History and Membership
The Australian and New Zealand Association of Group Psychotherapists was founded in Melbourne in 1973 by Drs Francis Graham, Ian Martin, OHD Blomfield, Bill Orchard and George Lipton. The first president was Dr. Graham who had pioneered psychoanalytic group psychotherapy in Australia. Discussion was initiated by Dr. Martin in response to the growing need for trained and competent group therapists among health professionals. The Association grew from this foundation and gradually extended to membership in Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane. Members have a postgraduate clinical qualification usually in psychology, psychiatry or social work.
The criterion for selection of original members was membership of the American Group Psychoanalytic Association (AGPA) or GAS (London). Requirements for subsequent election to membership, and the development of a Training Programme, were modelled on those of the AGPA, and influence by the philosophy of the Tavistock Clinic, London. Most founding members were psychoanalysts or in psychoanalytic training, with Ezriel, Bion and Foulkes a strong background component. From these theoretical strands the Australian individual style evolved. Principles established by the initial steering committee were later built into the Constitutions.
In December 1987 the name was changed to The Australian Association of Group Psychotherapists (AAGP), and three years later the AAGP was Incorporated. Training courses were inaugurated in Melbourne, and with experience and a broader range of teachers, have grown in sophistication. Eventually Adelaide and Brisbane developed training courses. Currently however Melbourne and Brisbane have the only Training Programmes.
Members of the AAGP have served in prominent positions on the International scene. Dr. Sabar Rustomjee was President of the International Association of Group Psychotherapy (IAGP) from 2000-2003 and prior to this was Treasurer for 3 years. The late Dr. George Christie has been Co-Chair, Scientific Programme Committee and member of the Board of Directors IAGP, and Australian representative on the Board of EGATIN for several years. Since 1996 onwards Dr. Richard Prytula has served as the elected Victorian Branch representative on the Board of EGATIN.