Welcome to CGPA

The Canadian Group Psychotherapy Association (CGPA) is a vibrant multidisciplinary association of group psychotherapists who work together to foster and provide education and training for mental health professionals in group psychotherapy across Canada. Furthermore, CGPA aims to encourage research in group psychotherapy; to set national standards for quality in training, practice and research; and to gather together Canadian group psychotherapists from various disciplines in a spirit of professional development and mutual learning.

CGPA Toll-Free Number: 1-877-221-9011

President’s Message 

December 1, 2011

Greetings to all CGPA members!

I am very excited to introduce myself as the President of CGPA and look forward to serving you. I am committed to revitalizing the CGPA and building a sustainable National Association. As you may be aware, CGPA has been engaged this past year in a major review of all of our structures and processes. This was done the assistance of Endeavour non-profit consultants (www.Endeavour.ca.) This important process was initiated to address the fact that like many not profits organizations in Canada we’ve been facing several challenges to our sustainability, including declining membership and inactivity of local sections. We sought the help the Endeavour team and they helped to guide us through an exciting strategic planning process that has given us renewed energy and clarity of purpose. Their full report is available for your review on our website (www.cgpa.ca)

I am committed to expanding our national presence and improving our local relevance.  I aim to strengthen our National Board and am interested in building new partnerships and developing opportunities for collaboration. As we move forward, we will need to hold in our awareness our core beliefs, which include an expanded awareness of the possibilities that lie ahead, recognizing the application of group processes as existing on a continuum, ranging from clinical to non-clinical, structured to unstructured, and traditional to non-traditional. We have already taken steps to move forward with the hard work done already by our members and complete the development of our National Training Program.

In addition, as we advocate and lobby for an expanded role for group programming and services, we are hoping to expand our interest and capacity in clinical research. We aim to the highlight the effectiveness of group and the importance of an evidence based approach to treatment. I truly believe our National Association can, and will, play a  central role in shaping our health care system in the future and  provide guidance which is of critical social importance as we work  together to create a vital and sustainable future for our members  and the communities we serve.

Finally, I am humbled by, indebted to, and inspired by the commitment and hard work of our Past President: “The time for group is now!” – Terry Simonik.  On behalf of the CGPA, I extend to her our sincerest thanks and gratitude.   I look forward to meeting you all personally at our National Conference in Ottawa – Groups: Healthy Living Systems, in May of 2012. I think it is both fitting and symbolic that our 33rd Annual conference be held in our Nation’s capital!

 

Respectfully submitted,
Jackie Kinley MD

CGPA thanks Endeavour Volunteer Consulting for Non-Profits.

www.endeavourvolunteer.ca