Group Psychotherapy in Canada

Canada is a relatively young country, spanning a vast geographical area; yet, it has matured quickly, becoming a diverse, prosperous, and proud nation. The development of group psychotherapy in this country has followed a similar path: its roots can be traced back to fairly recent times, but it has given rise to a rich fabric of practice, teaching, and research traditions. This article provides a brief synopsis of how group therapy is provided, taught, and studied in Canada. Given the growing emphasis on providing group therapy, we recommend that Canadian mental health services invest in continuing education in group therapy; accrediting bodies require that foundational knowledge in group principles be taught to all trainees; and institutions encourage researchers to engage clinicians in practice-based research.