The ongoing synergy to advance formal recognition of group psychology and group psychotherapy as a specialty continues to amaze me. Since the formal recognition of APA’s Commission for the Recognition of Specialties and Subspecialties in Professional Psychology (CRSSPP) in 2018, many efforts have been underway to solidify, advance, and expand the specialty. We’ve made considerable progress and have several achievements worth announcing.
Dissemination of the specialty: We recently learned that the Education and Training Guidelines of Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy will be published in Training and Education in Professional Psychology. This publication will offer a guide to programs on meeting standards for training students and professionals to become group specialists. Additional information about the importance of the specialty that was intended for a large audience was published as Group psychotherapy as a specialty: an inconvenient truth (Whittingham, Lefforge, Maramarosh, 2021).
Evidence-base for the specialty: The literature base underlying group as a specialty continues to grow. For example, Group Dynamics published several papers that are likely to be referenced in the next petition including Recent advances in the study of group cohesion (Forsyth, 2021). Efforts are currently underway to compile the group psychotherapy evidence-based treatments into a website for use by the general public, practitioners, researchers, and students. Group psychology and group psychotherapy’s dissemination are also gaining broader audiences through endeavors such as the American Journal of Psychotherapy’s Special Issue on Group Psychotherapy.
Sustainability: The Group Specialty Council shifted its financial model with an eye on sustainability. With a history of financial support from its sponsoring organizations, the Group Specialty Council’s focus this year has been to secure annual commitments of significant contributions from each one. We (Div. 49) are the largest contributor given our ongoing investment in maintaining and furthering group as a specialty. The American Board of Group Psychology (ABGP, the group specialty board of ABPP) also formally approved the contribution that was requested. The American Group Psychotherapy Association will be reviewing the proposal in request of their contribution at their next board meeting. All three organizations, in conjunction with the Association for Specialists in Group Work and training organizations like St. Elizabeth’s, have demonstrated their multifaceted dedication and support for the specialty.
As tempting as it is to take a moment to sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labor, we must keep on going. With the resubmission of our renewal petition due on January 1, 2025, there is no time like the present to amplify the momentum. This truly is a group task. To be successful, we will need to create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. We are well positioned to do just that – but we’ll need your help.
What can you do to advance the specialty?
Program directors, group coordinators, and faculty: If you are involved with a training program at any level (doctoral, internship, postdoctoral) and your program offers training in group, reach out to the Specialty Council for assistance with ensuring you are marketing your program effectively. The Specialty Council will soon be publishing tools on its website to help you evaluate your program and an outreach plan to programs will commence in the fall. We need more programs advertising their specialty training and including evaluation of the specialty in their accreditation processes.
Individual psychologists: If you are a psychologist with experience in group psychology and/or group psychotherapy, become credentialed in the specialty through the American Board of Group Psychology. For more information visit: https://abpp.org/Applicant-Information/Specialty-Boards/Group-Psychology/Application,-Specialty-Specific-Fees.aspxopens in new window.
Students: If you are a student interested in training in group psychology and group psychotherapy, look for programs that offer training that aligns with the specialty. You can reach out to our Student Committee who is working on updating training sites. If you are in a program that offers training in group, help connect your faculty/directors with the Group Specialty Council.
Researchers: If you a researcher in group psychology and group psychotherapy, your publications help promote the underpinnings of the specialty. Notify the Group Specialty Council about your contributions to the literature base.
Learn more by visiting the Group Specialty Council’s webpage.