CGPA Conference Tuesday, October 29

1. Participants will have a better understanding of how the process of introspection with an awareness of countertransference can enrich group leadership.
2. Participants will increase their awareness of different dimensions of self, using an attachment lens as a guide.
3. Participants will have the opportunity to build on their knowledge of self to create conditions for effective group leadership. The dimensions of blind spots, self-disclosure, and receiving feedback will be explored as a means of using personal insight to better understand one’s attachment style.

1. Experience the benefits and risks of getting out of a chair to interact with others
2. Understand principles to guide the adaptation of activities
3. Feel comfortable and inspired to try out some new activities in their own groups

Dawn McBride, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Lethbridge, Provisional Psychologist and Ethics Examiner, College of Alberta Psychologists, Lethbridge, AB,

Learn ways to refine and enhance your group therapy notes so they are efficient, ethical, and succinct. We will examine strategies to write useful notes in under 5 minutes! The focus is on Canadian ethics for psychologists/registered counsellors – however the material generalizes to all group therapists. Extensive handout package.

Learning Goals and Objectives:

1. State the rationale for the paradigm shift in how we document our work with clients.
2. Describe at least 3 strategies that support:  “write smarter – not longer – group therapy session notes”
3. Identify the purpose of group session notes
4. List at least 5 topics to include in session notes -while taking great care to protect clients’ privacy and dignity, now and into the future.
5. Examine the strengths and weaknesses at least one template for completing succinct session/contact notes in under 5 minutes!.
6. List at least 3 questions to ask in every group session – to help complete group session notes in less than 5 mins

Allen Sheps, MSW, Private Practice, Allan Sheps Prof SW Corporation, Thornhill, ON,

Our emotional reactions to our group members inevitably influence our therapeutic interventions.  Some reactions we notice, while others remain elusively outside our conscious awareness. By broadening our understanding of our reactions and impulses, we are better able to facilitate our groups.  Following a brief overview of current theory, a series of experiential exercises and a fish bowl will help participants\ gain insight into their countertransferencial patterns.  We will then explore how this awareness information can be used in our groups.

Learning Goals and Objectives:

1. Participants will understand current theory of counter-transference as presented in the group therapy literature.
2. Participants will have an increased awareness of their own counter-transference issues.
3. Participants will be better able to use their understanding of their counter-transference  responses to serve the needs of the group.

Aida Cabecinha, OT Reg. (Ont.), Dip. FCGPA , Registered Occupational Therapist, Private Practice in Psychotherapy, Co-Director Toronto Institute of Group Studies, Toronto, ON,

Groups are living human systems that have the potential to promote health and well being. Participants in the group training workshop will learn how to activate  group properties, therapeutic factors and group dynamics that cultivate safety, connection and belonging, essential ingredients for wellness.

Learning Goals and Objectives:

1. Participants will describe the properties and group dynamics common to all groups.
2. Participants will identify the therapeutic factors in group therapy that promote health and well being.
3. Participants will explain the leadership roles that facilitate a safe and healing group process

Jacqueline Kinley, MD, Air Institutes, Halifax, NS,

Relationships can be a source of stress at work, contributing to psychological distress and injury. Group processes can be applied in corporate settings to build team and organizational resilience, health and safety. In this workshop participants will learn how to leverage group techniques to promote psychological health and safety at work, and extend the traditional reach of groups

Learning Goals and Objectives:

1. Define resilience
2. Identify resilience behaviours at work
3. Utilize an Air exchange to accelerate discussion and learning
4. Describe how resilience relates to psychological health and safety
5. Articulate how Air bubbles can help guild the development of emotional and social skills
6. Describe techniques to evaluate training effectiveness from clinical to organizational  settings.

Karen Shin, MD, Medical Director of the Ambulatory Mental Health Service, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Hricha Rakshit, Occupational Therapist, Group Therapy Facilitator, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON

This workshop will focus on advanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy skills for treating clients with trans-diagnostic psychotic symptoms in a group format.  Often the management of clients with psychotic symptoms can focus exclusively on medications and create difficult therapeutic interactions.  Obtaining skills in CBTp creates another type of  therapeutic interaction with clients, and develops additional skills for addressing symptoms.

Learning Goals and Objectives:

1. Understand the concepts and delivery of group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp)
2. Learn and practice different CBTp skills and techniques that can be incorporated into clinical work
3. Develop techniques to manage group dynamics and improve client engagement in group CBTp

1. Gain greater clarity and understanding of mindfulness-based practices and how they can be used to enhance therapeutic outcomes
2. Have the opportunity to engage in experiential mindfulness exercises and reflect on this experience during the workshop
3. Reflect on how they may cultivate mindfulness practices of their own and incorporate mindfulness-based interventions into their clinical work