Life's many pieces: the identity of the group psychotherapist

The American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) and its members are experiencing a trauma in response to the changes in health care imposed by the managed care industry. Although the economic threat is frightening, the threat to professionals' and AGPA's identities is even more damaging. The increasingly rapid, society-wide rate of change and factors related to the aging of AGPA's membership complicate its ability to cope with the trauma. The author recounts personal trauma and professional experiences in treating traumatized individuals, and proposes that when certain needs are met, growth can occur as part of a healing process: getting through the trauma, finding safety, self-soothing, and achieving mastery. AGPA resources for being safe, self-soothing, and achieving mastery are described. AGPA has been successful in reaching out via new accomplishments in regard to visibility, although the understandable impulse to withdraw may be impeding efforts to diversify the membership body. The author urges fighting against the pull to withdraw and expresses hope that the AGPA will cope well with the trauma by using its significant resources and will ultimately experience a beneficial change in its identity.