Social Action Committee
The Social Action Committee of the Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society (EGPS) aims to further our organizational commitment to translating human rights and social justice values into socially engaged action, particularly as related to groups and mental health. We believe that active engagement with societal problems is an important aspect of our professional organization’s identity. Thus, we seek to promote dialogue and action regarding salient social issues that impact our organization, our society, and our world.
We invite EGPS members to join us in translating our group expertise and commitment to human rights and social justice into social action, both within our organization and in society at large.
Current initiatives:
- Consultation Group with a focus on agency and non-profit clinicians
- At November-January Brooklyn Discussion Groups when meeting in person, bring a new or gently used, laundered coat to donate to our New York Cares Coat Drive
- At the Annual Conference, when meeting in person, bring canned goods and/or toiletries to donate to the Social Service & Community Service Programs of our host, Riverside Church.
- Encouraging all members to educate themselves and make a plan for voting (resources like vote.org may be helpful).
- Supporting the ongoing work of EGPS members to address the social and systemic challenges of the Covid context.
Example areas for possible development:
- Volunteer outreach and activism in agencies/non-profits, especially offering our group leadership expertise
- Event(s) that explore the intersection of group theory/practice and social issues/activism
Contact Joe Hovey (joehovey@gmail.com) or Fabiola Desmont (fdesmont0107@gmail.com) to learn more, and to join the committee’s work.