CGPF AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

The Canadian Group Psychotherapy Foundation (CGPF) aims to promote education, training, and research regarding group psychotherapy as an effective, economical, and transformative means of psychological treatment.  Established in 1992, the Foundation has established a base of funding through the generous donations of members of the Canadian Group Psychotherapy Association and other interested individuals.  That base has allowed for the development of a scholarship program that, albeit still in its infancy, has a bright future.  Details on the awards and scholarships currently available are presented below.  Regarding application reviews, a subcommittee of the Foundation will adjudicate all nominations and make recommendations to the Board of the Foundation, which will make the final decision(s).

Martin Fischer Training Award

The Martin Fischer Award was established with funding by Mrs. Beatrice Fischer as a memorial to her husband. Martin A. Fischer. M.D..  Dr. Fischer was the organizer and founding president of the Ontario Group Psychotherapy Association, principal precursor of the CGPA. The purpose of the Martin Fischer Award is to recognize and reward an outstanding Canadian trainee/student who is receiving training in group therapy from an established program. For example, the program may be a training institute of the Canadian Group Psychotherapy Association or a regular degree program in a university department.  The Award is available annually to one or more trainee/students. The current amount of the Award ranges between $500 – $1500, depending on the funds available to the CGPF for disbursement. The Award is to be used to defray expenses associated with attendance at the Annual Conference of the CGPA; winners are announced at the meeting.

Excellence in trainee/student performance can be demonstrated by:

1. Creation of a scholarly paper

2. Documentation of exemplary clinical achievements

3. Documentation of exemplary research achievements

For example, a trainee/student may have done an excellent job of recruiting patients, selecting patients, preparing patients, treating patients, managing difficult patients, dealing with problems such as dropouts or departure of a co-therapist, handling termination of patients or a therapy group, or facilitating and participating in a research study.

General Procedure:

A training program faculty member can submit a nomination and letter of support, which describes the basis for the nomination, to the Foundation at any time during the year. To be considered for a particular Annual Meeting of the CGPA, materials should be received at least several months in advance. The Annual Meeting is usually held in October.

Specific Procedures:

Paper:  If a paper is the basis of the nomination, three copies of the paper should accompany the letter of support.

Clinical achievement:  The trainee/student should submit a brief outline of the clinical achievement and also outline how the experience has enhanced his/her growth as a group therapist.

Research achievement:  In addition to submitting a copy of any research results, the trainee/student should submit a brief description of how the research will further the field of group therapy.

The Jackman Training Awards

CGPF Endowments Conference Scholarships

The CGPF has been able to move toward maturity through receipt of charitable donations, some very generous indeed.  Beginning in 2008, the Foundation has supported four annual conference scholarships in the name of four important endowments.  One scholarship is associated with the Fischer endowment, another with the Jackman endowment.  The Jackman Foundation also contributed to an endowment in the name of William Powles, a noted contributor to the group therapy field in North America through his efforts in clinical work, education and training, and research; the Powles endowment also supports a scholarship.  The fourth scholarship is based on an endowment by the Milton and Ethel Harris Foundation on behalf of a grateful former member of a therapy group.

The conference scholarships are available to trainees in group psychotherapy in a CGPA-accredited training program or academic degree program.  Each scholarship is to be used to attend the annual CGPA conference.  Applicants are reviewed in terms of training background, work experience, perspective on development of group therapy practice, and “intangibles” associated with the individual’s life experience.

Application procedure: Applicants should submit a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, and a letter of support from a respected mentor (e.g., faculty, clinical supervisor, employer) of the applicant’s development as a group therapist.  Application materials should be received at least three months in advance of the next CGPA meeting, i.e., by July of each year.

For further information on where to direct submissions in a given year, contact Anthony Joyce, Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Group Psychotherapy Foundation (ajoyce@shaw.ca).