MN Group Therapy Conference May 2025 | CEUs, Experiential Training, & Process Groups
We Heard You!
Two Conference Options – Join Us for One or Both!
A huge thank you to everyone who completed the survey! Your input has been invaluable, and based on your feedback, we’re excited to offer TWO separate conferences this spring—one in-person and one virtual.
1. IN-PERSON Conference: May 2-3, 2025 (Friday & Saturday)
Location: Erik's Retreat 3420 Heritage Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55435
We will be in the conference room of this upscale, boutique-style hotel that is run by young adults with autism. Concierges. Artists in residence. Historians. Chefs. you can read more about Erik's Retreat below.
2. VIRTUAL Conference: May 8-9, 2025 (Thursday & Friday) | Online via Zoom
Earn 11.0 CEUs.
Buckle up! You will invest 9+ hours engaging in EXPERIENTIAL small group work with a highly skilled group facilitator and 6-8 other group members!
This spring, we’re thrilled to offer two conference options—an in-person retreat and a virtual training experience. Choose the format that works best for you—or attend both! Each conference follows the same structure but features a different keynote theme.
Register Now
Your Video Invitation
(it's from a couple years ago, but will give you a sense for our conferences)
What Makes This Conference Unique?
Live, experiential small group training – 9+ hours of hands-on learning
Learn by doing – Work in a real-time process group
Expert small group facilitators – Deep training, personal and professional growth
Build connections – Engage with a community of group therapy professionals
Reduce burnout – Recharge in a meaningful, immersive space
Experiential Format: The experiential nature of this conference means you will learn about group dynamics and interventions by being a group member of a process group lead by a highly qualified group facilitator. You will experience and study actual group issues as they organically arise in your group work together. This 'real-time' group work creates a learning environment that is not possible in didactic, role-playing, or other forms of trainings. Most of the conference will be spent in your Small Group Experiential Training (SGET) comprised of 6-8 members and 1-2 highly skilled group leaders.
This training is very similar to the two-day institutes that are part of the American Group Psychotherapy Association annual event.
The evaluations from our previous conferences have been overwhelming positive, and included several helpful suggestions that we have implemented as the conference has grown over the last five years. Of the 140 people that have attended our conferences, 100% marked that they would recommend this event to a colleague that is wanting experiential training.
I would highly recommend this conference. It’s a good source of experiential learning and introduction or deepening of group therapy knowledge and experience.
This conference is a must! Great quality and in-depth learning and growth. Connecting with others practitioners from all walks of life and experiences, great networking!
Wonderful! Loved the modeling of holding space, engaging group members, and the emphasis on present moment feelings. It was truly experiential!
"Just sign up!"..." It's very worth it"... "but be prepared for what it is (experiential rather than just didactic)."
"Experiential aspect was much more powerful than the traditional “lecture” approach. I very much appreciate it."
Conference Schedule (Central Time)
📅 May 2-3 (In-Person) | May 8-9 (Virtual)
Day 1
🕣 8:30 AM – Welcome & Introduction to Conference Structure
🕘 8:45-9:45 AM – Keynote Presentation
🕙 10:00-11:30 AM – Small Group Training Experiential #1
🕦 11:45-1:00 PM – Small Group Training Experiential #2
🍽 1:00-2:30 PM – Lunch (on your own)
🕝 2:30-4:00 PM – Small Group Training Experiential #3
Day 2
🕣 8:30-10:00 AM (Day 2) – Small Group Training Experiential #4
🕥 10:15-11:45 AM – Small Group Training Experiential #5
🍽 11:45-1:15 PM – Lunch (on your own)
🕐 1:15-2:45 PM – Small Group Training Experiential #6
🕒 3:00-4:00 PM – Group Debrief & Evaluations
Two Dates, Two Unique Experiences
(1) In-Person: May 2-3
Location: Erik's Retreat
3420 Heritage Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55435
The Art of Being Seen: Using ‘psyphotography’ to bridge the self-acceptance gap
How do we allow ourselves to be truly seen—not just as therapists, but as humans?
This exclusive, small-group training blends group therapy process work with psyphotography—a groundbreaking integration of psychology and photography designed to foster self-acceptance. Through experiential exercises, relational group dynamics, and reflective imagery, we will explore:
Visibility & Vulnerability – What holds us back from showing up fully?
The Power of Being Seen – How does seeing ourselves through the eyes of others change us?
Bridging the Self-Acceptance Gap – How can we extend more compassion toward ourselves—and our clients?
If you’ve ever participated in a two-day process group (or “institute”) at AGPA or another group therapy training, you’ll feel right at home in this format. This is a fully experiential training, meaning the majority of our time will be spent in small-group process work, engaging deeply with one another in a way that fosters connection, professional growth, and personal transformation.
