I currently have openings in two of my coaching groups. One is an executive leadership group, consisting of people in an executive role who want to talk with similar leaders. The other is a group consisting over 65 who are in transition in career and health.
My History with Groups:
Creating and conducting groups has been my passion since I was a senior in high school. My interest in groups probably derives from growing up as an only child and wishing for siblings.
In my career, I have conducted dozens of groups for a variety of populations, including: men, executive leaders, senior men, nonprofit leaders, teams( including Michigan football) and for couples.
At times of global stress, I have used a group approach to work with people in crisis situations. Notably, these include survivors of the 9/11 attacks as well as for and relatives of those lost family members in the Rwandan genocide.
Over my life, I’ve come to believe in the power of groups to help individuals grow and develop. Furthermore, I have found it as a powerful intervention to help populations to heal from collective trauma.
In historical order here are some of the groups I have started and conducted.
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In 1963, in the fall before John F. Kennedy was assassinated, my high school in Ferndale Michigan was beset by ethnic and social class conflict. As a student, I was friendly with students from several strata. I don’t know where the idea came from, but I asked a dozen of these students to come together and talk about the problems in the school. This group which came to be known as, “The Student Relations Council, “ helped to to resolve some of these major conflicts.
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In 1967, while working as a teacher and actor in New York City, I created groups to bring aspiring young African American actors together to talk about how to achieve their goals.
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In 1972, I recognized the importance of families of children with developmental disabilities, to talk to other families about their challenges and concerns. My wife,Patry,(also a clinical psychologist) and I developed and conducted several groups for parents. I did my dissertation at Harvard on my group work with siblings of children with developmental disabilities.
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In 1977, with my colleagues from the Ann Arbor Center For the Family , we started Family of Origin Groups where we, as therapists, took a deep look at how our families affected the way we did therapy. Almost 40 years later, this group continues.
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In about 1980, I started groups for men. Each year about 30 men participated in these groups.To this day, I continue to conduct these therapeutic groups in my practice.
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In the early 90s I began to conduct peer groups for men and women in leadership positions. These groups continue to this day (there are currently openings in one of these groups, see below)
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In 2001, I was called to New York City to help Reuters of America manage the Sept 11 crisis. Seven Reuters employees were killed in the attack and hundreds of others lost family members and friends. One of the most powerful interventions I used was to bring people together in small groups to process their trauma.
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In 2007, I had the opportunity to provide leadership training with government leaders in Rwanda. Both sides of the conflict were represented in the training groups. In 1994 almost 1 million Rwawans out of the population of 10 million were killed by their fellow citizens in this most horrible genocide. These extremely bitter and distrustful leaders found a way, through the group discussion model, to talk about and to begin to heal their differences.
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10 years ago, I started a group for men who were facing choices about their life directions as they approached the ages of 60 to 70. This group also continues to this day.
As I write this list, I learn much about myself. As a psychologist, I believe in the power of groups to heal, to grow, and to find peace with one another. As a man in my 70s, I realize I want to stay committed to conducting groups. Not only does it keep my juices flowing, but groups also provide for me a way to feel like I am making a difference in the world. I look forward to hearing from you about your interest in participating in one of my groups. Also, I encourage you to start and participate in groups in other settings, such as schools, workplaces, churches, etc. Furthermore, remember your family is a group. Treat it with care. Embrace new members. Honor members who have passed on. Welcome members who may be different in ethnicity and ability.
Enjoy your uniqueness.
Descriptions of Current Groups With Openings
Leadership Group
Goal of the group: To develop and enhance the leadership skills of the members
How: Through peer support
Duration: 24 one-hour sessions to be held bi-monthly on zoom.
Time: 5pm-6pm
Size of the group: Maximum size 8-10 members
Purpose of the group: For leaders to understand how to support and motivate themselves and their staff. Furthermore, to address the need to ensure profitability and/or growth, or in the case of nonprofits, adequate funding. The group will help the members, all leaders in their organizations, to lead effectively. There will be a focus on the “self of the leader.”
Format: In each meeting, the participants will have the opportunity to check in and to indicate whether they need group input on a particular leadership challenge. At the end of each meeting, the participants will decide on a topic for the next meeting. Rob Pasick will facilitate these meetings and ensure that everyone has an opportunity to speak and to be heard.
Confidentiality: The group members will agree to confidentiality. What is discussed in the group will stay in the group and will not be shared outside of the group. This is essential to maintain trust, which is key to the success of the group.
Senior Leadership Group For Men
Goal of the group: To develop and enhance the leadership skills with fellow senior men
How: Through peer support
Duration: Twice a month, one-hour long sessions on Zoom
Size of the group: Maximum size 8-10 members
Purpose of the group: For senior men to understand how to support and motivate themselves. Furthermore, help men who were facing choices about their life directions as they approached the ages of 60 to 70.
Format: In each meeting, the participants will have the opportunity to check in and to indicate whether they need group input on a particular life challenge. At the end of each meeting, the participants will decide on a topic for the next meeting. Rob Pasick will facilitate these meetings and ensure that everyone has an opportunity to speak and to be heard.
Confidentiality: The group members will agree to confidentiality. What is discussed in the group will stay in the group and will not be shared outside of the group. This is essential to maintain trust, which is key to the success of the group.
Interested in Joining One of My Peer Groups?
Click here to contact me about joining a peer group.