Online Training Process Groups for Therapists: A Proposed Model

ABSTRACT

The article proposes a new model for online experiential training groups for therapists. Experiential groups are an essential part of training for group therapists. The article summarizes the requirements for becoming a group therapist, reviews the literature about training-process groups for therapists, and discusses the dilemmas that are part of these groups. Ethical questions and the difference between training-process groups and therapy groups are presented. This training model uses weekly online process group sessions that include a 10-minute didactic discussion at the end of each session, combined with an annual in-person intensive meeting. Group vignettes are included to illustrate group processes. The advantages and disadvantages of the model are discussed, as well as important areas for future research.

Acknowledgment

I want to thank Dr. Martha Gilmore and Dr. Carlos Canales for their reading and commenting on this article. I want to thank all the members of my online training process groups for therapists. Without them, this article would not have been written.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

¹ The case is taken with permission from Weinberg (2020b).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Haim Weinberg

Haim Weinberg is a licensed psychologist, group analyst, and certified group psychotherapist in private practice in Sacramento, CA.