Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

SIGs are Special Interest Groups established by AGPA for mental health professionals who share a common interest in a specific area of group psychotherapy and/or group interventions. SIGs allow like-minded group psychotherapists to share ideas and strengthen their knowledge through interaction with their colleagues. SIGs vary in content, structure and activity level, but each is open to all interested members. Throughout the year SIG members have the opportunity to participate in a listserv and other educational activities. You can join a SIG in the membership portal by selecting My Membership Overview and selecting "Update Your SIG Selections."

SIG Task Force

The SIG Task Force promotes the development of SIGs and provides a forum for supporting SIG activities.  

For information contact the Co-Chairs:

Joeleen Cooper-Bhatia, PhD, CGP
Auburn Univ Student Counseling Svcs
400 Lem Morrison Dr #2086
Auburn University, AL 36849
Office: (334) 844-5123
Email: [email protected]

Elizabeth Driscoll, MA, LPC 
1244 Pine St
Boulder, CO 80302-4809
Office: (630) 650-3173
Email: [email protected]

Addiction and Recovery SIG

Provides a forum for those with an interest and expertise in utilizing group methods for the treatment, healing process and recovery of addictions. 

Co-Chairs:

Gregory Greer, MSW, LAC, CGP
208 Cole Ave
Monroe, LA 71291
Office: (318) 366-2553
Email: [email protected]

Barney Straus, MSW, MA, PCGC, CGP, AGPA-F
1025 Hinman Ave.
Evanston, IL 60202-1318
Office: (847) 942-2080
Email: [email protected]

Rivkah Lapidus, PhD, LMHC, CGP
44 Kidder Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2010
Office: (617) 666-2110
Email: [email protected]

Children and Adolescents SIG

Provides a focal point for clinicians treating children and adolescents, furthers training standards, and compiles educational resources.

Co-Chairs:

Thomas K. Hurster, MSS, CGP, AGPA-F
26 Summit Grove Ave
Ste 213- The Wilson Bldg
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Office: (610) 525-5030
Email: [email protected]

Eleni Kanellopoulou, PhD
34 Kallidromiou Street
Exarcheia
Athens, Greece 11473
Office: 306946780081
Email: [email protected] 

Zachary J. Thieneman, PsyD, CGP
Louisville, KY
Office: (502) 409-4204
Email: [email protected]

College Counseling and Other Educational SIG

Focuses on applying group therapy theory to counseling settings; developing positive communication within the school community; building trust between academic and non-academic personnel, and developing and carrying out research projects using group dynamics and group therapy constructs.

Co-Chairs:

Kristina Hansen, PhD, CGP
1500 WSC
Provo, UT 84602-7924
Office: (801) 422-3035
Email: [email protected]

Markie Silverman, PhD, LP
Michigan State University, 463 East Circle Drive
East Lansing, MI 48824
Office: (517) 355-8270
Email: [email protected]

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Identities SIG

The SIGGLBTQ is a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ therapists and anyone interested in better understanding the LGBTQ population. The SIG provides programming, networking, and social events.

Co-Chairs:

Samantha Ardoin, LPCC
4915 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80216
Office: (571) 420-2864
Email: [email protected]

Charles Zeng, MA, LMFT, LPCC, CGP
595 E Colorado Blvd, Ste 501
Pasadena, CA 91101
Office: (206) 334-5555
Email: [email protected]

Katherine M. Zwick, MA, LPCC, C-DBT, CGP
104 Walnut Ave Ste 200
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-3929
(831) 275-5481
Email: [email protected]

Groups in Private Practice SIG

Explores issues relevant to establishing and maintaining a private practice of group therapy.

Co-Chairs:

Jill Lewis, MSW, LCSW, CEDS, CGP
2751 Buford Hwy NE Ste 707
Atlanta, GA 30324
Office: (347) 563-5736
Email: [email protected]

Francois Williams, MD
1255 22nd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Office: (214) 789-2109
Email: [email protected]

Lisa Wolcott, LCSW, CGP
2830 NW 41st Street Suite J
Gainesville, FL 32606
Office: (352) 363-1998
Email: [email protected]

Group Training and Supervision SIG

Supports the work of individuals involved in the training and supervision of group leaders. Our goal is to help with the dissemination of resources, including helping bridge the gap between science and practice, and to create a forum of support for individuals working to promote the practice of group psychotherapy within their respective settings.

Co-Chairs:

Meenakshi Denduluri, MD
25 E. Washington St, Ste 1805
Chicago, IL 60602
Office: (312) 782-5959
Email: [email protected]

Stacy J. Graves, PhD, CGP
200 W Mercer St
Seattle, WA 98119
Office: 
Email: [email protected]

Health and Medical Issues SIG

Supports group therapists who address health concerns in medical and non-medical settings, provide psychological treatment to the medically ill, and incorporate wellness techniques into their group work such as meditation, mindfulness. 

Co-Chairs:

International Relations SIG

The mission of the International Relations SIG is to enhance the work of members in international settings, to serve as liaison to international organizations, and to encourage and enable members outside the USA to affiliate themselves with AGPA. Our goal is to increase the mental health resources available to professional groups throughout the world by participating in professional and scientific exchanges.

