NEAFAST is dedicated to grassroots, peer-to-peer learning. SPARK - Supporting Peers and Refining Knowledge - 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 a FREE for NEAFAST members but are available to all professionals regardless of license and provide the option for Massachusetts LMFT Continuing Education credit (and often, depending on demand, credit for LMHC and LICSWs).
Past SPARK Groups have included: 
  • Family Therapy with Young Children
  • Working with Polyamorous Clients
  • Dimensions of Desire, Couples Therapy 101: Patterns in Interpersonal Interactions
  • Fostering Therapeutic Competence in Addressing Sexuality, Aging and Consent
  • Hope, Purpose, and Connection: Building Well-Being & Resilience
  • Addressing Intimate Partner Violence
  • Working Systemically with Military, Veterans and their Families

And we are currently hosting:

  • When a Marriage Ends: Understanding and Treating Clients Facing Divorce
  • Trans Sex: Conversations in Sex Therapy
  • When the Manosphere Invades Therapy: Working with Today’s Lost Boys and Men

Our Training and Education Committee is hard at work on developing more programs for the fall.  If you have a suggestion or would like to propose a group click HERE.