This in-person Professional Development Day (PDD) will broaden your knowledge on the theory and practice of working with groups.  

Sessions will enhance your awareness and understanding of the particularities of working with groups and deepen your theoretical knowledge and experiential capacity as a facilitator. It will focus on groups that are broadly therapeutic in nature, such as therapy groups, personal development groups, and support groups.  

This PDD is relevant to therapists working, or considering working, with groups such as personal development groups, therapy groups, specific theme-based groups and support groups. This course is about gaining skills to develop specific conceptual and practical ways of working with groups in a confident and effective manner. 

Event aims 

The main aims of this PDD are to: 

  • offer a critical introduction to different theoretical concepts of working with groups
  • explore different types of group work interventions
  • consider critical group concepts, including: 
  • leadership 
  • roles vs individuals 
  • content vs dynamics
  • group ‘as a whole’ 
  • stages of group development 

By the end of the PDD, you’ll have the opportunity to:  

  • learn about key theoretical concepts of working with groups 
  • consider issues related to setting up and facilitating groups 
  • understand different stages of group development 
  • consider issues of leadership/facilitation and co-facilitation 
  • learn about different types of interventions specifically related to groups

Programme 

Registration will be from 9.30am with the workshop starting promptly at 10am. Two refreshment breaks and a light lunch will be provided. The workshop will finish at 4.30pm. 

View the full programme. 

About the presenter 

Dr Faisal Mahmood is a UKCP registered individual and group gestalt psychotherapist, BACP Registered Accredited Counsellor and UKCP approved clinical supervisor. Faisal works as a Head of Subject – Counselling, Psychotherapy & Talking Therapies at Newman University (Birmingham) heading up two programmes: Foundation Degree in Integrative Counselling (BACP accredited) and post graduate programmes (MSc) in counselling and psychotherapy (UKCP accredited). He has over 20 years of clinical experience working directly with clients in a wide range of settings such GP surgeries, hospitals, voluntary sector and private practice. Faisal runs a private practice based in Solihull where he offers individual, couples and group therapy as well as individual and group supervision. He also facilitates personal development groups and offers a range of CPD training events. 

Testimonials 

'Really insightful day! Was a great way to make new connections and very informative. Would highly recommend this training. Gave a completely different view on how to deliver sessions!'

'A great starting point if you’re thinking of going into therapeutic groupwork. An opportunity to reflect on own experiences of groups, and some helpful references to dig deeper into.'

Key information 

Included in your booking:

  • three hours of CPD presentations 
  • Q&A sessions with Faisal 
  • CPD certificate to download 
  • selected presentation slides 
  • light lunch & refreshment break 
  • opportunities to network with other attendees 

Location and venue

This PDD will be held in Nottingham on Tuesday 17 November 2026, the venue is still being confirmed.

After booking you’ll receive a confirmation email. Full joining instructions will be sent out nearer the event date.

Accessibility

All our event venues are accessible and are DDA and EA 2010 compliant. For more information on accessibility, Hearing loops, and large print handouts are available on request.

For a full list of our event accessibility commitments please visit our website