Holding Space for One Another
Michele D. Ribeiro, EdD, ABPP, CGP, AGPA-F, APA-F
As I reflected on this column, I found myself returning to several recent group experiences that I had the privilege of facilitating. One was a demonstration group within the Principles of Group Psychotherapy course I teach for Ukrainian counselors and graduate students. Over ten weeks, we met via Zoom to build foundational group skills that can support communities living through the ongoing realities of war. Another was a twelve-week research project in which I facilitated a transition group for first-year clinical psychology PhD students. The third was a six-week psychotherapy group for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.
Although these groups differed greatly in purpose, membership, and context, each left a profound impression on me and reinforced why group work continues to be such a meaningful part of my professional life.
I am especially drawn to a moment from one of the demonstration groups with the Ukrainian students. During a simple check-in, one member invited the group to describe how they would celebrate a seven-year-old child’s birthday. One woman imagined decorating a room in bright yellow with festive decorations. Another shared that her family had very little money when she was growing up, yet she remembered celebrating with her mother and father and feeling that being with family was enough. Then another woman spoke about stopping her daughter from attending prom because of the war. She told her daughter that they would celebrate once the war ended. “I never thought the war would last this long,” she said. “That was four years ago, and I have so much regret that I didn’t let her go.”
Her vulnerability opened the door for others to share their own losses, disappointments, and grief associated with the war. At the same time, the conversation shifted toward a deeper appreciation for celebration, connection, and living fully in the present moment. What began as a discussion about a child’s birthday became an exploration of loss, hope, and the importance of embracing joy whenever it is available.
I witnessed a similar process in both the menopause group and the graduate student transition group. Shared struggles became pathways to deeper connection, self-understanding, and new perspectives. Participants discovered that their experiences, while deeply personal, were also profoundly human and often shared by others. Across all three groups, I was reminded of life’s fragility and of our enduring desire to connect with one another. Group provides a unique space where that connection can emerge, where vulnerability is welcomed, and where healing and growth become possible.
As I look ahead to our Division 49 community, summer professional developments, and our time together at the APA Annual Convention, I am energized by what brings us together and what we continue to build. First, I want to highlight Nathaniel’s diligence in organizing Lunch and Learn programming prior to Convention with the first one being June 19th on Group Trauma Interventions in Clinical Practice: An Introduction to GTEP/GREP, and the second one on July 15 on Somatic Experiencing-Focused Group Psychotherapy: Including the Body in Process Groups. To sign up please go to: https://shorturl.at/u4Tv4
Our Convention Programming Chairs, Kristin and Kodee, have assembled an outstanding program featuring symposia, critical conversations, and poster presentations designed to strengthen our work as group leaders. Sessions include Engaging Culturally Embedded Strengths in Groups to Support Flourishing, Leveraging Therapeutic Factors for Effective Group Supervision, Culturally Responsive Group Psychotherapy Interventions, TRANSplants & Group: Supporting Gender Diverse Adults Relocating for Safety, Taking It Outside: Integrating Adventure Education and Intergroup Dialogue, and Managing Microaggressions in Group Therapy. We are also participating in Division 45’s Wellness Fair for the DC Community so if you would like to assist me with hosting our Division 49 Table please reach out to me at mribeiro@westernu.edu. The Fair will be held on Saturday, August 8th from 12:30 to 2:30pm. I hope you will join us and support Division 49 programming throughout the convention.
I also want to express my sincere gratitude to our President, Joe Miles, for being such a thoughtful, responsive, and skilled colleague. One of the greatest gifts of serving as President-Elect has been the opportunity to work closely with leaders in our field, and I am especially grateful that Joe has been one of those leaders. I am equally appreciative to our entire Board for their dedication and contributions. As we thank those rotating off the Board in December 2026: Drs. Ronn Johnson, Jill Paquin, David Songco, and Ilana Ander; we also welcome our newly elected leaders who will begin their terms in January 2027: Drs. David Songco (President-Elect), David Rivera (Domain Representative, Group Psychology), Sophia Aguirre (Domain Representative, Practice), Kritika Dwivedi (Domain Representative, Diversity), and Alexandra Kim (Student Representative). It is exciting to see the strength of leadership that will continue to guide Division 49 into the future.
As I wrap up this column, I want to thank you for your ongoing engagement with Division 49. I hope to see many of you at convention, at our social gathering (Friday, August 7th at 5:30pm), and throughout the year ahead. I am honored by the opportunity to serve as your incoming President and look forward to working alongside you as we continue to advance the power and promise of group psychology and group psychotherapy.