- Intimate group experience (6-10 participants)
- Led by a highly skilled group facilitator
- Plenty of opportunities for corrective emotional experiences with visibility, self-perception, and self-acceptance
This is not a theoretical workshop or role-play exercise—this CEU training is real group work, in real time, with real therapeutic impact.
Most CEU trainings are passive and lecture-based.
This is different.
The process-oriented training approach blends personal and professional growth in a way that few training opportunities provide. You will see yourself through the eyes of the group, experience the impact of being seen, and explore the deep personal work necessary to help your clients do the same.
It is powerful. It is intimate. And this particular workshop is unlike anything else available to group therapists today.
An Unforgettable Group Experience
This training was first presented at the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) conference in March 2025 in San Francisco. The small-group experience was deeply meaningful, powerful, and joyous—a rare opportunity to engage in group therapy training that is truly experiential, relational, and transformative.
Participants described it as one of the most impactful professional and personal development experiences of their careers.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
1. Identify barriers to self-acceptance and visibility, both personally and professionally.
2. Explain the impact of vulnerability and visibility in the therapeutic relationship.
3. Utilize group process interventions that foster self-acceptance and authenticity.
4. Apply insights from relational group work to deepen their clinical presence and effectiveness.
5. Explore the intersection of identity, cultural narratives, and self-perception as it relates to therapeutic work.
How Will This Training Address Diversity & Cultural Considerations?
Self-acceptance and visibility are shaped by systemic and cultural factors, including race, gender, body image, ability, sexual orientation, and other intersecting identities. Throughout the process group experience, we will:
- Acknowledge and explore how cultural narratives shape visibility and self-doubt.
- Name and examine dynamics of privilege, oppression, and exclusion—particularly in professional spaces.
- Engage in dialogue about power and identity in group settings and how this informs our presence as therapists.
- Create space for both discomfort and reparative experiences around being seen, witnessed, and valued.
This training will intentionally model vulnerability, self-reflection, and the practice of bringing visibility to unspoken dynamics—all of which are essential for fostering inclusivity in group therapy spaces.
Photos from AGPA 2025
These images capture the power, depth, and emotion of this experience—therapists stepping into the courage of being seen, witnessing one another, and leaving the experience more connected to themselves and their work.
(2) Virtual: May 8-9 | Online via Zoom
The Imposter in the Room: Overcoming Shame and Self-Doubt as a Group Therapist
Description
Many therapists—regardless of training or experience—struggle with imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and fears of ‘not doing it right.’ These feelings are not just personal struggles; they are shaped by systems of power, oppression, and cultural narratives about who belongs and who doesn’t.
This two-day virtual process group will provide a rare, immersive opportunity to examine these feelings in real time—not through a lecture or role-play, but through the experiential power of group therapy itself.
Much like an AGPA institute, this training will take place in a small, intimate group setting (6-8 participants), allowing for:
- Live, relational processing of self-doubt and imposter syndrome.
- Opportunities for corrective emotional experiences in group therapy spaces.
- Exploration of how race, gender, and identity intersect with self-doubt.
- Practical tools for moving from fear and self-judgment to confidence and presence.
Instead of trying to fix, hide, or mask our discomfort, we will examine it together—unpacking both the internal and external forces that contribute to imposter syndrome in the therapy room.
By the end of this training, participants will have a deeper understanding of their own relationship with self-doubt, new ways to navigate imposter syndrome in their work, and an increased capacity to support clients who experience similar struggles.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Describe the systemic, cultural, and psychological roots of imposter syndrome in group therapy spaces.
- Examine the ways race, gender, and identity intersect with self-doubt and professional visibility.
- Utilize group process interventions to help clients (and themselves) navigate imposter syndrome.
- Apply here-and-now processing techniques to facilitate confidence and presence in group leadership.
- Reframe self-doubt as an opportunity for growth, relational connection, and professional authenticity.
How Will This Training Address Diversity & Cultural Considerations?
Imposter syndrome does not exist in isolation—it is shaped by systems of exclusion, unspoken cultural rules, and historical inequities that dictate who gets to be seen as an ‘expert’ in the room.
Throughout this process group experience, we will:
- Address the impact of systemic inequities on imposter syndrome in the therapy profession.
- Examine how race, gender, class, and other identities shape professional confidence.
- Create space for authentic conversations about power, privilege, and belonging in group spaces.
- Explore ways to challenge internalized self-doubt and reframe imposter syndrome as a relational experience.
This training is designed to demystify self-doubt, normalize the experience of imposter syndrome, and provide a space for therapists to reclaim confidence and authenticity in their work.
