NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
The AAGP is currently conducting a National Training Program in Group Psychotherapy.
Director of Training Dr Peter Hengstberger phengstberger@hotmail.com
Training Committee:
Margot Solomon margotps@mac.com
Anel Grobler anel.grobler@gmail.com
Rob Gordon rgordon@bigpond.net.au
Pia Hirsch piahirsch@icloud.com
Training in Group-Analytic Psychotherapy through AAGP
Group Analysis is “a form of psychotherapy by the group, of the group, including the conductor” (Foulkes, 1975/1986, p.3)
Group Analysis provides the opportunity for group members to explore and analyse their individual and our collective familiar yet unseen behaviours, thoughts and feelings through free floating discussion. Central to group analytic thinking is the idea that humans are inherently social; the implication being that any individual cannot be thought about without considering the context in which they live.
Prerequisites
- A clinical degree within health or allied professions.
- Current or recent work in health and/or other relevant clinical settings that allows them to run therapy groups.
- Professional indemnity insurance.
- Registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Authority (AHPRA) or other appropriate professional registration body (for example- in Aotearoa New Zealand). This enables independent practice, and the expectation of adherence to their code of ethics and guidelines for responsible practice.
What’s involved
- A Foundational Course
- Intermediate Course 1
- Intermediate Course 2
- Qualifying Course.
Each Course includes
- 5 block weekend seminars, 3 in person and 2 online. When in person the location will rotate.
- Weekly Group Psychotherapy (in person or online) • Weekly Group Supervision (in person or online)
- Attendance at AAGP conferences, large groups & other online opportunities.
- Conducting a supervised therapy group for the duration of the training.
Requirements
- Weekly study group of 1 ½ hours conducted online via zoom and annual attendance in person at a weekend block training. The location will rotate.
- Weekly Group Psychotherapy (in person or online)
- Weekly Group Supervision (in person or online)
- Encouragement to attend AAGP conferences, large groups & other online opportunities
Fees
The fee for the theoretical training is $7,000 per year, as at 2025. This covers the 5 annual block weekend fees, Large Group fees and a reduction in the AAGP conference fees, as well as access to the journal Group Analysis.
The fees are reviewed annually.
The cost of individual group psychotherapy, and group supervision, is not covered by the fee and needs to be negotiated individually with relevant practitioners.
The demands of this training programme are significant, and the rewards, for those interested in the mind and how we all function in groups, are great.
Contact: Dr Peter Hengstberger at phengstberger@me.com
Anel Grobler at anel.grobler@gmail.com
For details about the process of application please click here
