Online

Thursday, February 6, 2025
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

Occupational therapists face increasing demand for services (Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, 2022) as do many health care providers across the country (e.g., Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2024; Drummond et al., 2022). Group therapy is a practical means for addressing high health care needs with limited therapist hours that also provides opportunity for peer support. Group therapy has been discussed in occupational therapy literature for 30 years (Cole, 1993, 2017), yet many therapists have greater practice working with individuals than groups. Findings from a survey in occupational therapy suggest that as many as half of all therapists use group therapy and “continuing education workshops and in-services to address [group therapy are] also paramount to increasing group use across practice areas” (Higgins et al., 2014). Exploring strategies and tools for working with groups in both virtual and in-person settings and practising facilitation in a group context will give health care providers greater confidence to increase efficiency and efficacy using this method of service. 

This workshop will increase the confidence and competence of occupational therapy and other health care professionals in facilitating group therapy by laying a foundation for group planning and practising facilitation. A variety of group formats, group dynamics, and the role of the therapist will be explored. Traditional and emerging opportunities for groups within occupational therapy will be reviewed. Various purposes of groups, such as psychoeducation, peer support, and clinical skill building, are referenced. Strategies and tools for in-person and virtual groups and various formats will also be discussed.

This interactive workshop uses breakout rooms and the large group interactions to build on didactic content and peer contributions; participants will practice and reflect upon individual facilitation and leadership styles. Case examples and practice exercises will provide further opportunity to build confidence and competence in facilitating group dynamics. Participants will also map out a group therapy plan for their work setting and practice facilitation methods in real time and have the opportunity to share their projects and invite feedback. Access to a microphone and webcam is highly beneficial for this workshop. 

Preliminary workshop agenda

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Be able to define the rationale for group therapy including benefit of peer support.
2. Be familiar with different formats for group therapy (virtual and in-person).
3. Recognize group components, process and roles.
4. Understand facilitation strategies.
5. Recognize the role of group leader as facilitator, educator, and therapist.
6. Outline a possible group in your work setting.

Target audience

Occupational therapy and other health care professionals (e.g., physiotherapists, speech language therapists, dietitian, social worker, nurses) who wish to increase their confidence, efficacy, and effectiveness in group therapy. Previous experience with group therapy is not required; those with prior group therapy experience may appreciate the opportunity to build on previous knowledge and network with other therapists in this field.

Please note: Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc. 

Client age group

Young children (0-4 years old), Children (5-12 years old), Adolescents (13-19 years old), Adults (20-64 years old), Older adults (65+ years old)

Areas of practice

Acute Care, Assistive Technology, Autism/Neurodiversity, Brain injury/Concussion/Spinal Cord, Cancer Care, Cardio-Respiratory Care, Caregiver/Family Education, Chronic Disease Management, Chronic Pain, Cognition, Community Development/Care/Crisis, Dementia, Developmental Disability, Dysphagia & Digestive Disorders, Driver Assessment & Rehabilitation, Ergonomics, Forensic Mental Health, Generalist, Global Health, Hand Therapy, Health Promotion & Wellness, Home Assessment & Modification, Independent Living & Housing, Indigenous Health, Mental Health, MSK Rehabilitation, MVA Rehabilitation, Neurology, Older Adults, Orthopedics, Occupational Therapist Assistant, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Psychotherapy, Return to Work, Role-Emerging, Sensory Integration & Processing, Sexuality & Gender, Substance Use/Addictions, Universal Design, Veterans Affairs or Armed Forces, Vision, Women’s Health, Workplace Health & Safety

Workshop level

Beginner (0-2 years of experience in group therapy)
Please note: Participants with more than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop. The workshop content will be geared towards those with 0-2 years of experience in planning and facilitating groups.  

Presenter

Mary Glasgow Brown, Reg. OT (BC)

Mary Glasgow Brown is passionate about group therapy as both a means of increasing our reach, and also creating opportunity for greater community connections. She has practised occupational therapy since 2010 in inpatient, outpatient, and community settings, primarily focusing on pediatrics. During her undergraduate degree in communications, she had a special interest in facilitation and dialogue with the SFU Centre for Dialogue. She appreciates group therapy as a means of collaborating with clients and drawing on peer support. Glasgow Brown is a clinical assistant professor with the department of occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at UBC. She is a member of the British Columbia Paediatric Occupational Therapy Council and an Advisory Council Member for CAOT-BC.

Registration fees

Registration deadline: February 6, 2025 at 9:59 a.m. (Eastern Time) 

Please note that CAOT does not offer group registration fees.

*It may be more cost effective to become a CAOT Member or Associate rather than pay the non-member rate. See “Can a non-member register for a Workshop?” in our Professional Development FAQs to know which membership category you are eligible for.  

Included in your registration fee:

Online workshop, access to the recording for a period of 14 days following the workshop, electronic copy of presentation slide handouts, opportunity to network and make connections with other occupational therapists interested in this topic, electronic certificate of attendance.

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by January 22, 2025 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after January 22, 2025. Substitutions and transfers requests received by January 22, 2025 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration. 

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before December 20, 2024 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until January 10, 2025. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

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