SPECIFIC INTEREST SECTIONS

Section II

A Couples Group: Healing in Intimate Relationships

Instructors:

Molly Donovan, Ph.D., CGP, Private Practice, Washington, D.C.

Barry Wepman, Ph.D., Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C.

A couples group affords an unusual opportunity for partners in a committed relationship. This group, led by a married couple, will explore the healing aspects of the marital relationship and the group setting. We will examine ways that couples may be able to explore sensitive issues using the group as a holding medium.

Course References:

1. Goldbart, W. & Waller, D. (1994). Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson. 

Section III 

A Journey through the Unconscious and Repetition, Transference and the Drive as Explained by Lacan

Instructor:          

Macario Giraldo, Ph.D., CGP, Chair, National Group Psych. Institute,

Washington School of Psychiatry, Washington, D.C.

This institute will provide participants with an in depth personal experience informed by the teachings of the French Psychoanalyst and Philosopher Jacques Lacan. The didactic section will cover four fundamental concepts of psychoanalysis as they apply to the psychoanalytic group.

Course References:

1. Felman, S. (1987). Jacques Lacan and the Adventure of Insight: Psychoanalysis in  

2. Giraldo, M. (2001). Chaos and Desire: The Simple Truth of the Unconscious in the

3. Verhaegue, P. (1999). Love in a Time of Loneliness: Three Essays on Drive and Desire.    

Section IV 

A Men’s Group

 Instructor:

Isaac Youcha, M.S.W., Private Practice, New York, New York

This experiencial group will offer members (all men) the opportunity to examine what it means to be a man in today’s world. How has the image of men changed over the years and how has the women’s movements effected men. What are the pressures men live under and how do they effect men phsyically, emotionally and in their roles as fathers, sons, husbands and brothers.

Course References:

Section V

A Modern Analytic Approach to Working with Immediacy

Instructor:         

          Elliot Zeisel, Ph.D., CGP, FAGPA, Faculty, Center for Modern Psychoanalytic

          Studies,New York, New York

Working in the here and now provides us with a picture of interpersonal experience and a window into the patient’s and leader’s intrapsychic process. We will explore the use of various interventions in the resolution of resistance and examine methods for enhancing the leader’s ability to use countertransference reactions to overcome obstacles in himself and in group members.

Course References:

3. Spotnitz, H. (1976). Psychotherapy of Preoedipal Conditions. Ch. 31. “Training in the Use of Feelings” New

Section VI 

A Systems-Centered Approach to Groups

Instructors:       

Yvonne Agazarian, Ed.D., CGP, FAGPA, Founder, Systems-Centered

Training and Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Susan Gantt, Ph.D., CGP, Director, Systems-Centered Training and

Research Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia

Experiential work and review will focus on developing a systems-centered group with emphasis on promoting functional subgrouping as the SCT technique that enables members to discriminate and integrate differences rather that stereotyping or scapegoating them.

Course References:

2. Bennis, W. & Shepard, H. (1957). A theory of group development.  Human Relations, 9(4), 415-437.

3. Brabender, V. (1997). Chaos and order in the psychotherapy group. In F. Maasterpasqua and P. Perna

Section VII 

Fostering Regression: The "Omnipotent Child" Takes Center Stage

Instructor:

Stewart Aledort, M.D., CGP, Clinical Faculty, Washington Psychoanalytic

Socety, Washington, D.C.

This institute will demonstrate over time four major developmental phase of group psychoanalysis (the fit; separation/individual, sexuality ambiguity, and safe harbors; and analytic culture), that the group, the leader, and the group members must negotiate to organize around an effective durable analytic culture.

The psycho-sexual development phases, along with its attendant narcissistic and object related conflicts will be experienced and examined. This model is based on groups that meet two to three times but can also be applied to once weekly groups.

1. Aledort, S. (2002). The Omnipotent Child Syndrome: The Role of Passionately Held Bad Fits in the      

2. Beebe, B. (2002). Co-constructing Mother-Infant Distree: The Michrosynchrony of Mutal Impingement and

Section VIII 

Integrating Spirituality, Meditation and Group Therapy 

Instructor:

                     Kenneth Porter, M.D., CGP, FAGPA, Director of Psychiatry, Center for

          Spirituality and Psychotherapy, New York, New York

This institute will experientially demonstrate spiritually-oriented group psychotherapy, teaching an innovative paradigm with new models of therapeutic philosophy, self, healing process, and therapeutic technique. Most time will be spent in spiritually-oriented group process, with significant time also in meditation with instruction. There will be a didactic theoretic section.

