Group Dynamics Dispatch

In this episode, Angelo talks with Dr. Carlos Canales about his transformative journey from Peru to becoming a pioneering voice in somatic group therapy. Dr. Canales shares how his experience of separation and cultural displacement in early life shaped his innovative integration of Somatic Experiencing with group psychotherapy. Their conversation explores what it means to be truly grounded, how ou...

In this episode, Angelo talks with Dr. Nancy McWilliams about her new book "Psychoanalytic Supervision" (2022). Drawing from over 40 years of leading supervision groups, Dr. McWilliams shares her revolutionary approach to tracking therapeutic progress through ten "psychological vital signs"—a hopeful reframe that asks not just "Are they less depressed?" but "Are they more alive? More capable of lo...

In this episode, Angelo talks with Annie Weiss and Yoon Kane who, along with Saralyn Masselink, edited and contributed chapters to “Women, Intersectionality, and Power in Group Psychotherapy Leadership” (2022, Routledge). Their conversation explores how this project sought to address the conspicuous void in professional literature on the complex challenges women group leaders face and how such dil...

In this thought-provoking interview, Angelo talks with Dr. Macario Giraldo about his pioneering approach to working with groups from a Lacanian perspective. Their conversation delves into the importance of not-understanding, the role of loss in becoming, and how to listen to both the dialogues "in" and "of" the group. They also explore the intriguing interplay between psychoanalysis & spirituality...

In this episode, Angelo talks with Dr. Avgi Saketopoulou about her new book "Sexuality Beyond Consent: Risk, Race, & Traumatophilia"(2023). Their dynamic conversation explores new ways of thinking about trauma, its potentiating role in psychic life, the radicality of Jean Laplanche, and what it means to 'bend one's will', They also talk about how trauma intersects with eroticism, race, and forms o...

In this episode, Angelo speaks with IAGP Pres. Richard Beck about his experience leading trauma groups across countries and cultures. They explore how group is currently being used to provide support to both Ukrainians and Russians as well as with climate scientists. They also talk about the international community within the IAGP and the upcoming conference in Pescara, Italy (July 21 - 24). "Grou...

In this episode, Angelo speaks with Dr. Richard Billow & Dr. Tzachi Slonim about their new book "Changing Our Minds: Richard M. Billow's Selected Papers On Psychoanalysis And Group Process." Their lively conversation explores themes related to authenticity in the group leader, passion & 'catastrophic change', working with guilt & shame, and interaction as a gateway to uncovering. Check out it out...

In this episode, Angelo talks with Qiana Torres Flores about the intersection of cultural intentionality and spirituality in groups. The Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity at FCGPS, Qiana shares what it means to have a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds and how leaders can help their groups talk about difference. She also explores the “crunchy conversations” and hard questio...

In this episode, Angelo speaks with Dr. Elliot Zeisel about his process of becoming a group therapist as well as his recent work with the dramatic series "Group" . Their dynamic conversation explores some of the obstacles Dr. Zeisel encountered in his career and the mentors who helped him navigate them. They also talk about some of the synchronicities that lead to his collaboration with French dir...

In the newest episode of the Group Dynamics Dispatch, Angelo speaks with therapist and author Teri Dillion about her experience living and learning from ALS. Their moving conversation explores the nature of grief and the powerful life lessons that it reveals when met with companionship, witnessing, and a healthy dose of humor. Teri also shares the profound & sustaining meaning that emerged from wr...

In the newest episode, Angelo speaks with Dr. Ronnie Levine about the key questions and insights that have animated her career over 35 years. Their lively conversation explores Dr. Levine’s early influences, her fascination with primitive emotional communication, and ‘the endless possibilities’ that come with having all of our feelings. They also talk about her perspective as a group analyst on th...

In the newest episode of The Group Dynamics Dispatch, Angelo speaks with Dr. Maria Riva, the upcoming keynote presenter at the FCGPS conference ‘The Stories Within: Working With Unspoken Material In Group Psychotherapy”. Dr. Riva shares her passion for teaching the next generation of group leaders in her role as Training Director for University Of Denver’s Counseling Psychology Program. This rich...

