CoS

Specialty represented on CoS

Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy

Formal Specialty Definition

Psychologists who demonstrate expertise in group skills represent a specialty of professional psychology that integrates the basic tenets of group psychotherapy and group dynamics research. The ongoing process and outcome research informs standards of care for members of groups and constitutes the foundation of scientific knowledge.

Overview of Organization and Goals

Bylaws

Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy Specialty Council

Levels of Specialty Training

Education and Training in Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy is available at the doctoral, internship, postdoctoral, and post-licensure levels. Training programs expect advanced clinicians to deliver a variety of group services from structured, time-limited homogeneous groups to open-ended long-term traditional process groups.

Specialty Board Certification

Board Certification in Group Psychology is available through the American Board of Group Psychology (ABGP), which is a Specialty Board of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) and the National Registry of Certified Group Psychotherapists (CGP) through the American Group Psychotherapy Association.

Sources of Specialty Recognition

  • APA/CRSPPP recognition
  • ABPP recognition

Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy Specialty Council Membership

  • American Psychological Association Division 49, Society of Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy
  • American Board of Group Psychologists (ABGP)
  • American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA)
  • Association for Specialist in Group Work (ASGW)
  • Training Program Representatives, including St. Elizabeth’s Hospital
  • Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW)

Education and Training Guidelines