Division 49 Institute Update
Stacy Graves Ph.D.
The Division 49 Institute participants had a great opportunity to network and connect with other Institute participants at the 2024 APA Convention. All Institute participants receive travel funding to APA Convention for group-related projects. The Institute is a great opportunity to support fellow group therapists in culturally sensitive professional development. We hope you’ll consider joining our initiative!
Our goal is to build a network of support for future leaders who will raise awareness and attention around the intersectionality between BIPOC identities and group psychology and psychotherapy. An important part of these efforts is connecting students and ECP members to mentors in the field. Mentors meet periodically with mentees and share experiences, knowledge, and support over the two year period.
Benefits of Institute participation for students and ECPs:
- Community check-ins, centered collaborative work, and support for clinical and research activities.
- Fostering connection with senior members with focus on assisting students/ ECPs with career goals
- Be able to attend specialized educational trainings and meetings.
- Support and engage in discussions for clinicians who identify in an underrepresented cultural or racial group.
- 2-year membership to Division 49
- Scholarship funding opportunities to attend the APA annual convention.
- Support for research projects and presentations.
Components of the Institute:
- Participate in the leadership training concurrent with the Division 49 Mid-Winter meeting.
- Observe portions of the Executive Board (EB) meeting and participate in joint activities with EB members.
- Design and conduct a project that contributes to increasing awareness of issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in group psychology and group psychotherapy.
- Participate in leadership activities and events at the 2025 APA Convention.
- Present the results of leadership projects at the 2025 APA Convention.
The Leadership Institute is designed to help participants:
- Understand the structure and function of leadership positions in Division 49.
- Conceptualize and implement a project to be completed and presented at the APA convention.
- Network and develop working relationships with Division 49.
- Describe basic APA governance and how to seek leadership positions in APA.
- Reflect and raise one’s own awareness of issues related to diversity and social justice.
- Develop skills to continuously engage in cultural humility.
If you are interested in serving as a mentor or would like to apply as a student or ECP participant, please click on this link to reply to Stacy Graves. The application process, for both mentors and mentees is simple and designed to facilitate a mentor match, based on the applicants goals and experiences. I’m happy to provide additional information and answer any questions!
Thank you for considering!
Division 49 Board and Institute Subcommittee