About

Using the Tavistock group relations tradition of open systems and psychodynamic theories, CSGSS develops group relations conferences, meetings, and other events to further learning about group processes. For more info, email us at info@csgss.org

The mission of CSGSS, Center for the Study of Groups and Social Systems is to further the understanding of groups and organizations as conscious and unconscious social systems through experiential learning, education, and application.

Values

  • We value learning from experience through reflection on the conscious and unconscious processes in group life.

  • We are committed to learning about how group members take up leadership and authority in various contexts.

  • We value a systems framework that respectfully engages our differences to deepen our understanding of how groups work and survive.

  • We aspire to mitigate economic barriers for those who desire to attend our events.

  • We are committed to developing an authorized membership that is active in the Center's mission and work.

  • We are committed to furthering the application of psychodynamic organizational thinking to real-world dilemmas.

  • We are committed to cultivating a community of people who are interested in group relations and using group relations thinking to erode barriers to dialogue and belonging.

Join or Renew your CSGSS membership

See our membership page for information on how to join CSGSS. Or, renew your membership now.

Meet Our Board

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Rebecca Abell, PsyD, CGP, CSGSS President, is a licensed clinical psychologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. She is a certified consultant with the A.K. Rice Institute, member of the Washington-Baltimore Center, and also serves on the board of the Mid-Atlantic Group Psychotherapy Society.

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Glenn, CSGSS Treasurer and President-Elect, is the Senior Director of Organization and Talent Development for Equity Residential, a Real Estate Investment Trust, and has over 25 years of HR/OD experience. He has both a Masters and Doctorate in Leadership and Organizational Psychology from William James College in Boston. While studying at William James, he has taken group relations courses, attended conferences and received Whole Systems Consulting training through AKRI. He uses group relations as a diagnostic lens for coaching, consulting and facilitation. He is an avid reader, classical music and opera enthusiast, theater lover and life-long learner. He lives in Washington, DC  

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Marc, CSGSS Member-At-Large brings over 40 years of experience as an organizational clinician focused on leadership and organizational development. He has worked around the world helping for profit and nonprofit executives, boards and senior managers develop and transform their organizations. Marc teaches organizational psychology and sits on a number of boards. Prior to consulting, he held executive positions at AT&T, Westinghouse Electric Company, NYNEX Corporation (Verizon) and Music Mining Co. Marc is a former musician known for his selective yet abundant coffee consumption, collection of whiskey and over 4000 vinyl records.

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Rosette Cirillo, Ed.M., CSGSS Member-At-Large, is a Phd Student at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, studying Philosophy of Education, Ethics and Education, and Historiography in the Curriculum & Instruction department. As a former Chelsea public schools teacher, she believes that studying group dynamics and social systems is essential for educators, school leaders, and policy makers. She is a consultant at Leadership Lab International and serves on the CSGSS board as a Member-At-Large. 

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Tanya Lewis, CSGSS Secretary, has a PhD from the University of Toronto in critical theory. She is the Director of Coaching for Bureau Kensington and has been interested in group relations for the past eight years. Tanya worked in university administration in equity issues.
 
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Joshua DeSilva, PsyD, CGP (they/them) is a licensed psychologist in Virginia and DC and identifies as a nonbinary Latine person of queer experience. Professionally, Dr. DeSilva (Josh) is the Associate Director and Director of Training at American University Counseling Center. Josh feels lucky to be a part of the future of psychology in this role. They were appointed by Governor Ralph Northam to serve as a Member of the Virginia Latino Advisory Board and currently serve as Vice Chair of the Board. In this role, it is an honor for Josh to connect with Latinx folx across Virginia and to advise the Governor and General Assembly on Latinx Affairs. Josh is a member of AKRI and the Washington Baltimore Center for Group Relations (WBC) in addition to CSGSS