Observation Group Training Series
The Brookline Center’s Observation Group Training Series is a 10-week experiential learning program for clinicians and trainees seeking advanced competence in group process and relational dynamics. Participants directly observe an ongoing, expert-led therapy group and participate in a guided clinical discussion immediately following each session.
This series offers a structured, in-depth approach to understanding the here-and-now moment, clinical judgment, and relational intervention—skills that translate directly into individual, couples, family, and group therapy practice.
Program Overview
Over ten consecutive weeks, participants join a learning cohort and:
- Observe a live, unscripted therapy group led by senior practitioners
- Engage in a 30-minute facilitated consultation and discussion
- Study relational dynamics, clinical decision-making, and process interventions
- Apply insights to a wide range of therapeutic and professional settings
The series offers a rare opportunity to learn from expert group therapists while developing a deeper capacity for attunement, presence, and clinical precision.
Who Should Participate
This training is ideal for professionals whose work depends on understanding interpersonal and systemic dynamics:
Licensed Clinicians: LICSW, LMHC, LCSW, PhD, PsyD, MD, and other independently licensed providers seeking CE credit and advanced training.
Pre-Licensed Clinicians: Master’s-level and doctoral-level clinicians working toward independent licensure who want applied learning to strengthen foundational clinical skills.
Graduate Students, Trainees & Post-Docs: Clinicians-in-training looking to bridge academic knowledge with applied clinical observation.
Group Therapy Providers: Practitioners aiming to expand therapeutic repertoire, refine leadership presence, and learn from diverse facilitation styles.
Professionals in Adjacent Relational Fields: Organizational leaders, consultants, supervisors, and other professionals whose work involves group dynamics or relational systems may also benefit from the program.
Program Structure & Methodology
Live Observation
Participants observe a real therapy group in action, gaining exposure to complexity, spontaneity, and nuanced relational process.
Expert Clinical-Led Discussion
Immediately following each session, faculty lead a structured discussion focusing on:
- Intervention choice and rationale
- Group dynamics and process interpretation
- Transference, resistance, and parallel process
- Leadership stance, pacing, and authority
Broad Applicability
Skills learned in this program support work with individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizational systems.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will develop enhanced competence in:
- Process Identification: Detecting emotional shifts, subgrouping, tension, and relational patterns
- Intervention Rationale: Understanding why a leader intervenes and articulating clinical reasoning
- Professional Presence: Strengthening pacing, authority, and moment-to-moment leadership
- Conflict & Repair: Facilitating rupture-and-repair dynamics in groups and clinical relationships
- Tracking Dynamics: Reading nonverbal cues, affective communication, and interpersonal complexity
- Attunement: Applying precise here-and-now interventions across modalities
Program Options
OG1
Thursdays · 10:00–11:45 AM (ET)
Format: In-Person
Faculty: Jeff Brand, PsyD & Amy Matias, LICSW, PhD
OG2
Tuesdays · 10:15 AM–12:00 PM (ET)
Format: Hybrid (alternating weekly between in-person and online)
Faculty: Joel Krieg, LICSW, CGP; Julie Anderson, PhD, CGP; and Louis Arcudi, LMHC
All in-person sessions meet in the Center’s fully ADA-accessible conference room.
Continuing Education
- CEs Available: 5.0 CEs
- CE Fee: $5 per 0.5 credit
- Requirements: Attendance, sign-in, and post-session evaluation. Please indicate at registration if you intend to pursue CE credit.
Program Fee
- $200 for the complete 10-week series
- NSGP Member Discount: 50% discount for current members of the Northeast Society for Group Psychotherapy
The cost reflects sustained, high-level consultation at a rate significantly lower than other training programs.
Commitment
A full 10-week commitment to the selected group (Tuesday or Thursday) is required.
Single-session observation is not available in order to protect group integrity and ensure ethical training standards.
Learn More & Get Started
Please complete this brief interest form so we can schedule a short consultation and explore next steps together.
If you are unsure which group option is the best fit, completing the interest form will allow us to set up a brief consultation to review your goals and determine appropriate placement.
Following submission, a member of our training team will contact you to arrange a short conversation, answer questions, and confirm program placement.
Observer Interest Form