Attend one or both conferences—each offers a different keynote while providing the same deeply immersive training experience.
Pricing & CEUs
We are committed to making group therapy training more equitable and accessible, acknowledging the historical barriers that have limited opportunities for therapists of color.
Conference Rates:
$455 – Full Professional Rate (for white therapists and anyone who chooses this rate)
$370 – Reduced Rate for BIPOC Therapists
Why Race-Conscious Pricing?
This structure reflects our commitment to reparations and increasing access for BIPOC therapists. Our survey results showed strong support for a pricing model that acknowledges historical racial injustices in professional training.
Optional Add-on Costs:
CEU Certificate: +$25 (to cover MN Board pre-approval costs)
Professional Headshot Session (May 2-3 In-Person Only): +$200
- 30-minute 1-on-1 photo shoot with Nate Page
- Professionally edited headshot
- A high-quality image for your website, directories, and personal branding
Scholarships: Two full scholarships available—please reach out if cost is a barrier.
Register Now
About Erik's Retreat
(for in-person conference)
Nestled in Edina, Minnesota—just 15 minutes from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport—Erik’s Retreat is more than just a boutique-style hotel. It’s a mission-driven community, providing meaningful employment and independent living opportunities for autistic young adults. When you attend our in-person MN Group Therapy Conference, you won’t just be stepping into a comfortable and welcoming space—you’ll also be directly supporting a place that fosters autonomy, passion, and purpose.
At Erik’s Retreat, you might find Jacob leading a sunset sailing tour on Lake Bde Maka Ska, Lucas guiding a kayak excursion through the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, or Erik himself zipping around town on an electric scooter, sharing his favorite local history tidbits. Inside, you might be greeted by Rory at the front desk, ensuring guests feel at home, or catch Andrew organizing a community sports event. Ryan, the in-house chef, might be preparing meals with an extra touch of care, while Lindsay is busy managing the books, helping keep this incredible operation running smoothly.
Conference participants will enjoy their training sessions in the retreat’s inviting conference room, and for those traveling from out of town, overnight accommodations are available right on-site. While the facilities are modest, the impact is anything but—every reservation helps sustain a community built around employment, empowerment, and opportunity for autistic individuals.
We are honored to host this year’s conference at Erik’s Retreat.
For more information or to book a room, visit their website: eriksranch.org
Conference Committee
Nate Page, LP, CGP (he/him)
Nate Page is a licensed psychologist and Certified Group Psychotherapist, and the founder of Group Therapy Central. Nate leads online process-oriented training groups for therapists, and has been a faculty member at the American Group Psychotherapy Association annual event many years running. He was the group coordinator at Carleton College before transitioning into private practice with his spouse in Northfield, MN.
Jon Lewis PhD, LP, CGP, ABPP, Board Certified Psychologist (he/him)
Jon is the only psychologist in Minnesota board-certified in Group Psychology (ABPP), is a Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) , and has run psychotherapy groups for over a decade. He has run groups at the inpatient, outpatient, IOP and PHP levels, and has supervised numerous doctoral interns on their group therapy rotations. He has a passion and commitment for providing deep, meaningful, and relational experiences for therapists. For more information about Jon please visit: www.mplstherapy.org
Emily Price PsyD, LP (she/her)
Emily Price is a licensed psychologist with extensive experience leading process-oriented therapy groups and training clinicians in group therapy facilitation. She has spent the last four years designing and leading group therapy training programs for therapists, equipping them with the skills to navigate the complex interpersonal dynamics of group work with confidence and effectiveness.
Emily has facilitated therapy groups across a range of settings, helping individuals explore relational patterns, identity, and self-acceptance in a supportive and dynamic group environment. She is deeply skilled in here-and-now process work, creating group spaces where members can engage authentically, challenge old narratives, and experience meaningful connection.
As a highly trained experiential small group leader, Emily is passionate about helping therapists become more attuned, courageous, and effective in group settings. She is preparing to launch an online training group for therapists, offering clinicians a space to deepen their skills, explore their own relational styles, and refine their presence as group leaders.
Emily brings warmth, insight, and a strong clinical foundation to her work. Whether leading therapy groups, training clinicians, or supporting individuals in one-on-one work, she is committed to fostering growth, connection, and transformational learning experiences.
FAQs
Answers to some frequently asked questions.
How many continuing education credits will I receive?
