Course

GPS Facilitator Training – April - May 2026 – Hybrid Virtual

Join the MASStrong Facilitator Training to learn how to lead trauma-informed, peer support groups that help people feel less alone, more grounded, and able to take on the challenges in their lives.

Format

Live Virtual Sessions and Recordings

Dates

April 28 - May 14, 2026

CEs & CMEs

20 hours 

Price

$1000*

*MASStrong-funded training options may be available for eligible individuals & organizations in Massachusetts. Free for qualified participants.

*Registration is final. Refunds are not available once training has begun, including participation in the first session or access to training content.

About the Training

About
What you will learn
Who should attend
Develop your skills

Bring GPS to Your Community

GPS supports unique communities facing diverse challenges just like yours. 

  • Bereavement support
  • Communities navigating loss, trauma, and harm
  • Faith and spiritual communities
  • Healthcare workers facing burnout, stress & moral injury
  • High school/college students, and school communities 
  • Immigrant and refugee communities
  • Parents and caregivers
  • People in recovery and those impacted by substance use
  • People living with chronic health conditions
  • Unique communities facing diverse challenges

In This Training You Will Learn:

A structured, trauma-informed support group model that is straightforward to implement across settings and populations. The training focuses on core facilitation skills, emotional safety, and responsible adaptation.

Topics include:

  • Facilitating trauma-informed, culturally responsive groups adaptable to many settings and populations

  • Navigating trauma, systemic differences, and identity-related challenges with skill and care

  • Using evidence-informed techniques from CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

  • Creating strengths-based group experiences that build resilience and growth

  • Strengthening group leadership and confidence to lead impactful groups

For people who want to lead support groups, help communities heal from trauma and find connection, and take on the challenges they face 

  • Community health workers
  • Clergy, faith leaders, and volunteer group leaders
  • Educators and school-based staff
  • Employee assistance, human resources, and workplace wellness staff
  • Healthcare, behavioral health, and public health staff
  • Lay leaders and those who want to support communities
  • Nonprofit and community-based organization staff
  • People with lived experience seeking facilitation skills
  • Peer specialists, peer support professionals, and recovery coaches
  • Supervisors, program leaders, and support group staff supporting implementation
  • Adapt the GPS model to different settings, populations, and group formats
  • Apply practical tools informed by CBT, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, and other evidence-based modalities
  • Build a trauma-informed space with guidelines that support safety
  • Build confidence and presence as a group leader
  • Co-create culturally responsive content with communities and participants
  • Facilitate meaningful check-ins that deepen connection
  • Feel confident holding space for the hard-to-say truths that people often carry alone
  • Lead opening and closing practices that help people arrive, settle, and leave grounded
  • Manage challenging situations with steadiness and skill
  • Weave themes across voices to build cohesion and deepen group connection

Program Dates & Information

Opening Practicums
1:00 - 3:30 PM ET


 April 28 | Opening Practicum | LIVE ONLY
 April 29 | Opening Practicum | LIVE ONLY

Select one to attend live. 
April/May Workshops
1:00 - 3:30 PM ET
All workshops are available live or recorded
 Module 1: The Impact of Trauma & the Healing Power of GPS Groups
 Module 2: GPS Mindfulness Rest Stop
 Module 3: GPS Guidelines
 May 7 | Module 4: GPS Realities & Principles
 Module 5: GPS Check In
 May 13 | Module 6: GPS PATH Reflective Listening, Weaving, Grounding, & Closing
 May 14 | Facilitation Applied Skills Session

All workshops are available live or recorded. 
Scholarships Available
Scholarships are always available

 MASStrong: Free for MA Health & Mental Health Care Workers and aligned workers
 Those supporting marginalized communities

If financial challenges prevent you from attending and you can commit to facilitating groups, we encourage you to apply.

Course Overview

Register now and start learning!