About sagps

Who are we?

The San Antonio Group Psychotherapy Society is an affiliate of the American Group Psychotherapy Society, aiming to promote the highest standards in group psychotherapy in the San Antonio Area. We provide training and support to community group therapists through workshops, events, and special resources, continuing to promote a field which has aided those in need of therapy for the past fifty years.

As an affiliate of AGPA, we have adopted and fully support the following statement on inclusion:

AGPA Statement On Inclusion

July 2017

The American Group Psychotherapy Association is a professional association dedicated to the field of group psychotherapy. In light of a worsening climate for women, people of color, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ individuals, and other marginalized groups, as well as recent legislative action in Texas, the site of our upcoming Annual Meeting, the organization wishes to make the following statement.

We are an organization dedicated to disseminating knowledge of group psychotherapy principles, and with part of our mission being the provision of interventions and outreach to diverse communities nationally and internationally, AGPA draws upon those principles at the core of its organization to respond with alarm and humanitarian concern.

The group principles that define the American Group Psychotherapy Association include promoting dynamics of belonging, protecting the scapegoated, healing the wounds of exclusion, facilitating constructive dialogue, and maintaining physically/emotionally safe environments.  These principles apply for all regardless of nationality, ethnicity, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or cultural background.  Exercising these principles fosters groups that support healthy communities, reduced conflict/violence and basic human connection.

Clinical and organizational work demonstrates the power of groups to make a difference and foster healing.  Community groups, families and individuals are currently suffering from acute stress layered on top of chronic stressors due to misogyny, racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-refugee sentiments, transphobia, and homophobia. From a humanitarian and caregiver perspective, all people deserve relief from their collective suffering.  As promoters of group principles, it bears repeating that AGPA wishes to encourage actions that promote dynamics of belonging, protect the scapegoated, heal the wounds of exclusion, facilitate constructive dialogue, and maintain physically/emotionally safe environments, while also encouraging dialogue among those with differing viewpoints.

As a community of professionals, we take pride in the diversity of our membership and welcome a broad spectrum of clinicians from a variety of racial, ethnic, sexual and gender identity, and national backgrounds.  We also acknowledge a range of opinions among our members, and hold those with the knowledge that communities thrive through a balance of common core beliefs and individual differences.  We offer our support to members of all communities who have been marginalized.  Please know you have many standing behind you and with you.

You can also access additional trauma information on the AGPA website at Group Interventions for Trauma.This statement approved by the Association was developed by the AGPA Community Outreach Task Force,

Members At Large