Authority, Leadership & Role:
Bringing Mind & Body to Work
Group Relations Conference
May 29-31, 2026
Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL
The Tavistock Approach
The Group Relations Conference (GRC) is an educational event whose primary task is to provide individuals opportunities to study the exercise of authority through interpersonal, intergroup, and institutional relationships that develop within the conference itself as a temporary social system.
The principles and methods of this conference originate from the Center for Applied Social Research, Tavistock Institute of Human Relations in London, England under the leadership of the late A.K. Rice. In 1965, the Washington School of Psychiatry and the Department of Psychiatry of Yale University Medical School introduced conferences to the United States using these principles and methods. The A.K. Rice Institute for the Study of Social Systems, a not-for-profit organization, was established in 1970 to advance knowledge of the dynamics of groups, organizations and social systems.
the Director’s invitation
Barney Straus
This is the first in-person Group Relations Conference to be held in Chicago in five years. I am especially proud to have Roosevelt University as the host sponsor for the event. Roosevelt University was founded on the values of courage, acceptance, and a commitment to social values. These values are consistent with those of group relations, an educational community that also strives to be inclusive and which values perspectives of individuals from diverse backgrounds. In the spirit of both Roosevelt University and the A.K. Rice Institute, all are welcome at this dynamic living institution, which is designed to study itself for the purposes of illuminating leadership and other emergent dynamics in groups.
Another factor that makes this particular group relations conference unique is the integration of Group Challenge Events (GCE’s). Whereas most of the conference is dedicated to studying unconscious processes in groups, the GCE’s give members an opportunity to engage in tasks that are closer to the demands of the real world, in which concrete tasks are continually required of us. Members will therefore be given opportunities to study the group’s behavior in multiple contexts, which promises to provide a rich and enjoyable learning experience for all. Please note that no special athletic ability is required for these events, and they can include people of all ability levels.
Methods & Structure
This conference is designed for individuals who wish to study the exercise of authority in groups and understand more about their own responses to exercising and encountering authority. The conference is organized as a sequence of group and inter-group interactions. Events include experiences in:
Small Study Group (SG) examines the life of an eight to ten- member group as it unfolds. A consultant assists the group with the task.
Large Study Group (LG) consists of all conference members with a team of consultants and meets to study its own behavior in the here-and-now. This simulates processes and dynamics of larger social systems as they struggle with the problems of formation, transition and rapid change.
Institutional Event (IE) Members form their own groups to interact with other member groups and with staff. The primary task of the IE is to study authority, leadership, and overt/covert processes as groups evolve and interact in the here-and-now.
Group Challenge Events (GCE’s) Members of the large and small study groups work together to solve specific physical tasks. These events offer an opportunity to explore how roles may shift as group members focus on accomplishing concrete tasks. These events will be co-led by an administrative team member and a consultant, to assist the group in addressing physical and intangible aspects of the group’s work
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Review and Application Group (RAG) consists of five to seven members with one or two consultants; provides opportunities for members to further reflect on their experiences and roles in the different conference events and relate them to their work roles in community and institutional settings.
Please note: The conference is designed to provide an integrated experience. Learning occurs not only during individual conference events but also from their sequence and relationship to one another; therefore, membership entails a commitment to attend all events.
Learning from Experience
Members of a group relations conference have the opportunity to directly experience:
How people join and engage in group work, delegate and resist authority, and develop roles and reputations.
How people contribute to and obstruct getting the group’s work accomplished.
How members of a group exercise authority, power and influence in meaningful and appropriate ways — both as leaders and as followers.
Group collusion in the creation and enabling of maladaptive roles.
Group cooperation in the creation and enabling of adaptive roles.
In applying the learning from group relations conferences, having two or more people from the same organization attend the conference together is often useful.
Effective leadership and the meaningful exercise of authority require more than intellectual and technical understanding. The Group Relations model in the Tavistock tradition provides a well-defined context within which to examine group-level forces and dynamics as they occur in the here-and-now. As people work in groups, families and other social systems, their participation takes on many different meanings — influencing thoughts, feelings and actions. The confluence of individual meanings powerfully affects the identities, roles and authority we take on in groups, schools, organizations, institutions, communities and society.
directorate
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Barney Straus
CONFERENCE DIRECTOR
Barney Straus is an adventure-based therapist in private practice in Chicago, IL, where he works with individuals and groups to treat people recovering from addictions and compulsive behaviors. Barney is a part-time faculty member at Roosevelt University, Dept. of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, School of Social Work, and New Mexico Highlands University, School of Social Work. Barney is the founder of Adventure Forward Therapy, a practice dedicated to integrating adventure into the therapeutic process. He is the author of Healing in Action: Adventure-Based Counseling with Therapy Groups. He is co-author of the 4th Edition of Group Psychotherapy with Addicted Populations. Fellow, AGPA; Member, and Certified Consultant, AKRI; Board President, CCSGO.
