Core Program References

Texts:
Corey, G., Corey, M.S., & Corey C., (2017) Groups: Process and Practice (10th ed.)  Brooks/Cole Publishers.

Dana, D. (2018) The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

Gantt, S.P., & Agazarian, Y.M. (Eds.) (2006). Systems-centered therapy: In clinical practice with individuals, families and groups. Livermore, CA: WingSpan Press. Reprint (2011). London, UK: Karnac Books.

Gantt, S.P. & Badenoch, B. (Eds.) (2013). The Interpersonal Neurobiology of Group Psychotherapy and Group Process. Routledge.

Mackenzie, K. R. (1990) Introduction to Time Limited Psychotherapy. Washington: American Press.

Marmarosh, C.L., Markin, R.D. and Spiegel, E.B. (2013). Attachment in Group Psychotherapy. Washington: American Psychological Association.

Ormont, L.R. Edited by Furgeri, L.B. (2016). The Technique of Group Treatment: The Collected Papers of Louis R. Ormont, Ph.D. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

Porges, S. W. (2021) Polyvagal Safety: Attachment, Communication, Self-regulation. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

Rutan, J.S., Stone, W.N., and Shay J. (2014) Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy (5th ed.). New York: Guilford Press.

Yalom, I.D. & Leszcz, M. (2020) The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy (6th ed.) New York: Basic Books.

Articles:
Counselman, E.F. (2008) Reader's Forum: Why Study Group Therapy? International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 58(2).

Joyce, A., Tasca, G., & Ogrodniczuk, J. (2015) Group Psychotherapy in Canada. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 65(4).

Lefforge, N.L., McLaughlin, S., Goates-Jones, M., Mejia, C. (2020) A Training Model for Addressing Micro-aggressions in Group Psychotherapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 70: 1-28.

Zaslav, M. (1988) A Model of Group Therapist Development. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 38(1).

Videos/Recordings:
Zeisel, E. You Tube video series, GROUP.

Systems Centered Training and Research Institute  You Tube Video,
The Edge of the Unknown 

You Tube Video, SCT- Seeing the System, Not Just People~  Commemorating the Work of Yvonne Agazarian 

CBC Ideas with Nahlah Ayed: The Value of Group Therapy, originally published December 18, 2023 with Psychiatrist Molyn leszcz and Scholar Jess Cotton

Following our Panel discussion on Polarization (link) with Drs. Susan Gantt, Willard Ashley and Molyn Leszcz last spring, we decided to continue to expand our focus on repairing ruptures in our academic offerings this year. In keeping with this theme, our fall/winter reading list reflects our collective explorations into the important and timely topic of rupture and repair. We were particularly curious about what happens after repair. During these uncertain times, we have found it extraordinarily helpful ~ and hopeful ~ to turn to our group theories, to each other, and to the creative arts for guidance and inspiration. When you get a chance, please check out our most recent newsletter (link) which explores our collective thoughts. 

Group Related:

Alexis D. Abernethy et. al (2014) Empathy in Group Therapy: Facilitating Resonant Chords, International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 64:4, 516-535.
Empathy is one of the essential elements necessary for repairing ruptures in group. This article explores empathy in group from Rogerian, Psychodynamic and Interpersonal perspectives.

Anthony Bateman et. al (2021) Rupture and Repair in Mentalization-Based Group Psychotherapy, International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 71:2, 371-392.
The authors examine the importance of experiencing rupture and repair as part of mentalization based group psychotherapy. They discuss how the capacity to consider another’s perspective, different from your own is a necessary part of repairing ruptures.

Aaron E. Black (2017) On Attacking and Being Attacked in Group Psychotherapy, International Journal of Group Psychotherapy , 67:3, 291-313.
This article examines the group leader’s capacity to tolerate and harness destructive exchanges in group to enhance therapeutic process and relational repair.

Susan P. Gantt (2021) Systems-Centered Theory (SCT) in Group Therapy: Beyond Surviving Ruptures to Repairing and Thriving. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 71:2, 224-252.
The process of repairing ruptures is examined using the SCT intervention of functional subgrouping and interventions aimed at weakening of past survival roles as they emerge in the here and now group experience.

Ronnie Levine (2023) Finding Your Self in Group, International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 73:4, 312-320.
This 2023 Keynote address given at AGPA explores the impact of the collective traumas that we have been experiencing, specifically the hate that has permeated the social/political climate and how this is experienced in group. The author encourages us to develop ourselves in therapy/process group in order to contribute to repair and healing. 

Ronnie Levine (2007) Treating Idealized Hope and Hopelessness, International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 297-317. "Hope is understood as being derived from a sense of well–being or a good-object feeling. From object relational and self-psychology perspectives, the author examines variations of hope, from hopelessness through idealized and malignant idealized hope to mature hope. Looking at idealized hope from both progressive and regressive positions, the author studies a case that has a dominant feature of regressive or malignant idealized hope. How group therapy plays a transformational role in addressing the issue of malignant idealized hope and in establishing a healthy sense of hope is developed." (Abstract).

Podcast: Conversation with Dr. Ronnie Levine on The Group Dynamics Dispatch 
“In this conversation Ronnie Levine discusses 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. She also talks about her perspective as a group analyst on the 2016 election and some of her new ideas as she surveys the current political climate.” (Abstract).

Cheri L. Marmarosh (2021) Ruptures and Repairs in Group Psychotherapy: From Theory to Practice, International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 71:2, 205-223.
This article examines ruptures and repair as curative mechanisms in group. This is done through drawing on various group theories including mentalization and attachment-based groups, self-psychology, system-centered theory and interpersonal group psychotherapy frames.

