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Mid-Atlantic Group Psychotherapy Society

The Mid-Atlantic Group Psychotherapy Society (MAGPS) is a regional affiliate of the American Group Psychotherapy Association that serves group therapists in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

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Safe Environment Policy

While groups of any size can be powerful and informative learning tools, challenging dynamics may emerge that feel stressful and have the potential to cause harm.  

Specific to MAGPS group experiences, you may:

  • be exposed to narratives that feel emotionally triggering, 
  • be required to address or respond to microaggressions, 
  • be called upon to examine power and privilege dynamics, 
  • have to manage ruptures with colleagues, and/or, 
  • to the degree possible, be involved in restoring or repairing such relational ruptures.

MAGPS experiences have also been known to harm colleagues (particularly those who represent marginalized identities) in the past.  Because of this, we encourage you to read the MAGPS Safe Environment Policy (see below), as well as the recommendations by the AGPA outlined in AGPA Guidelines for Creating Affirming Group Experiences. We hope that these readings will better prepare our attendees for MAGPS conference weekends. 

If you have hesitation about your ability to incorporate what has been endorsed in the Safe Environment Policy or identified by the AGPA DEI Task Force, we ask that you reach out to the ARC for additional tools or suggestions on how you may feel better prepared.

MAGPS Safe Environment CONDUCT Policy
(adapted from AGPA)

Purpose

The Mid-Atlantic Group Psychotherapy Society (MAGPS) aims to be inclusive of all its event participants, who represent many varied and diverse backgrounds.  As such, we are committed to providing a friendly, safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all, regardless of race, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, disability, age, socioeconomic status, appearance, or other personal characteristics.

The MAGPS Safe Environment Conduct Policy outlines our expectations for all participants of MAGPS experiences, as well as the consequences of “Unacceptable Behaviors,” as defined below.

"Participant" in this policy refers to anyone participating in any MAGPS activity, including staff, sponsors, contractors, vendors, exhibitors, venue staff, members, faculty, and all attendees at any official MAGPS-hosted event and/or unofficial social gatherings affiliated with MAGPS.

Expected Behavior

We expect all participants to abide by the MAGPS Safe Environment Conduct Policy by:

  • Promoting a safe environment and positive learning experience for everyone.
  • Exercising consideration and respect in their speech and actions.
  • Practicing consistent and genuine empathy by considering how their speech and actions impact and could unwittingly harm others.
  • Openness to feedback from fellow attendees, event leaders, and/or MAGPS leadership in response to reports of Unacceptable Behavior(s).

Unacceptable Behavior
 
Unacceptable Behaviors include intimidating, harassing, abusive, threatening, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning speech or actions by any participant at an MAGPS function, or MAGPS-related event, publicly, in small group experiences, and/or in one-on-one communications carried out in the context of an official or unofficial MAGPS event. Unacceptable Behaviors also include refusing to engage with the feedback that one is in violation of this policy.

If a participant engages in Unacceptable Behavior(s), MAGPS reserves the right to take any action MAGPS deems appropriate, including removal of the individual from the event without warning or refund, prohibition of an individual from attendance at future MAGPS activities, and/or notification of the individual's professional licensing board.

If You Are Subject To, or Witness Unacceptable Behavior(s)

If you are the recipient of, or witness to Unacceptable Behaviors as specified by the MAGPS Safe Environment Conduct Policy, please contact the event Ombuds, event Co-Chairs and/or the MAGPS President. A response protocol will be enacted to respond to your report.

All reports will be treated seriously and responded to promptly.

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