Course References:

2. Welwood, J. (2000). Toward a Psychology of Awakening. Boston, Massachusetts: Shambhala Publications.

Section IX

Integrative Relational Group Therapy

Instructor:

Michael Stiers, Ph.D., CGP, Faculty, The Washington School of

Psychiatry, Washington, D.C.

Contemporary group psychotherapy is informed by several relational theories, including interpersonal, object relations, self psychology and intersubjective approaches. This experiential section will use these theoretical approaches as interchangeable lenses to focus on and facilitate the group's development. The feasibility of integrative approaches will be discussed by making use of the members' experience.

Section X 

Issues of Aging in the Therapist's Life and Practice

Instructors:

Beryce MacLennan, Ph.D., CGP, DFAGPA, Faculty, Washington School

of Psychiatry, Washington, D.C.

George Saiger M.D., CGP, FAGPA, Chair, Center for Study of

Psychotherapies for the Aging, Washington School of Psychiatry, Washington, D.C.

This Institute Section is a process in which participants explore experiences which they have encountered in their own lives or with their patients. The issues explored will be integrated into a theoretical model of therapy with the aging.

Course References:

2. Nobler, H.  It's Never too Late to Change: A Group Psychotherapy Experience for Older Women.  Group

Section XI

Keeping Our Passion Alive - Leading Groups and Enriching the Leader's Inner Life

Instructors:

            Martha Gilmore, Ph.D., CGP, Private Practice, Sacramento and Davis,

               Haim Weinberg, M.A., Faculty Member, Group Leader's Training Program,

We will use the process of the institute to examine how group leadership can be used not only to heal the group but also to sustain and enrich the leader’s inner life.  We will focus on maintaining a therapeutic stance in group that helps the leader prevent burnout and vicarious traumatization and enhances self-care.  Counter-transferential, gender, group, and societal pressures and the use of co-therapy will be addressed.

Course References:

Section XII

Leadership Issues in Group Therapy for the Addictions

Instructor:           

Henry Spitz, M.D., CGP, FAGPA, Director, Group Psychotherapy

Program, Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York,

New York

Working with problems of alcoholism and addiction in the group setting can be a stressful experience for group leaders. This section will address the therapist’s side of the group treatment equation. Issues of therapist self-disclosure, countertransference, “burn out” and the departures from one’s conventional group leadership style in order to tailor a group to meet the unique needs of addicted populations will form the focus of this institute.

Course References:

1. Brook, D. & Spitz, H. (2002). The Group Therapy of Substance Abuse. New York, NY: The Haworth Medical

2. Spitz, H. & Spitz, S. (1998). A Pragmatic Approach to Group Psychotherapy. Philadelphia, PA: Taylor and

Section XIII 

Mistakes I Have Made

Instructor:

Nina Fieldsteel, Ph.D., FAGPA, Faculty, Center for Psychoanalytic

Studies, Massachusetts,General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts

This experience is designed to help therapists look at what they have felt were "mistakes"; to explore where and how they occur; to assess the role of theory in defining mistakes. It will also consider the differences in what the therapist sees as a mistake and what the patient experiences as a mistake. Finally how to use "mistakes" for learning for both the patient, the group and the therapist.

Course References:

1. Casement, P. (2002). Learning from our mistakes. New York. Guilford Press Book.

2. Aron, L. (1996). A Meeting of Minds. New York:  Analytic Press.

Section XIV

Psychodrama for Psychodynamic Practitioners

Instructor:           

Merle Goldberg, LCSW, BCD, CGP, Private Practice, Silver Spring,

Maryland

This experiential section will focus on the practical use of psychodrama techniques and therapy to expand the possibilities in both group and individual practice. We will be exploring Moreno’s concepts of spontaneity, creativity, empathy, dreaming, and staying in the moment. Through our own interactions, we will experience various ways psychodrama promotes more rapid group cohesion and greater empathic responsiveness, gently overcomes resistance and moves toward problem resolution and position future overted change.

