AGPA Connect Program Proposal Submission System
March 2-7, 2026

 
 
 
 
 
Dear Group Colleagues:‎
 
We hope that you are still basking in the warmth, connections and group training acquired from ‎our in-person and virtual Connect 2025. How wonderful it was to meet and engage with so ‎many of you in San Francisco and online! Whether in-person or in the virtual community ‎format, we are privileged to be a part of such a rich and vibrant community where we all get to ‎be learners and teachers.
 
It is now time to begin planning for AGPA Connect 2026. The dates are March 2 to March 7, ‎‎2026. The in-person meeting will be held in New York City at the Sheraton New York Times ‎Square Hotel and the virtual meeting will be held via Zoom.‎
 
AGPA Connect 2026 Theme: “Group Life: Holding Space for Deeper Connection in ‎Complex Times.”‎
 
AGPA is Connecting Virtually and In-Person.
 
With your thoughtful and culturally responsive expertise, we can build together an exciting and ‎innovative program with BOTH in-person and virtual offerings. A concurrent virtual and in-‎person program provides accessible quality mental health training for group ‎therapists worldwide. We encourage submissions that will be presented virtually whether ‎you are with us in-person in New York or joining remotely.‎
 
Why Diversity Matters at AGPA, Connect & Group Life:‎
  • ‎Enriches Therapeutic Dynamics: Diverse groups bring varied perspectives, enhancing ‎opportunities for empathy, communication, mutual understanding, connection, and ‎shared responsibility and accountability for healing and inclusion among participants.‎
  • ‎Addresses Systemic Inequities: Recognizing and addressing systemic oppression ‎reenacted within therapeutic settings fosters healing and promotes social justice.‎
  • ‎Improves Clinical Outcomes: Culturally responsive therapy practices lead to more ‎effective interventions and better client engagement.‎
  • ‎Expands Professional Competence: Engaging with diverse groups challenges ‎clinicians to grow, adapt, and refine ethical therapeutic skills. AGPA has made available ‎a growing selection of live and on-demand offerings to help your development in these ‎professional principles.‎
 
Proposal Guidelines:‎
  • 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. ‎
  • Session Formats: A wide array of learning opportunities that include formal ‎presentations and lectures, experiential learning and demonstration groups, and courses, ‎are welcome.‎
  • Content Focus: We are open to multiple theoretical perspectives that are grounded in ‎evidence- and/or practice-based research. As part of your proposal, you will explain how ‎you will address and integrate issues related to diversity (e.g., differing ages, races, skin ‎color, sexual orientations, religions, gender identities, cultures, immigration status, body ‎size, abilities, neurodiversity, and socio-economic realities), power dynamics, privileged ‎and non-privileged identities, intersectionality, trauma-informed care, social justice, ‎and/or anti-oppressive practices with inclusive facilitation strategies. ‎
  • ‎Engagement: Sessions should be interactive, promoting participant reflection and ‎dialogue.‎
  • Accessibility: Ensure content is accessible to attendees with diverse learning needs, ‎abilities, and backgrounds.‎
 
 
Submission Details:‎
 
We look forward to receiving your in-person AND virtual program proposals as we plan and ‎prepare for an outstanding AGPA Connect 2026!
 
Sincerely,
 
Ginger Sullivan, MA., LPC, CGP, AGPA-F ‎
Brenda Boatswain, Ph.D., CGP, SHRM-CP
Co-Chairs, AGPA Connect ‎