In the newest episode of The Group Dynamics Dispatch, Angelo speaks with Dr. Aaron Black about how attachment theory enables group leaders to make interventions that are developmentally attuned and informed. This wide-ranging interview explores some of the most engaging topics discussed in the field today; from the nature of insecure self-states and the attachment background of the therapist to th...

In the newest Group Dynamics Dispatch podcast, Angelo speaks with Dr. Larry Mortazavi about his perspective and approach running psychoanalytic process groups. Covering a wide range of topics, from the use of interpretation in groups to playful exercises for developing cohesion, this interview is as engaging as it is informative. Give it a listen today! LINKS: organization: FCGPS.org host: angeloc...

In the newest episode of the Group Dynamic’s Dispatch Angelo talks with Dr. Marcée Turner, the upcoming keynote speaker for the FCGPS Conference. If you are interested in learning ways of appreciating and addressing issues of difference in your groups, this conversation is a must! The interview focuses on progressive ways we can facilitate dialogue as group leaders, subverting myths that perpetuat...

In the newest episode of the Group Dynamics Dispatch, Angelo talks with Dr. Brian Rothberg, he is the Director of the UCHealth Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic and a member of the department of psychiatry. This compelling and informative interview spans a variety of important topics including current trends in using experiential group learning to train psychiatrists, applying a group lens to organizat...

In this landmark interview, FCGPS’s Angelo Ciliberti speaks with the perennial Dr. Irvin Yalom about his 50 year spanning career as a group psychotherapist, writer, and mentor to generations of mental health practitioners. Their conversation explores what it is about the group experience that has engaged him for so many years, the unique opportunity it presents for addressing existential issues, a...

In this episode of The Group Dynamics Dispatch, Angelo talks with Dr. Jason Seidel from the Colorado Center For Clinical Excellence. This wide-ranging interview explores the ways in which Dr. Seidel’s group leadership has been influenced by personal clinical experience, the psychodrama exercises of the men’s movement, and the development feedback informed treatment.

In the newest episode of The Group Dynamics Dispatch, Angelo interviews Jordan Price, a psychotherapist and group analyst from Austin. The interview explores how Jordan’s keen interest in the realm of the pre-verbal, implicit experiences influences his work as a clinician. Additional topics include how he draws on his experience as a musician and bow-hunter to appreciate and engage different ways...

In the newest episode of The Group Dynamics Dispatch, Angelo talks with Dr. Robert Pepper about his new book ‘Some People Don’t Want What They Say They Want - 100 Unconventional Interventions In Group Therapy.’ This engaging hour is filled with rich stories from Dr. Pepper’s 40 year career as well as exploratory dives into themes of working with ambivalence, aggression, guilt, and the ethical need...

In the newest episode of the Group Dynamics Dispatch, Angelo talks with Hilary Callan Curtis about how her overlapping training experiences in Contemplative Psychotherapy, Modern Analysis, and years of body practice have shaped her as a clinician and an agent of change. In preparation for their upcoming presentation together at the COGPS conference, they also discuss the unconscious drive towards...

In the newest episode of the Group Dynamics Dispatch, Jeff Price shares inspiring insights from his career as a contemplatively minded group psychotherapist. From addressing how he approach resistances in substance abuse groups to the power of AGPA as a professional home affiliation, Jeff offers helpful guidance to new group leaders. Check out this enlivening conversation with the former president...

Check out the Group Dynamic Dispatch’s newest episode with Dr. Lucy Holmes, this year’s Keynote Speaker at the COGPS Annual Conference! In this episode, Dr. Holmes and Angelo Ciliberti dive into a series of fascinating discussions; including the story behind her inspiring 40 year career, impressions of the group leader’s gender on the process, and how time & experience change us as clinicians. Lis...

In this in-depth interview with Sorin Thomas & Brett Adamek from Queer Asterisk, we explore difference of all kinds as something to be celebrated & encouraged rather than feared and rejected. Topics within the interview include what is meant by the word “queer”, the importance of being open to discomfort & ambiguity, the Contemplative dimension of identity, and working with queer-ness as a group l...

Join us this week on the Group Dynamics Dispatch for a conversation with Jenna Noah. Jenna tells us how she found her niche in the therapy field while discussing sexuality, embodiment, and Conscious Burlesque.