CENTER FOR GROUP STUDIES UPDATE FALL 2008

CGS Continues Training in St. Petersburg, Russia

At the start of October, CGS faculty member and program developer Harold Stern returned to St. Petersburg, Russia, to conduct training in modern psychoanalytic group techniques for over 30 Russian mental health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers. This time, Sally Henry and Robert Weinstein are the CGS faculty members accompanying Stern on this exciting trip. Together the three will conduct an intensive three-day training consisting of workshops, process groups and supervision groups. This delightful intercultural program follows the model of the Center’s Weekend Training Program, and as such calls for students to attend three weekend sessions a year for three years. At the end of the three years, the Russian participants will join with the New York weekend participants for a final training session and a festive graduation ceremony.

Weekend Training Program: Fall’s Focus is on Dreams

The Weekend Training Program reconvenes for the 2008-2009 year on October 24-26, 2008 at the Warwick Hotel in New York City. The theme of this weekend is “Working with Unconscious Material: Dreams, Symbolic and Non-verbal Communications.” This session’s process group leaders are Lucy Holmes and Martha Gunzburg. The Sunday morning group training session will be led by Ronnie Levine and Bob Weinstein, while the workshops will by facilitated by Alice Brown and Phyllis Cohen. The supervision portion of the weekend will be provided by Myrna Kortlander.

CGS is pleased to be able to host two participants from our training program in Russia for our October weekend. This will give these students an opportunity to have first-hand experience of the New York weekend.

The Weekend Training Program trains participants in modern group psychoanalytic process, utilizing techniques developed by the pioneering modern group analyst Louis Ormont, PhD. Training weekends entail three days of intensive workshops, process groups and supervision groups. Three modules are taught each year, over a period of three years. These on-site weekends need not be taken in sequence.

The Weekend Training offers a reading program and supervision in addition to the experiential and didactic training provided through the weekend sessions. Our Center’s training program satisfies the coursework requirements of the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA), for the Certified Group Practitioner (CGP) credential.

CGS Represented at NAAP Conference

The National Association for the Advancement of Psychotherapy (NAAP) will hold its 36th annual conference on October 18, 2008 at Fordham University School of Social Work at Lincoln Center. The subject is “Listening in the Age of Google: Clinical Perspectives and Social Action.” CGS will have a table at the event to promote our trainings and coursework to attendees. If you’re there, stop by and say hello!

CGS Affiliates Present at EGPS

Several affiliates of CGS will be making presentations at the 2008 Annual Conference of the Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society, November 21-22 at Riverside Church in New York City. Gail Brown will discuss “Parallel Process and Induced Feelings in Group Development.” Ronnie Levine will discuss “Managing Love and Hate in Group Settings.” Phyllis Cohen will present "I Never Gave a Workshop: Banishing Professional Stage Fright and Creating New Possibilities." Joan Wittig will discuss “Getting Back into our Bodies: What We Can Learn from Compulsive Overeaters” and Jeff Conway will speak on "The Value of Anger in Group Therapy for Group Members and Therapists." For further information on the conference or to register, visit www.egps.org

HealthCare Chaplaincy Training

HealthCare Chaplaincy, a non-profit organization founded in 1961 and dedicated to the advancement of pastoral care, has hired the Center for Group Studies to conduct an 11-week training program for the professional development of trainees. CGS senior faculty member, Janet Resnick began teaching the course about modern group process in September.

CGS has conducted trainings in group process for many venues throughout the years, including educational institutions, mental health settings, substance abuse facilities and hospital settings. If you are interested in having CGS tailor a program to the needs of your organization, contact the Group Center.

OASAS Approves the Center for Continuing Education Credits

CGS has been approved as an education and training provider by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). This credentialing means that Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASACs) can now earn Continuing Education (CE) credits by participating in any of the Center’s local courses. CGS is looking forward to welcoming new students who will surely benefit from our training in modern group process. If you are a CASAC looking to earn CEUs you may qualify for reduced tuition. Contact the Group Center office.

End-of-Year Tax Planning

CGS has been approved as an education and training provider by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). This credentialing means that Certified Alcohol The Center for Group Studies is a not-for-profit educational organization that gratefully accepts contributions that help sustain our programming. All donations to the Center are fully tax-deductible and definitely appreciated. As you engage in your end-of-year tax planning, please consider writing a check to the Center for Group Studies. Your generosity will help us expand our programming, provide needed scholarships and earn you a tax deduction.

Past Newsletters

Summer 2008 Newsletter Update

Fall 2006 Newsletter Update

Summer 2006 Newsletter Update

Winter 2005-2006 Newsletter Update

Fall 2005 Newsletter Update