Upcoming Events
Spring Conference
Kavita Avula, Psy.D., CGP
Holding Dignity of Self and Other In Groups: An Antidote to Despair and Dehumanization
Friday, April 17 & Saturday, April 18, 2026
Kavita Avula, Psy.D., CGP
Holding Dignity of Self and Other In Groups: An Antidote to Despair and Dehumanization
Friday, April 17 & Saturday, April 18, 2026
In today's polarized world, many group therapists find themselves struggling with despair and dehumanization, in both themselves and their groups. This training explores how holding one's own dignity and that of the other can help to transform professional relationships and group dynamics. Clinical and professional examples of overcoming impasses, not taking on projections, the use of self, and stepping towards the other can lead to humanization for all of us.
This conference will introduce and explore social dreaming and large and small group processes that help individuals and members of society to co-exist in more dignified, less polarized ways. It is highly experiential, with participants experiencing and observing small and large group methodologies that enact current developmental and social dilemmas, while working to prioritize dignity of self and other. All participants will be invited to recognize and make conscious unconscious codes of superiority. The conference will begin and end with embodied somatic practices.
This conference will introduce and explore social dreaming and large and small group processes that help individuals and members of society to co-exist in more dignified, less polarized ways. It is highly experiential, with participants experiencing and observing small and large group methodologies that enact current developmental and social dilemmas, while working to prioritize dignity of self and other. All participants will be invited to recognize and make conscious unconscious codes of superiority. The conference will begin and end with embodied somatic practices.
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Kavita Avula, PsyD, CGP is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified group psychotherapist who has worked extensively with trauma, critical incident response, and large group dynamics. She is the Dean of the New Washington School of Psychiatry National Group Psychotherapy Institute in Washington DC, faculty at the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis as well as a Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association. For decades, Dr. Avula has served as a thought leader and partner to humanitarian and human rights organizations, developing and implementing staff wellbeing and organizational resilience programming and initiatives. She is recipient of the Community Psychoanalysis Institutional Award. She has traveled to four continents to facilitate healing in the face of war, conflict, and natural disaster. Founder and President of Therapist Beyond Borders, a trauma-informed boutique consulting firm, she leads interdisciplinary teams to support organizations, hospitals, and universities through conflict, crises, and public scandals.
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Learning Objectives
- List current examples or manifestations of despair and dehumanization in psychotherapy groups.
- Describe large group experience and how it supports the study of society and development of civic-mindedness in the face of regression.
- Identify ways in which maintaining one’s own dignity and recognizing the dignity of others can transform relational dynamics in groups.
- Describe the process of the social dreaming matrix and how it facilitates containment and mitigates polarization in communities.
- Explain what scapegoating is and why it occurs, and list strategies to address it effectively.
- Reflect on personal and professional practices that promote humanization, empathy, and resilience in the face of social and interpersonal division.
Friday April 16, 2026
George Eastman House | 900 East Ave, Rochester, NY
8:15 - 9:00 a.m. Registration & breakfast
9:00 - 9:15 a.m. Welcome, Announcements, & Introduction
9:15 - 10:30 a.m. Somatic Practice & Didactic # 1
10:30 - 10:45 a.m. Morning break & snack
10:45 - 12:00 p.m. Social Dreaming & Large Group
12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch Break
1:30 - 2:45 p.m. Somatic Practice & Didactic #2
2:45 - 3:00 p.m. Afternoon break
3:00 - 4:15 p.m. Demo Group
4:15 - 5:00 p.m. Reflections & Closing Somatic Practice
5:00 - 5:15 p.m. Evaluations & sign-out
Saturday, April 27, 2026
1577 South Avenue Rochester, NY
10:00am - 11:30am
A 90-minute, small group, experiential training to deepen exploration of the conference themes with our presenter.
George Eastman House | 900 East Ave, Rochester, NY
8:15 - 9:00 a.m. Registration & breakfast
9:00 - 9:15 a.m. Welcome, Announcements, & Introduction
9:15 - 10:30 a.m. Somatic Practice & Didactic # 1
10:30 - 10:45 a.m. Morning break & snack
10:45 - 12:00 p.m. Social Dreaming & Large Group
12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch Break
1:30 - 2:45 p.m. Somatic Practice & Didactic #2
2:45 - 3:00 p.m. Afternoon break
3:00 - 4:15 p.m. Demo Group
4:15 - 5:00 p.m. Reflections & Closing Somatic Practice
5:00 - 5:15 p.m. Evaluations & sign-out
Saturday, April 27, 2026
1577 South Avenue Rochester, NY
10:00am - 11:30am
A 90-minute, small group, experiential training to deepen exploration of the conference themes with our presenter.
Continuing Education
NYSED CEs are provided by the UB School of Social Work Office of Continuing Education. 6 live in-person
contact hours are approved for LMSW/LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, LCAT, and PSY. Full attendance is required;
no partial credit will be awarded for partial attendance.
NYSED CEs are provided by the UB School of Social Work Office of Continuing Education. 6 live in-person
contact hours are approved for LMSW/LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, LCAT, and PSY. Full attendance is required;
no partial credit will be awarded for partial attendance.
Rates
Full-Day Workshop
Standard Rate: $180
Agency Rate: $120 *
Student Rate: $40 **
* This discount may be used by anyone working in a non-profit setting.
** This discount may be used by anyone who is currently enrolled in a degree program.
Consultation Group
All participants: $70
Racial Equity Rate: RAGPS’ purpose is to provide high quality training in group psychotherapy to the Western New York community. Since people who identify as members of racial and ethnic groups have historically been denied equal access to education and training, we offer a Racial Equity Rate for our conferences and trainings. If you so identify, regardless of financial need, we invite you to email us at [email protected] to be provided with a discount code.
Other Need: If you are unable to attend a training due to financial constraints and are not eligible for the Racial Equity Rate, please reach out to us directly at [email protected] to see if a mutually beneficial solution can be reached.
No refunds issued after April 14th, 2026.
Onsite registration is available.
Full-Day Workshop
Standard Rate: $180
Agency Rate: $120 *
Student Rate: $40 **
* This discount may be used by anyone working in a non-profit setting.
** This discount may be used by anyone who is currently enrolled in a degree program.
Consultation Group
All participants: $70
Racial Equity Rate: RAGPS’ purpose is to provide high quality training in group psychotherapy to the Western New York community. Since people who identify as members of racial and ethnic groups have historically been denied equal access to education and training, we offer a Racial Equity Rate for our conferences and trainings. If you so identify, regardless of financial need, we invite you to email us at [email protected] to be provided with a discount code.
Other Need: If you are unable to attend a training due to financial constraints and are not eligible for the Racial Equity Rate, please reach out to us directly at [email protected] to see if a mutually beneficial solution can be reached.
No refunds issued after April 14th, 2026.
Onsite registration is available.
Save the Date!
Fall Conference
Chap Atwell & Liz Stewart
November 6-7, 2026
Chap Atwell & Liz Stewart
November 6-7, 2026
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Would you be interested in serving on an RAGPS committee? The RAGPS Board is seeking community members to serve on several committees. If you are interested, contact us and let us know you might be interested in committee work. We will set up a time to meet and determine if that could be a good fit.
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