ASGW International Group Work Committee

The International Group Work Committee is Co-Chaired by Ana Puig and Yesim Saatci

Here is a little about us so one can get to know who we are:

	I am currently associate scholar and research director in the Office of Educational Research, College of Education at the University of Florida (UF) and Affiliate Faculty in the School of Human Development and Organizational Studies in Education (Counselor Education Mental Health Counseling Program). I am a licensed mental health counselor and qualified supervisor in the state of Florida and a National Certified Counselor. I also hold a Spirituality and Health certificate from the Center for Spirituality and Health at UF. My research areas are counselor burnout (international research) and wellness and complementary therapies in counseling. I have over 20 years of clinical experience primarily focused on group counseling with inpatient and outpatient clients struggling with a variety of issues.
Ana Puig University of Florida
	I am currently a doctoral candidate at Texas A&M University- Commerce. My research interest includes suicide, grief and loss. I am a National Certified Counselor (NCC). I am highly interested and strongly believe in the practice of group work in the healing process and personal growth experience. As a school counselor, I have experience practicing group work in schools and colleges in Louisiana and Texas. While I was running groups at Nexus Recovery Center helping addicted women, I gained tremendous knowledge and experience about drug and alcohol addiction and witnessed how group work helped these ladies re-gain the ability to sustain their lives.  I have been a member of ASGW and ACA for the last 10 years. I work with adults, adolescents and children as well as variety of international populations.
Yesim Saatci Texas A&M University Commerce

Vision and Mission

Our vision and mission is to enhance the education, outreach, collaboration, and service of/with international students and faculty at targeted US and international universities and clinical sites. We will promote outreach across cultural, racial, ethnic groups nationally and internationally; enhance multicultural; competencies and social justice initiatives through group work.

Current Activities

We plan to host a small gathering of ASGW members (at the ACA 2012 conference) interested in International initiatives involving research, teaching, and outreach/service. All ASGW members who want to contribute ideas, experiences, and/or learn more about International work and collaboration are asked to contact Ana Puig or Yesim Saatci for details.  

We plan to create an International Group Work Interest network via a dedicated list serve to enhance communication and collaboration among interested national and international graduate students scholars and practitioners.

We will be gathering information about current international outreach activities by ASGW members and gauging interest to develop additional International Outreach Projects (e.g., ASGW delegation to targeted countries; Scholar-in-Residence Program (similar to Fulbright) to enhance research collaboration, education, and service). Your ideas are welcomed!

We are in discussions with Chris McCarthy, JSGW Editor to consider a special issue of focused on international research, outreach, and practice. Stay tuned for details!

If you would like to provide us with feedback, email Ana (anapuig@coe.ufl.edu) or Yesim (yesimsa@hotmail.com).