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Diana Castañeda
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Diana Castañeda is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in private practice in Chicago, IL. Her practice specializes in trauma recovery and she works with adults, families, and youth. Diana is a Certified Consultant of the A. K. Rice Institute for the study of social systems. She is also a member of the Washington-Baltimore Center for the Study of Group Relations and the Chicago Center for the Study of Groups and Organizations. Diana serves as a clinical consultant for the fellowship program at the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. She received her degrees from Northwestern University. Diana has served on staff at numerous group relations conferences across the country.
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Sarah Yi
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR ADMINSTRATION
Sarah Yi is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in private practice who works with BIPOC clients in Chicago, IL. Sarah specializes in race & ethnicity, family dynamics, and intergenerational trauma using multicultural, feminist, and systems-based approaches. She received her counseling degree from the Family Institute at Northwestern University in 2016, where she was first exposed to group relations work. Since then Sarah attended an all-women group relations conference as a member and served on staff at numerous Northwestern Tavistock conferences as an administrative member and consultant.
administration
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STAFF
coming soon!
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STAFF
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consultants &
consultants-in-training
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STAFF
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STAFF
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registration
Conference Fees
Registration can be completed below using the online checkout process by selecting the appropriate registration option based on your professional status (e.g., student or early professional, affiliate, standard). The registration deadline is TBA.
Discounts are available to those affiliated with sponsoring organizations; please indicate your affiliation in the registration form. In addition, partial scholarships may be available based on stated need and conference enrollment. Those interested can submit the $30 application fee and a letter of request to mindbodygrc@gmail.com by April 15.
Cancellations made before May 1 will be refunded at 100%, less a $30 administrative fee. Cancellations made after May 1 will be refunded if the spot can be filled by someone from the waiting list.
The conference will be limited to 50 participants. Due to limited space, early registration is encouraged. After the maximum capacity is met, those interested in registering will be placed on a waiting list and notified if a spot opens up.
reference letter
Experiential learning can sometimes be stressful. For the safety of all members, registrants will be required to provide a letter of reference from someone who can attest to their capacity to participate in an intensive learning experience. All registrants are responsible for sending their letters via email to mindbodygrc@gmail.com.
Reference letters should not be sent from parents, partners, and other family members. Suggested recommenders include mental health clinicians, physicians, psychologists, supervisors, mentors, etc.
Continuing Education
Continuing Education (CE) credits will be available for an additional fee of $25, due at registration. Rutgers University will award 20 credits to licensed counselors (LCPC, LMFT) and psychologists* (PhD, PsyD). Loyola University’s School of Social Work will award 20 credits to licensed social workers.
Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
*Instructional level: Introductory
Tier 1
$
STUDENTS & EARLY PROFESSIONALS
‘Early professionals’ refers to those in the first 5 years of their professional career.
Tier 2
$$
affiliates
‘Affiliate’ refers to those who are active members of organizations sponsoring the conference.
Tier 3
$$
Standard
(early bird)
The ‘early bird’ discount is valid through April 30, 2026
Add-On
$25
continuing education
20 CE credits will be awarded to participants who attend all conference events.
FAQ
Location
Roosevelt University’s Chicago campus is located at 430 South Michigan Avenue. In the heart of downtown, the building is opposite Grant Park and convenient to public transportation. Known as the “vertical campus,” the building houses classrooms, administrative offices, and dormitories, as well as a cafeteria and a gym facility. The conference will take place on the third floor of the main building on Michigan Ave.
accommodations
Three-night and four-night options for on-site lodging are available through Roosevelt University. Housing includes a single occupancy dorm room with individual climate control units, bedding* and towels, access to laundry machines, and access to the gym. Two options are available:
Three nights (Thursday through Sunday) — $330
Four nights (Thursday through Monday) — $440
*Bedding provided includes a small pillow, sheets, and a thin blanket; participants are encouraged to bring additional pillows & blankets if needed
food & beverages
Conference registration includes three lunch tickets, one for each day. Snacks and coffee will be also be provided in the Member’s Lounge. The Roosevelt University cafeteria will be open for breakfast and dinner. A list of local restaurants will be provided to conference attendees.
Conference Schedule
Conference Events will take place during the following times:
Friday, May 29, 9:00AM — 7:00PM
Saturday, May 30, 8:30AM — 7:30PM
Sunday, May 31, 8:30AM—4:00PM
Click HERE to view the full schedule.
sponsors
thank you for your support!
The following sponsors have offered their support & investment into this 2026 conference. We want to extend our gratitude to all of those listed below:
