe and ethical practice.
- Provides for continuing education as new research findings emerge and can be applied.
We owe great appreciation and thanks to the individuals who participated in writing and reviewing the petition: Eleanor Counselman, Staci Smith, Noelle LaForge, Joshua Gross, Allen Sherman, Robert Gleaves, Gary Burlingame, Joel Frost, Samuel James, Tony Sheppard, Loretta Braxton, Sally Barlow, Martyn Whittingham, Misha Bogomaz, Les Greene, Kathy Ulman, Richard Billow, Nicole Millman-Falk and Marsha Block.
Central to the success of the petition was the leadership from Div. 49, AGPA, IBCGP and ABGP. The American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) is a multidisciplinary association that includes psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, clinical mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, pastoral counsel, creative art therapists and academics. The International Board for Certification of Group Psychotherapists (IBCGP) is a certifying body for the many mental health professionals who want to be recognized as group specialists by obtaining the Certification in Group Psychotherapy (CGP). The American Board of Group Psychology (ABGP) is the certifying body for psychologists as a specialist in Group Psychotherapy.
While it is tempting to rest on our laurels, there is still work to be done. The most current and urgent task is to update the Draft Practice Guidelines. Anyone interested in working on this task is encouraged to contact Josh or Martyn Whittingham. A longer-term task is to have psychology training programs provide group education and experiences in their preparation, even if group psychology and group psychotherapy is not a specialty for the particular program. The current president and president-elect are involved in planning to achieve that goal. There are many other tasks that could use your time and expertise. You are invited to volunteer when these are announced. The continued success for the specialty relies on the Society and its members.