11.0 CE credits. This conference is available to mental health clinicians of a wide variety of disciplines and licenses (including, but not limited to, psychologists, LMFT, LCSW, LADC, LPCC, APRNs, and physicians). We receive pre-approval from the Minnesota Board of Psychology. We do not seek pre-approval from other boards (due to time and money constraints) but this activity does meet all the listed CE requirements for the following boards:
MN Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (LPC and LADC)
MN board of Marriage and Family Therapy
Minnesota Board of Nursing (RN, LPN)
American Academy of Nurse Practicioners (APRN)
We charge a $25 fee for you to receive a signed CE certificate that includes the learning outcomes, presenter qualifications, dates, times, Minnesota Board of Psychology log number, and all other information needed for your licensing board.
In order to receive your CE certificate you will need to attend the full conference and make sure you sign in and out each day. Certificates will not be awarded to attendees that miss a portion of the conference.
Note - your board does not require that you have a CE certificate as long as you keep track of all relevant information (title of sessions, dates attended, learning outcomes, registration payment stub etc.). This information would be needed in the event that you are randomly selected for a continuing education audit.
Will there be more conferences like this in the future?
Yes! We had very successful fall and spring conferences since 2019, and assume we will continue creating them for years to come. We intend to ask conference participants about their desires for future conferences, and we anticipate that there will be high interest based on our experience doing group therapy trainings thus far.
What is the Small Group Experiential Training?
We believe that developing competency as a group leader is done best in experiential group formats. If you have been to a group therapy conference before you probably understand what these experiential groups are like. If not, hopefully the following paragraphs will give you some understanding.
You will be placed into a small group (6-10 members with 1-2 group leader(s) and will be asked to engage in group processing activities under the direction of the group leader(s). This is NOT a therapy group, but members will engage in group work that approximates what could occur in a treatment group in a way that fosters learning and helps develop your skills as a group interventionist.
Your level of engagement is up to you. You will be encouraged to behave authentically and spontaneously, and to continually reflect on your experience. For example, if you are in a small group experiential with a theme focused on Attachment Theory, group members would likely be encouraged to explore their own attachment styles, how these styles are surfacing among relationships with other group members and the group leader(s), and how to help members move toward secure attachment.
We usually do not engage in role playing activities, but instead bring our authentic selves into the group and focus on the actual group dynamics that arrise. This 'real-time' group work creates a learning environment that is not possible in didactic, role-playing, or other forms of trainings.
Please reach out to us with any questions you have about the conference. It can be confusing to picture experiential group training if you have never done it before.
In addition to the Small Group Experiential training, what else do we do at this conference?
We will gather twice as a whole conference for conference-wide educational activities (welcome and introductions, keynote address and large group debriefs, etc.). We also hope there will be time and space for networking, socializing, and developing a community of group therapy enthusiasts.
We also are providing plenty of breaks, including long lunch breaks for relaxation, networking, exercising, or anything else you'd like to do.
During some our large group meetings there will be time for announcements about group openings and other group therapy-related trainings and opportunities for clients and clinicians. Please bring any promotional materials that you would want to display (sharing your screen on Zoom).
If you would like to more formally advertise a practice, clinic, event or other opportunity please reach out to us about sponsorship opportunities.
What did participants say about our last Group Therapy Conferences?
"The Experiential content was fantastic; Honestly the best training I’ve been to in a long while."
"I thought this conference was excellent. It was my first conference of this type so I didn't have any past experience that formed any expectations, and I gained so much value in learning more about myself and others as well."
"What a rich and useful two days of group therapy experience, training and networking!"
"I felt like it was an overall enriching experience. I appreciate how the organizers created a space for non-white voice to be at the center of the conversations!"
"This was fantastic. The experientials were so meaningful, and the presentations were very timely and so needed."
"I enjoyed the conference overall. I love the experiential pieces and I appreciated the focus on racism in the more didactic sections."
"The small process groups were amazing."
You should be prepared for the participation demands of this conference as it is an active (rather than passive) experience."
"Just sign up!"..." It's very worth it"... "but be prepared for what it is (experiential rather than just didactic)."
Thank you to all who organized this, LOVED it! 🙂
More time would be wonderful! Even multiple breakouts through a day.
I am truly looking forward to a 2-day conference.
[My experiential group leader] modeled how group work is done and also used facilitator questions that will be useful in my practice. Very nicely done!
Very good conference!
I was in [group leader's name] group and [their] attunement was wonderful and [their] reflective comments led the group to a deeper level.
Wonderful experience!
"The experiential small groups were amazing; I learned so much more than in a presentation. I liked how we experienced two different [leadership] styles."
"This is my first experiential training, and I found it to be just what I would have hoped to be. You did an excellent job with the content of the training, modeling the facilitator role, and creating safety during the day to allow myself to open up."
"The experiential really was effective–it helped us go deeper and have something to process within a few minutes of starting then continued throughout."
"Experiential aspect was much more powerful than the traditional “lecture” approach. I very much appreciate it."