Center for the Study of Group Psychotherapy (CSGP)

Mission Statement:

The Center for the Study of Group Psychotherapy (CSGP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting group psychotherapy and providing group psychotherapy training for mental health professionals.

Who We Are:

CSGP is dedicated to promoting group psychotherapy as a highly beneficial form of psychotherapy. We are also a community of group psychotherapists who offer support to group psychotherapists. CSGP promotes group therapy through networking activities and by reaching out to all mental health professionals through our website and our events.

What We Offer:

CSGP offers CE-eligible (BBS/BOP) coursework on developing and increasing leadership skills in therapy groups, as well as providing advanced training on handling challenging clinical dilemmas in group therapy. Our trainings are applicable to many different types of groups, including psychoeducational, psychotherapy, and professionally led support groups and to a multitude of settings including private practice, agency, medical settings, and other organizations. Our coursework allows professionals to learn techniques and methods essential to running effective groups.

Why Group Psychotherapy?

Group psychotherapy offers many advantages over individual psychotherapy. From a therapeutic standpoint, group psychotherapy better addresses some psychological issues, for example, the treatment of individuals struggling with social skills, social isolation, and interpersonal relationships. For both mental health professionals and clients, group psychotherapy can be a cost-effective way of providing and receiving psychotherapy.

In Group psychotherapy a client learns about his or her interpersonal impact on others and how to increase relatedness and connection with others within and outside of the group.

Group psychotherapy also offers important therapeutic benefits that cannot be provided in one-on-one sessions with the client. Group psychotherapy offers a significantly different therapeutic alliance as an alliance is formed with the group itself and not just the therapist. In addition, group psychotherapy offers interpersonal feedback from peers, a factor highly valued by group participants. The group setting also allows individuals an alternate way of working through attachment issues. Group psychotherapy offers group members opportunities to try out new behaviors and take on new roles in a safe environment.