We thank all of you who
participated in our Survey. The information
is invaluable to us in providing you with
what you want and
need from SFPRG. I was alarmed that a
portion of the 42 responders said they
felt we were unresponsive to inquiries and
that there is an in/out feel to our social
and educational events. We intend to be more
responsive to you and also provide a more
welcoming atmosphere.
Many responders want educational and
collegiate activities outside the SF area,
including other states and back east. We
have been working with the education
committee to provide more workshops,
conferences and activities for East, North
and South Bay members and we are looking at
how we can provide a more substantial
presence for our members.
Responders gave us many topics of interest
to them for informal discussion groups,
workshops and research including issues of
GLBT populations, Parenting, the Unconscious,
Bi-polar, Medication Resistance, Dreams, Art,
Families, Couples, Spirituality, Cultural
Diversity, Infants, Politics, Trauma,
Professional Support, and having joint
conferences with other groups and/or theories.
Further, respondents are interested in
Altruism, Guilt, Fear, Empathy, Difficult
Clients, Plan Formulation, Therapist
Self-care, Supervision, Boundary Dilemnas,
Termination and Attachment Theory to name most.
Respondents have also requested more
contact through online discussion formats, a
global speaker's bureau, programming for the
east coast, involvement with other national
conferences, institutes and orientations,
fund raising events and increased membership.
Previous members have stated that they
have not renewed because of the economy,
distance, cost, limited interest in national
participation while others have said they
look forward to renewing and becoming members
of SFPRG.
When asked if our structure for Town Hall
Mambos met their needs some said they want a
less serious event, with the business portion
in the middle so that socializing and having
fun was a priority. They also want a warmer
welcome with introductions to others as a
standard practice. Most respondents said
they would attend more informal events if we
hosted them.
As for the newsletter most said they
find it helpful in terms of CMT theory,
publicizing events, research, intern program,
and publication and links. Suggestions were
to have shorter articles, more articles on
topics of interest (see above), and updates
between newsletters.
Respondents also suggested that SFPRG
could do better with more outreach to schools
and universities, more conferences and
workshops, more advertising, more
networking with other clinics and to be more
welcoming
with less focus on board activities.
So, what did respondents say we are doing
right? We are therapists with heart,
intellectually active, we are persistent in
the face of crises, our research activity, we
are collaborative, good clinic and training
center, lots of volunteer time from members,
providing mentoring and reaching out for
members' "plan".
So, in reaching our for your plan, as
chair, I take seriously your input about what
makes SFPRG a group of which you want to
begin or continue being a member.
Our new website will give you opportunities
for interaction with other therapists and a
referral source for new patients in addition
to being skillfully designed. As you can see
from the previous articles herein from each
of the committees we are hard at work
providing members with the opportunities and
experiences that make membership valuable to you.
In conclusion, membership in SFPRG and
involvement in CMT have proven to be helpful
to our patients, our practices and to the
psychotherapeutic community as well. Look
for our membership renewal/invitation coming
in August.
Kathie Dunn
