CERTIFIED GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPIST (CGP)

The Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) designation identifies you as a clinical mental health professional who meets nationally accepted criteria of education, training, and experience in group psychotherapy. The CGP attests that you are an expert in group psychotherapy, and an ethical practitioner who has met national standards for providing group psychotherapy.

As a CGP you will be included in the online directory used by the public to search for group psychotherapists, and by colleagues looking to refer for group psychotherapy in your geographical area. The CGP designation presents you to colleagues, consumers, and employers as having met the educational and experience standards to be certified in group psychotherapy.

The CGP registry has over 3000 members. Presenters and small group leaders at MAGPS will generally be found to have the CGP designation after their names, as will the members of the MAGPS Board of Directors. We encourage MAGPS members, and anyone else who is committed to the practice of group psychotherapy to work toward obtaining the CGP.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements include holding a minimum of a master’s degree in a clinical mental health (or related health) field, and the highest level state license in your discipline. In addition, one must have completed 12 clock hours of study in group psychotherapy, 300 hours of experience leading or co-leading groups, and 75 hours of group psychotherapy supervision (or 10 or more years of group therapy experience following completion of clinical training). One must also be covered by professional liability insurance.

Additional information about the CGP, as well as the complete set of eligibility criteria and all forms can be obtained at the AGPA website, www.AGPA.org.