Education and training guidelines for group psychology and group psychotherapy.

Abstract

Specialization requires evidence that a distinct set of competencies are met, and these are usually gained through generally prescribed education and training components and experiences. Group psychology and group psychotherapy specialists must be knowledgeable about groups and have skills related to working with groups. They must acquire this knowledge and skill through training experiences that meet consistent and defined standards across the field of psychology. In this article, we present the rationale for group psychology and group psychotherapy as a specialty’s recognition as a specialty and the specialized education and training guidelines that guide the development of training for the specialty. Also presented are how training programs can incorporate and apply the guidelines and adhere to the levels for the specialty’s taxonomy. Last, we articulate the value of framing specialist development in alignment with the established education and training guidelines for professional psychologists.