Co-Chairs:

Bojun Hu, Ph.D.
Beijing United Family Hospital
 9-11 West Jiangtai Road
Beijing, China
Office: 86-010-59277067 
Email: [email protected]

Jane J. Kyei, PsyD
P.O. Box CT 2990
Cantonments
Accra, Ghana
Office: (732) 372 5810
Email: [email protected]

Victoria Te You Moore, LCPC, CGP, AGPA-F
53 W Jackson Blvd
Ste 1360
Chicago, IL 60604
Office: 312-809-0652 x100
Email: [email protected]

Internet, Social Media and Technology SIG

Co-Chair:

Lindsey T. Randol, PsychD, LPC
2305 Cliffrose Ln
Louisville, CO 80027-1175
Office: (720) 537-0802
Email: [email protected]

Issues of Aging SIG

For those who are interested in Geriatric patients as well as those who are interested in issues of Aging, whether it be their own aging or involving the clients with whom they work.

Chair:

Jeffrey M. Price, LPC, LAC, CGP, AGPA-F
PO Box 530
Boulder, CO 80306-0530
Office: (303) 415-2766 x2
Email: [email protected]

Mental Health Agency and Institutional Settings SIG

Addresses the central role of Group Treatment in a variety of settings (i.e., inpatient, outpatient, rehabilitation programs, structured and other independent settings and systems) which serve a population of individuals with diverse mental health conditions and treatment needs over the course of their lifespan. It also addresses the need to promote and develop appropriate group modalities and training.

Co-Chairs:

Claudia Arlo, MSW, LCSW-R, ICADC, CGP, AGPA-F
330 West 58th Street, Suite 303
New York, NY 10019-1819
Office: (917) 575-0532
Email: [email protected]

Greg Crosby, MA, LPC, CGP, AGPA-F
417 Lake Bay Ct
Lake Oswego, OR 97034-3047
Office: (971) 300-5955
Email: [email protected]

Organizational Consulting SIG

Provides a home for members who have an interest in incorporating organizational consultation work into their professional repertoires. In this SIG we explore together how group dynamic principles support and enhance our work outside of the therapeutic setting in the context of organizations, companies, governmental agencies, and more.

Co-Chairs:

Melissa Cruz, MSS, LCSW
2550 Olinville Ave 7E
Bronx, NY 10467
Office: (917) 402-7357
Email: [email protected]

Ozge Kantas, PhD
238 Thorndyke Rd
Rochester, NY 14617
Office: (585) 201-2074
Email: [email protected]

Joseph E. Wise, MD, CGP
Brooklyn, NY 
Office: (301) 356-2188
Email: [email protected]

Psychiatry SIG

Not limited to psychiatrists, this SIG is for those who work in psychiatry departments, have training in psychiatry, or are interested in the application of group psychotherapy in the discipline of psychiatry.

Co-Chairs:

Seamus Bhatt-Mackin, MD, CGP
4205 Amesbury Ln
Durham, NC 27707
Office: (919) 765-0062
E-mail: [email protected]

Joseph E. Wise, MD, CGP
268 Henry Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Office: (301) 356-2188
Email: [email protected]

Amy J. Yang, MD
25 E Washington St Suite 1811
Chicago, IL 60602
Office: (773) 217-9266
Email: [email protected]

Racial and Ethnic Diversity SIG

The Racial and Ethnic Diversity (RED) SIG is charged with addressing the unique needs of historically racially and ethnically marginalized populations in the field of group psychotherapy.  This includes engaging members from these groups and others to dialogue about issues related to group psychotherapy and advocating for and encouraging participation in diverse group psychotherapy programming that promotes social justice and equity.

Co-Chairs

Shemika M. Brooks-Woods, PsyD, CGP, AGPA-F
Office: (410) 516-8278
Email: [email protected]

Robin Dean, PsyD, MSEd
1023 Kinne Street
East Syracuse, NY 13057
Office: (917) 860-8015
Email: [email protected]

Joshua DeSilva, PsyD, CGP
1922 F Street, NW Ste 100
Washington, DC 20052
Office: (816) 500-0860
Email: [email protected]

Vincent Malik Dehili, PhD, CGP
Office: (813) 816-2766
Email: [email protected]

Research SIG

For those interested in stimulating, conducting, or furthering their understanding of research in the field of group psychotherapy.

Co-Chair:

Joseph R. Miles, PhD
410C Austin Peay, 1404 Circle Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
Office: (865) 974-4183
Email: [email protected]

 Women in Group Psychotherapy SIG

To increase knowledge of the influence of gender on group life and to develop structures within the AGPA to support women who are interested in group therapy and research.

Co-Chairs:

Carmen Burlingame, MA, MPA, MSW, LSW
Mishawaka, IN 46545
Office: (269) 953-0116
Email: [email protected]

Rachelle Rene, PhD, BCB, HSM, CGP, AGPA-F
P.O. Box 16259
San Diego, CA 92176-6259
Office: (858) 212-4330
Email: [email protected]

Irina Rivera, PhD
714 W Briar Pl
Chicago, IL 60657
Office: (310) 722-9759
Email: [email protected]