Course References:

1. Blatner, H. (1988). Acting-In. New York: Springer Publishing Co.

2. Dayton, T. (1994). The Drama Within. Deerfield Beach, FL. Health Communication Inc.

Section XV

Sibling Dynamics and Group Psychotherapy

Instructor:           

            John Caffaro, Ph.D., Professor, California School of Professional 

            Psychology, Los Angeles, California

Course References:

   Group Psychotherapy, 53, (2), 135-154.

Section XVI 

The Art of Co-Therapy, the Deep Relationship and Impact of Therapists who Work Together Presented under the auspices of the Co-therapy Special Interest Group

Instructors:       

            Vivian Nelson, M.A., Private Practice, Berkeley, California

                     Bill Roller, M.A., CGP, FAGPA, Private Practice, Berkeley, California

                        This institute will focus on the relationship between co-therapists and how it influences both the process and outcome of a therapy group.  The leaders will draw on their own research for clinical examples to show how an experienced team can balance skills, manage projective identification, communicate openly, and participate equally.

Section XVII 

The Gay Therapist and The All-Gay Group: Trust, Boundaries, and the Use of Self

Presented under the auspices of the Gay,Lesibian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Special Interest Group

Instructor:     

Joel Frost, Ed.D., CGP, FAGPA, Private Practice, Boston, Massachusetts

This Institute is for gay male therapists, so that we can focus specifically on our group work with gay men. We will explore the development of trust, how we attach, how we establish and maintain internal and external boundaries, as well as how we manage shame and affect. Attention will be paid to parallel process.

 Course References:

1. Frost , J. (1998).Countertransference Considerations For The Gay Male Therapist When Leading

    Psychotherapy Groups for Gay Men. International Journal  of Group Psychotherapy, 48(1), 3-24.

    Kaufman, G., & Raphael, L. (1996). Coming Out of Shame. New York: Doubleday.

Section XVIII

The Influence of Self-Psychology and Intersubjectivity on Group Process

Instructor:     

Walter Stone, M.D., CGP, DFAGPA, Professor Emeritus, University of

Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio

This section will examine the shift in conceptualizing group-as-a-whole and interpersonal processes as they may be impacted by application  of self psychology and intersubjectivity. Discussion of the experience will address these theories to the process of change.

Course References:

1. Stone, W. (2001). The Role of the therapist's affect in the detection of empathic failures,

    misunderstandings and injury. Group 25, 3-14.

2. Livingston, M. (1999). Vulnerability, tenderness and the experience of selfobject relationship: A self

    psychological view of deepening curative process in group psychotherapy. International Journal of Group

    Psychotherapy, 49, 19-40.

The Narcissistic Underpinnings of Group Therapy

Instructor:         

Bennett Roth, Ph.D., CGP, FAGPA, Faculty, Adelphi University,

Section XX

Transference and Countertransference in Analytic Group Therapy

Instructor:           

Priscilla Kauff, Ph.D., CGP, DFAGPA, Clinicial Associate Professor,

Department of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College, Cornell University, Ithaca,

New York

Transference and countertransference are central to anaalytic group therapy. Understanding, identifying and dealing with these processes is the essence of the treatment. The analytic group is ideally suited to reveal and help resolve transference. It is also invaluable to the therapist in uncovering and managing countertransference.

Course References:

1. Durkin, H. & Glatzer, H. (1997). Transference neurosis in group psychotherapy: The concept and the reality.

    International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 47, 183-199.

2. Kauff, P. (1997). Transference and regression in and beyond analytic group psychotherapy: revisiting some

    timeless thoughts. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 47, 201-210.

Section XXI 

Women's Groups: Creating Hope and Healing

Instructor:

Barbara Cohn, Ph.D., CGP, Associate Professor Psychology, Columbia

University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York

All female groups generate processes valuable to the growth and healing of women.Guided imagry, riting,and group process will be utilized to give participants opportunities to learn about themselves in this unique context. Themes will include body identity, sexuality, sexual orientation and projections of self into the future.

Course References:

1. DeChant, B. (1996). Women and Group Psychotherapy, New York: Guilford.

2. Daniluk, J. (1998). Women's Sexuality across the life span: Challenging Myths and Creating Meanings. New

3. Kidd, S. (2001). The Secret Life of Bees. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam, Inc.