The IASGW member retreat (Fall!) is now open* for registration!

 

Meals (Fri dinner-Sun breakfast), 

group work and educational offerings (CE approval pending),

private one-hour table massage,

professional sound bath,

lodging for two nights with modern amenities, and

down time to relax and connect.

Now is your chance! Group Work Division members (including those who join same day) have until February 15, 2026, to apply for this round of awards for the Community Based Group Counseling Grant. Up to $500 may be awarded in April for the project or projects chosen in blind review. Find out more and submit your application at https://iasgw.org/the-service-grant to have a chance at the grant award created to support clinicians in providing free groups to Illinois communities.

IASGW President Katie Grant

ASGW Call for Volunteers

ICA and IASGW membership does not cover ASGW membership

What to Expect

The 2026 conference is the perfect venue for professional growth, connection, and contribution. Attendees can look forward to:

• Earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

• Connecting with a diverse community of professionals.

• Engaging with leading experts and fresh voices in the field.

• Inspiring keynote speakers and intensive pre-conference workshops.

• Contributing to the future of group work theory and practice.

 Conference Details and Registration

All information about our keynote speakers, pre-conference offerings, and venue details, as well as the registration portal, can be found here:

Conference Website: https://web.cvent.com/event/f80e1331-52a7-4be5-9fdc-6afb7ecf8ebb/summary

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Dr. George Michael Gazda, co-founder of the Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW). Dr. Gazda died on September 11, 2025, in Athens, Georgia, at the age of 94.

Dr. Gazda was a strong voice and advocate for group counseling and psychology. He was also a caring friend, colleague, teacher, and mentor to the early leaders in the field. Together with ACA colleagues, he was instrumental in creating ASGW in 1969. When ASGW became a division of the American Counseling Association in 1973, Dr. Gazda served as the Founding President, establishing the professional home that group work specialists continue to rely on today. His research and writing, through 16 books and more than 100 publications, remain valuable resources, shaping the field of group work and counseling psychology.

At the University of Georgia, where he spent more than three decades, Dr. Gazda co-founded the Counseling Psychology Program and guided it to APA accreditation. In his roles as Associate Professor, Professor, Research Professor, and Research Professor Emeritus, he mentored generations of counselors and educators who continue to carry his vision forward. His leadership extended across the counseling profession as a whole, serving as past president of ACA, ACES, and two APA divisions.

Dr. Gazda’s service went far beyond the university. Grounded in his faith, he shared his gifts with his church community, leading bereavement groups and supporting those facing grief. He was as present in the lives of students and colleagues as he was with neighbors, friends, and parishioners, always offering care with humility and empathy. The frameworks, training models, and ethical standards he helped establish remain central to group work today.

We will remember Dr. Gazda not only as a pioneering leader but also as a devoted mentor and a man of deep faith and service. His legacy continues through the organizations he built, the students he inspired, and the countless lives touched by his work.

Connect with other ICSJ members and learn about ICSJ events. Be a part of our group here.

ISAIGE Board to Participate in Moline Pride Celebration

The board members of ISAIGE will be present at the upcoming Pride celebration in Moline on Friday, June 28th. The event, hosted by The Project of the Quad Cities, will take place at Bass Street Landing.

Community members and allies are invited to visit the ISAIGE vendor table for information about the organization's work, engaging conversations, and to pick up free stickers and other materials. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with the ISAIGE board, learn more about their initiatives in promoting advocacy, clinical education and inclusivity for LGBTQIA+ clients across Illinois, and show your support for the community.

Come say hello and learn how ISAIGE is making a difference!