FORMAT DEFINITIONS AND PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS FOR AGPA CONNECT 2026
TWO-DAY INSTITUTE
GENERAL PROCESS GROUPS: These sections, which are structured to provide experiential and cognitive learning, examine analytic and process group experience. Individuals applying to lead general process group sections must be Certified Group Psychotherapists (CGPs) and have previously attended the National Instructor-Designate Section.
To submit a General Process Group proposal, you will need to prepare:
- A current CV (This must be uploaded through the form.)
- Faculty Participation at previous AGPA annual events
- List past experiences relevant to the topic area
- Explain your qualification to teach the specific content
- Explain how you'll address and/or incorporate diversity related issues
- Describe your own personal and professional journey to better understanding of diversity issues
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SPECIFIC FOCUS PROCESS GROUPS: Intensive learning exploring a variety of theories and methods in group treatment are offered in these limited registration groups. Current topics may be pursued in greater depth and instructors may offer new approaches and methods into private practice, clinic and agency work. NOTE: These groups are usually led by one instructor and meet over two days; occasionally two instructors may lead a group. Individuals applying to lead Specific Focus Process Group sections must be Certified Group Psychotherapists (CGPs).
To submit a Specific Focus Process Group proposal you will need to prepare:
- A current CV (This must be uploaded through the form.)
- Faculty Participation at previous AGPA annual events
- List past experiences relevant to the topic area
- Explain your qualification to teach the specific content
- Explain how you'll address and/or incorporate diversity related issues
- Describe your own personal and professional journey to better understanding of diversity issues (to be completed by all presenters)
- First-time instructors for Specific Focus Process Groups who have not previously led an AGPA Institute must provide the names and emails of two AGPA members or professional colleagues familiar with their work recommending a faculty appointment to the Institute.
- Session title
- Session description (An approximately 80-word paragraph form synopsis of the content of your session.)
- Learning objectives
- Program outline tied to the learning objectives and incorporation of diversity related issues
- Ten assessment questions
- Statement of evidence-based approach
- Significant articles
- Co-presenter profile information (if applicable) including CVs for all presenters. (This must be uploaded through the form.)
THREE-DAY CONFERENCE
OPEN SESSIONS: These sections are 2½-hour or 90-minute presentations and have unlimited attendance. Various formats may be used; most usually require a designated chair and several presenters. Some topics lend themselves to formal presentations followed by a designated discussant. Others are best handled through a less structured format. Active discussion with the audience is encouraged in all Open Sessions.
First-time faculty for Open Session are typically limited to 90-minute presentations.
All open session proposals accepted for presentation at AGPA Connect will be audio recorded. Chairpersons and panelists agree to have their remarks recorded by virtue of accepting an invitation to present at AGPA Connect. The following formats may be used:
PANELS: Panelists present formal papers and/or address questions posed by the chairperson in a particular area of interest.
DEMONSTRATION GROUPS: Faculty demonstrate approaches on specific topics, in some cases utilizing groups composed of volunteers from the audience. Open Session panel or demonstration group proposals should be submitted as a complete package with all participants confirmed. The responsibility for this resides with the chairperson who is expected to work with all participants in advance to assure a high quality session. The proposal should indicate the suggested duration of the presentation. Events may be linked with other presentations on a similar topic.
COURSES: These events are held for 10 hours held over two or 5 hours for one day and have unlimited attendance. Various formats may be used; however, a clearly structured curriculum is always in place and submitted for review with the proposal to the Committee. Submit the curriculum outline with the proposal.
WORKSHOPS: These events are 5-hour (all-day), 2½-hour (half-day) or 90-minute meetings where participants exchange information among themselves and with the chairperson. Attendance is limited, with interaction guided by the faculty person.
To submit an Open Session, Course or a Workshop proposal you will need to prepare:
- A current CV (This must be uploaded through the form.)
- Faculty Participation at previous AGPA annual events
- List past experiences relevant to the topic area
- Explain your qualification to teach the specific content
- Explain how you'll address and/or incorporate diversity related issues
- Describe your own personal and professional journey to better understanding of diversity issues (to be completed by all presenters)
- First-time faculty for Open Session or a Workshop who have not previously led an AGPA event must provide the name and email address of an AGPA member or professional colleague who can directly address the leader's ability to conduct the session.
- Session title
- Session description
- Learning objectives
- Program outline tied to the learning objectives
- Ten assessment questions
- Statement of evidence-based approach
- Significant articles
- Co-presenter profile information (if applicable) including CVs for all presenters. (This must be uploaded through the form.)
*** For all formats, you will need to indicate your preference to present either virtually or in person.
*** IMPORTANT UPDATE: We are now offering more options for the types of presentations that you may propose and/or join. The limitation is that you may participate in a maximum of two events. For example, you may participate in an Institute and a workshop, two open sessions, two workshops, or any combination. ***
*** NOTE: The Committee reserves the right to recommend and propose a different format for the submitted event (for example, even if you submit a workshop, the Committee may recommend an alternative format).
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