Brattleboro Retreat Leader Named President-Elect of Prestigious Group Therapy Organization
by Mary Wilson // July 8, 2025
The Brattleboro Retreat is proud to announce that Kurt White, Vice President of Community Partnerships and Communications, has been named President-Elect of the Northeastern Society for Group Psychotherapy (NSGP).
Founded in 1956, NSGP is a regional affiliate of the American Group Psychotherapy Association leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the field of group therapy through training, education, and community. The society is home to some of the most respected voices in group psychotherapy and plays a vital role in shaping best practices and promoting human connection in clinical settings.
White’s new leadership role reflects the Brattleboro Retreat’s ongoing commitment to excellence in mental health care and thought leadership in the field. The Retreat values group therapy as a powerful tool for recovery and resilience.
“Group therapy is special,” said Joel Krieg, who is current Co-President of NSGP, together with Dr. Alexandra (Sasha) Watkins. “There is this process of a group figuring out how to work together, from so many different perspectives. It’s a life force in itself, and part of what the world needs more of. NSGP includes some of the giants of group psychotherapy, dating back to 1956. That’s part of why I joined, to learn from people who stay steady in their groups and in the world when things get hard. It’s a privilege to give back to this community and to welcome Kurt into this new role.”
White brings decades of experience in clinical leadership, supervision, teaching, and group work to NSGP. His appointment strengthens the Retreat’s connection to national conversations on best practices in group psychotherapy and affirms the organization’s role as a center for innovation, training, and compassionate care.
“I never imagined I would be president-elect of such a special organization,” said White. “I first learned about NSGP almost 25 years ago, when my group professor in graduate school told me I should connect. After a few years, I did, and it quickly became my professional home – and my career has been more and more oriented toward groups of all kinds, from teaching group psychotherapy at Smith College School for Social Work, to leading and managing teams at Brattleboro Retreat, to psychotherapy and training groups. I am honored to be a part of it.”
White is believed to be the first person from Vermont to become president-elect of NSGP, an achievement that new technologies has made more possible for this organization, which has long been centered in and around metro-Boston.
