SPARK Group Request for Proposals

Below is general information that will help you prepare your proposal. 

SPARK Groups are aimed at enhancing the practice of systemic and relational work through ongoing peer consultation facilitated by a topic expert. This initiative seeks to foster a supportive environment for professionals to deepen their understanding, share experiences, and enhance their practice. 

SPARK groups are held virtually between January and April, and again September to November, avoiding summer vacation and holiday-heavy months. SPARK groups can be held weekly or biweekly, each session should be 60-90 minutes, and the length of the program should be between 6 and 12 sessions. Materials used must be clearly connected to the topic, be accessible to a broad audience of therapists, and sources must be relevant and trustworthy (e.g. peer reviewed articles, scholarly articles, books that have been authored by notable experts in the field of systemic and relational therapy). 

Fee and Cost:

SPARK facilitators will be compensated with 60% of proceeds from attendees paying for CEUs and receive free CEUs for hosting the group. (NOTE: Per Allied Board regulations a maximum of 15 CE instructor hours will be granted during each renewal period. Instructor CEUs may only be obtained the first time teaching/hosting a particular course/group.)

Previous SPARK groups (formerly called Peer Consultation Groups) have provided training on topics including: Family Therapy with Young Children, Working with Polyamorous Clients, Dimensions of Desire, Couples Therapy 101: Patterns in Interpersonal Interactions, and Fostering Therapeutic Competence in Addressing Sexuality, Aging and Consent. 

Goals of SPARK GROUPs:

• To enhance the practice of systemic and relational work through collaborative learning and support.

• To provide a safe, structured space for consultation with peers.

• To engage with a topic expert who can guide discussions and provide insights.

Proposal Guidelines

We invite interested facilitators to submit proposals that include the following:

1. Proposed Topic: What specific area of systemic and relational work will be the focus of your consultation group? Please provide a brief overview of the topic and its relevance to practitioners.

2. Goals: What will attendees walk away having learned from this group and how will it benefit systemic and relational practice?

3. Group Size: What is the ideal size for your group and what minimum and maximum number would you put on attendance to ensure effective discussion and engagement? 

4. Materials: What materials or resources will be used during the sessions? Please include any recommended readings, frameworks, or tools that will support the group’s learning. Please consider the cost of materials to presenters and include them if applicable.

5. Session Length: How long will each session be? Please specify the duration for each meeting.

6. Duration of Group: How many weeks will the consultation group run?

7. Date and Time: What are your proposed dates and times for the sessions? Please consider the availability of participants.

8. Trainer’s Qualifications: Please provide a brief overview of your qualifications, experience in systemic and relational work, and any relevant expertise that will contribute to the facilitation of the group.

Group Facilitator Requirements (Must be one of the following): 

1. Currently practices or teaches in the field of relational and systemic therapy.

2. Is an independently licensed provider (LMFT, LICSW, LMHC, Ph.D or Psy.D). 

3. Has experience providing group training or supervision on this or a similar topic.

4. Has demonstrated expertise in the area of training through continuing education, formal education through a certified institution, or rigorous independent study. 

We look forward to receiving your proposals and to a rich exploration of systemic and relational practices through peer consultation! For additional information, clarification or to connect, please contact [email protected]