American Group Psychotherapy Association

The American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) is a not-for-profit multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to enhancing the practice, theory and research of Group Psychotherapy

Group psychotherapy

Group psychotherapy or group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which one or more therapists treat a small group of clients together as a group...

Membership

American Group Psychotherapy Association a national organization with over 2000 members(national and international) and 31 Affiliate Societies.
Members come from varied and diverse disciplines such as: Psychology

Psychology

Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...

, Creative Arts Therapists, Psychiatry

Psychiatry

Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities...

, Nursing

Nursing

Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....

, Social Work

Social work

Social Work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of an individual, group, or community by intervening through research, policy, community organizing, direct practice, and teaching on behalf of those afflicted with poverty or any real or...

, Professional Counselors

Licensed Professional Counselor

Licensed professional counselor is a licensure for mental health professionals. The exact title varies by state, but the other most frequently used title is licensed mental health counselor . Several U.S. states, including Illinois, Maine, and Tennessee, have implemented a two-tier system whereby...

, Addictions Counselors, and Marriage and Family Therapists to name a few.
Each year AGPA's annual meeting attracts approximately 1000 attendees. The site of each year's annual meeting rotates in order to offer accessibility and exposure to the diverse and rich membership of the association.

AGPA's Mission

To promote quality group psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to any form of therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client or patient; family, couple or group...

care as a primary method of treatment that is clinically sound, cost-effective, and accessible.
To advance group psychotherapy training and research.
To provide a network of peer support and educational opportunities that serves the professional needs of group practitioners & individual practitioners.
To advocate for quality care on behalf of its members, clients/patients and the public.
To actively respond to matters of social issues and social policy.

History

The inception of the American Group Psychotherapy Association began in 1942 with the actual decision to found the organization being made in February 1943 during a meeting of the American Orthopsychiatric Association in New York City. The organization was first named the American Group Therapy Association. In 1952, the name was officially changed to the American Group Psychotherapy Association. Since its inception AGPA has remained true to its tenets to promote the practice, theory and research of group. The inclusionary nature of this organization continues to attract members from varying disciplines. Samuel R. Slavson was one of the founders and served as the first president of the AGPA.

Certification

The National Registry of Certified Group Psychotherapists (NRCGP)is a not-for-profit corporation formed to function autonomously from AGPA. The NRCGP awards group therapists certification after they have presented documentation demonstrating the completion of a significant amount of training through coursework, experience, and supervision. A Certified Group Psychotherapist(CGP) is also required to continue life-long learning by obtaining continuing education credits (CEU's).

Organizational Involvement

The diversity of AGPA membership has been actively involved in the promotion of group therapy

Group therapy

Group psychotherapy or group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which one or more therapists treat a small group of clients together as a group...

as an alternative treatment to the public and private sectors. The development of ethical and practice standards. AGPA membership has also responded to the Nations' disasters; for example September 11 and Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...

. AGPA has also developed a CORE battery for use by practitioners. This battery assists the clinician in the development of an evidence-based practice.

Professional Organizations

Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW)a division of ACA

Institute for Group Analysis

consumer information

affiliate society links

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