About CCSGO
The Chicago Center for the Study of Groups and Organizations (CCSGO) is a Chicago-based affiliate of the A.K. Rice Institute, supporting the study of group dynamics, leadership, and organizational life through experiential learning in the Tavistock tradition.
CCSGO brings together clinicians, consultants, educators, organizational leaders, and others interested in understanding how groups and systems shape human experience. Through conferences, training programs, events, and community, we create opportunities for meaningful study, reflection, and engagement.
Our History
For more than three decades, CCSGO has supported the study of group dynamics, leadership, and organizational life in Chicago. Explore key moments in our history below.
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CCSGO was founded in 1989 by Solomon Cytrynbaum and Robert Lipgar, affiliated with Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, respectively. From its beginnings, CCSGO served as a Chicago-based home for the study and development of Group Relations thought, fostering connections between graduate training programs, practitioners, and the broader organizational community.
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CCSGO sponsored Group Relations conferences, peer consultation groups, and consultant development opportunities, helping sustain and grow Group Relations work in Chicago.
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CCSGO continued to support ongoing study, professional connection, and organizational learning through programming and collaboration.
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CCSGO is actively expanding its programming, membership, and organizational infrastructure while exploring how Group Relations work can remain relevant, accessible, and responsive in a changing world.
Why Chicago?
Chicago has a long and meaningful history in Group Relations work, with generations of practitioners contributing to the study of leadership, authority, and organizational life.
CCSGO exists to sustain and evolve that tradition while creating space for new voices, new questions, and contemporary applications of Group Relations thinking.
Governance
Transparency is an important part of organizational life. CCSGO’s bylaws outline the organization’s governance structure, leadership roles, and decision-making framework. They are available here for members, applicants, and others interested in understanding how the organization is structured.
Current Board Members
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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 has created programming for many treatment centers, including Suncloud Health and Working Sobriety Chicago. He is a part-time faculty member at Loyola University Chicago, School of Social Work, Roosevelt University, Department of Psychology, 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 the 2018 book Healing in Action: Adventure-Based Counseling with Therapy Groups. He is co-author along with Phil Flores and Jeffrey Roth, of the 4th Edition of Group Psychotherapy with Addicted Populations, published by Routledge in 2023. He is also co-author of a manual based on this book, scheduled for publication by Routledge in 2026. He is a longtime member of AKRI and CCSGO and he is a fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association. Barney is the founder of Adventure Forward Therapy, practice dedicated to integrating physical activity into the
therapeutic process.
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Matthew Frantz, LCPC, is a psychotherapist in private practice in Chicago. He holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University and is licensed in Illinois. His practice is informed by psychodynamic and relational approaches, and he provides individual and group psychotherapy, including ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. He has completed postgraduate study at the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis, the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute, and the Psychedelic Research and Training Institute.
He has participated in numerous Group Relations conferences as both a member and staff and currently serves as Vice President and President-elect of the Chicago Center for the Study of Groups and Organizations (CCSGO).
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Dr. Courtney Washington is a Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor at Northern Michigan University in Marquette Michigan (Courtney Washington | Department of Psychological Science). She is developing a research lab at NMU with a focus on sexual health and sexual decision making. Dr. Washington provides direct care virtually, focused on sexual health through Parkview Behavioral Health Institute in Fort Wayne Indiana (Roles, expectations and the state of women’s mental health | Parkview Health).
She serves on the board of CCSGO, as secretary and the A.K. Rice Institute Board, as Vice President. (Courtney Washington). Clinically, she operates from an integrative psychodynamic, feminist, existential, and group relations model. Her clinical research interests include sexual health, social justice, LGBTQ+ issues, and gender issues. In her personal life she enjoys building a small sustainable homestead with her partner and their dogs Sigmund and Marco
IG: @kccountryacres
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Mr. Hoffman is an experienced therapist, and business and organizational coach working with individuals, teams, businesses, and families focused on empowerment and leadership. He is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and graduate of the Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University. Mr. Hoffman a Certified Public Account (CPA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) who has worked with private and family-owned businesses to develop high performing C-suite executives, teams and organizations.
Mark’s passion is focused on helping others develop insights and build internal strengths to
better align their decision making, communication and behavioral choices with their goals. In a
confidential, empathetic, honest and non-judgmental environment, clients can safely explore
their needs, wants and desires, and build more self-awareness and self- confidence to choose to live more satisfying lives and have more fulfilling relationships.
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Diana Castañeda is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). After graduating from Northwestern University with a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, she spent 11 years in community mental health in ascending levels of leadership, eventually becoming a director overseeing mental health services for youth and families as well as crisis services. She is now in private practice with a specialty in trauma-informed care. She has been doing group relations work in the Tavistock tradition since her undergraduate studies.
In addition to being a board member of CCSGO, she is also a group facilitator at the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis & Psychotherapy.
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John Fiene, LCSW, is the founder and Clinical Director of Wicker Park Therapy Group, where he provides psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, and clinical supervision. As a clinical social worker, John has consulted to groups in schools, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations throughout the Chicagoland area. His work is work is grounded in a relational, embodied approach informed by contemporary psychoanalytic thought, intersectionality, and systems theory.
He is an analyst-in-training at the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute, where he serves as the student representative to the Board. He is also a board member of the Chicago Center for the Study of Groups and Organizations (CCSGO).
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Gary Friend completed the counseling psychology program at Northwestern University while working full-time as a podiatric surgeon. His introduction to Group Relations occurred at Northwestern, where he participated in Conferences as both a member and later as staff. He discovered that Group Relations theory was highly relevant to his group medical practice. Gary went on to serve on staff at multiple Conferences and acted as Associate Director for two undergraduate Conferences at Northwestern. After retiring from medicine, Gary continues his counseling work with Marianny Arribas and Associates, focusing on couples and marital therapy. He currently serves as Membership Chair of CCSGO.
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Dr. Taylor Mizuno-Moore is the owner and founder of Longboarders LLC. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), organizational consultant, and musician. She is also a Partner at Deadstock Hospitality and an Affiliate Professor in the Masters of Counseling and the Masters of Marriage & Family Therapy programs at Northwestern University. Dr. Mizuno-Moore attended the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). She earned her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University and a Doctorate (EdD) in Organizational Psychology with a specialization in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California (USC). She also completed a Clinical Research Fellowship at Yale University’s Child Study Center in Anxiety and Mood Disorders. Her current research explores the integration of group relations theory and ambient anxiety and its influence on organizational efficiency. Dr. Mizuno-Moore is on the Board of the Chicago Center for the Study of Groups and Organizations (CCSGO) and is an active member of the A.K. Rice Institute for the Study of Social Systems (AKRI). She has served on staff in multiple Group Relations Conferences (GRCs) in the Tavistock Tradition.
IG: @the_longboarders
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