The International Board for Certification of Group Psychotherapists certifies group psychotherapists according to nationally and internationally accepted criteria and promotes these practitioners and criteria to other mental health professionals, employers, insurers, educators and clients as maintaining the highest standards for group psychotherapy practice and quality care.
The International Board for Certification of Group Psychotherapists establishes professional standards in the practice of group psychotherapy by certifying individual practitioners. This act clearly legitimizes group psychotherapists along internationally accepted criteria and ensures that group practice is recognized as an autonomous treatment modality. Since its inception we have certified over 3,000 group therapists. Group is a modality practiced by many mental health disciplines and the Certification Board currently accepts twelve professions as having met the education, experience and licensing criteria. Presently, these professionals are: Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, Clinical Mental Health Counselors, Creative Arts Therapists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Pastoral Counselors, Psychiatrists, Psychoanalysts, Psychologists, School Psychologists and Social Workers.
The Certification Board has also published many teaching curricula on various themes of group psychotherapy that can be purchased on this website. Additionally, the Certification Board annually selects the Harold S. Bernard Training Award recipient recognizing institutions and individuals who provide outstanding contributions in education and training in the field of group psychotherapy. For those interested in becoming a CGP we offer a mentorship program where you will be assigned to a Board Member who will guide you through the process and provide you support in this endeavor. For more information please visit our website pages or contact the AGPA office.