Group center

What follows are some highlights of the past year and a glimpse of what we are planning for the immediate future. Please look for an expanded newsletter this fall.

We were honored to receive the Award for Outstanding Contributions in Education and Training in the Field of Group Psychotherapy. This award was presented by the National Registry of Group Psychotherapists of the American Group Psychotherapy Association at its annual convention in this past February. Many CGS faculty, graduates and students were in attendance to share this prestigious moment. Barry Wepman, Co-Chair, Clinical Professional Relations Committee wrote in the AGPA publication, The Group Circle, (Spring 2008), “Clearly, the Center for Group Studies is a treasured program. Its work has been creative, innovative, and far-reaching. It has had a profound impact in our field and beyond. The Center for Group Studies was cited for its diversity in student body, attracting students from throughout the United States and other countries including, Canada, Germany, Korea, Mexico and Switzerland.

This spring, CGS facilitators David Dumais and Deborah Erickson accompanied program developer and faculty member Harold Stern to St. Petersburg. We initiated a second round of training at the request of these Russian professionals. Over 30 participants in the mental health field including psychiatrists and psychologists attended an intensive three day training consisting of workshops, process groups and supervision groups. This wonderful intercultural program follows the model of our Weekend Training Program where students attend three weekends a year for three years. At the end of the three years, the members will join with the New York weekend participants and a graduation ceremony will be held.

Our local fall courses are ready to go! We are offering classes for incoming students and classes for those continuing into their second year. Supervision is open to all students and members of the professional community. New grads and CASACs are encouraged to study with us and are eligible to receive reduced tuition. Some scholarships might also be available.

The Weekend Training Program will have its first weekend of the 2008-2009 year on October 24-26, 2008. The theme of this upcoming weekend is Working with Unconscious Material: Dreams, Symbolic and Non-verbal Communications. Process group leaders are Lucy Holmes and Martha Gunzburg.

In Memoriam

The Center for Group Studies mourns the passing of two friends and colleagues.

Toby Chuah Feinson passed away on May 5 after a tragic accident. Toby was a founder, and former faculty member of the GroupCenter. She, along with Elliot Zeisel was Co-Director of Administration when the Center for the Advancement of Group Studies, (CGS) was formed in 1989. Much of our infrastructure, policies and procedures emerged from her expansive vision. Toby was a dedicated educator and was instrumental in bringing group process into the NYC public schools after the events of 9/11. Her support and encouragement made her a dear friend and colleague and she will be missed

James Morrell passed away suddenly on August 1. Jim was a founder and developer of CGS. He was an esteemed member of our faculty, a gifted teacher and skilled clinician whose gentle kindness touched the core of all those he came in contact with. Jim’s warm laugh and warmth will be missed.

Jim’s wife, Katherine, will be planning a memorial service in NY sometime this fall.

Our deepest condolences go out to the families.