Muran, J. C., Eubanks, C. F., & Samstag, L. W. (2023). Introduction: Rupture in a wicked and wonderful world. In C. F. Eubanks, L. W. Samstag, & J. C. Muran (Eds.), Rupture and repair in psychotherapy: A critical process for change (pp. 3–20). American Psychological Association.
“Rupture has been described in numerous ways over the years: from breaches, breakdowns, challenges, derailments, deteriorations, dissociations, disturbances, disruptions, dysfluencies, failures, impasses, misalliances, misattunements, miscoordinations, misunderstandings, negations, pulls, resistances, splits, strains, and threats to weakenings. Rupture also has been associated to such concepts as enactments, negative process, projective identification, transference-countertransference, and vicious circles or cycles. As a result, there is a good deal of latitude and too much confusion regarding what is meant by rupture. This introductory chapter presents a review of authors' efforts to study and define rupture and repair from over the past 3 decades.” (APA Abstract)

Tasca, G. A., & Marmarosh, C. (2023). Alliance rupture and repair in group psychotherapy. In C. F. Eubanks, L. W. Samstag, & J. C. Muran (Eds.), Rupture and repair in psychotherapy: A critical process for change (pp. 53–71). American Psychological Association.
“In this chapter the authors review the literature on alliance rupture and repair in group psychotherapy and present a running case example to illustrate the complexity of maintaining and managing the therapeutic alliance in group therapy. Unlike individual therapy, in which the main emphasis is on the relationship between the patient and the therapist, group therapy offers patients a sense of belonging to something bigger than themselves, a connection to fellow members in the group. Not only do patients develop relationships to the group members, they also develop an overall experience of the group environment, the group climate. Group cohesion, on the other hand, is the connection members have to fellow members, and cohesion has a long history within the field of group dynamics and group therapy. The chapter addresses the subject with regard to the complexity within the various group relationships, highlighting member-to-therapist, member-to-group, member-to-member, bystander, and coleader ruptures.” (APA Abstract).

Of Interest:

This week as we were finalizing our seasonal ‘reading’ list, CBC’s Nahlah Ayed hosted novelist and poet, Ian Williams, for the 2024 Massey Lectures on Ideas. “His five-part series confronts the deterioration of civic and civil discourse and asks us to reconsider the act of conversing as the sincere, open exchange of thoughts and feelings.” (CBC Ideas)
“At a time when we’re more connected than ever, why does it seem like we can barely talk to each other? In Williams’s series of lectures, the award-winning author and poet explores what makes a good conversation, and how to connect with strangers even when you disagree with them – leaving space to maybe even change your mind.” (CBC Ideas)  Listen Now. 

an excerpt from: St. Francis and the Sow
by Galway Kinnell
The bud
stands for all things,
even for those things that don’t flower,
for everything flowers, from within, of self-blessing;
though sometimes it is necessary
to reteach a thing its loveliness,
to put a hand on the brow
of the flower
and retell it in words and in touch
it is lovely
until it flowers again from within, of self-blessing;…

Michele Harper (2020) The Beauty in Breaking: A Memoir. Riverhead Books.
In this compelling memoir, Emergency Room physician Dr. Michele Harper draws us into the emotion and drama of an emergency room. She beautifully shares individual narratives of traumatic suffering experienced by her patients and herself, taking us on a spiritual journey of resilience and hope. Readers are guided to understand that it is only by healing each other that we can heal ourselves.

Timothy Snyder (2024) On Freedom Crown Publishers. “Freedom is the great American commitment, but as Snyder argues, we have lost sight of what it means - and this is leading us into crisis. Too many of us look at freedom as the absence of state power: We think we're free if we can do and say as we please and protect ourselves from government overreach. But true freedom isn’t so much freedom from as freedom to - the freedom to thrive, to take risks for futures we choose by working together. Freedom is the value that makes all other values possible.” (Publisher)

The Peace of Wild Things
by Wendell Berry

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound 
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I
go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world and am free.

In the Art Gallery of Ontario’s most recent edition of Foyer, (November 2024) Wendy So describes an interesting AGO study that explores viewers’ heart rates. “What are the physiological impacts of looking at art? The AGO aims to answer this question through its newest activation, the Art Rate Monitor. Since its launch on September 17, the AGO has welcomed over 4000 participants who uncovered how their heart reacts to art as they wander through galleries. The experience encouraged art lovers and casual visitors of all ages to explore how they experience art. “ Watch Now.

The November 20th episode of CBC Radio’s Ontario Today with Amanda Pfeffer explored looking for opportunities to find and use the experience of awe to help ourselves feel better. “Emotions researcher Dacher Keltner hears your stories. He heads the Social Interaction Laboratory at the University of California Berkley. His new book is called Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. Also joining us, University of Toronto researcher Jennifer Stellar to share her research on how to leverage awe to benefit health and wellbeing.” (CBC)  You can listen to the full episode here.
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-45-ontario-today/clip/16110240-dacher-keltner-hears-stories-what-memorable-experience-awe

We will end this list with a poem by Tyler Knott Gregson, in his collection, Chasers of the Light.

I might be lost at sea
but that will never mean
that I do not tilt my head
back, stare up at the stars
and sacrifice the salt in my
tears like an offering of my
most sincere and honest
gratitude for the way the water
never seems to stop rocking me
back to sleep.