2027 Cycle 1 PPRG information
Ever wish to be part of a reflective practice group of like-minded GPs?
ASPM Professional Peer Reflection Groups (PPRGs) are safe containers where you can:
- Bring the complexity of your clinical work and think deeply as you process your work challenges and dilemmas; with trusted colleagues
- Feel supported in the challenges of whole-person care, so you no longer feel alone in carrying this work.
For psychologists and other mental health professionals, regular supervision and reflective practice have long been embedded in professional life.
For GPs, these opportunities can be much harder to find.
ASPM’s Professional Peer Reflection Groups (PPRGs) offer just such a space.
At the heart of ASPM’s work in psychological medicine, PPRGs bring together small groups of GPs in a safe, facilitated environment to reflect on the relational and personal dimensions of their work.
Guided by experienced GP facilitators, participants are invited to explore not only what is happening for the patient, but also what is happening in the therapeutic relationship, and within ourselves as clinicians.
Through curiosity, shared wisdom and thoughtful reflection, we gain greater insight into our patients, ourselves and the relationships at the heart of our work.
Join an ASPM Professional Peer Reflection Group – a space to reflect, to grow, and to rediscover the rewards of being a GP.
Join a PPRG in 2027
- Small, confidential online groups of up to eight GPs
- Five monthly facilitated sessions
- Experienced GP facilitators working in psychological medicine
- Eligible for Reviewing Performance and Measuring Outcomes CPD hours
- $500 for ASPM members | $750 for non-members
- Early bird discount of $50 until 20 December 2026
Registrations now open!
Upcoming groups
Second Monday of the month (starting Feb 2027)
08 Feb 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEDT)
08 Mar 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEDT)
12 Apr 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEST)
10 May 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEST)
14 Jun 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEST)
Assoc Prof Louise Stone
Louise is a GP and Associate Professor in the academic unit of General Practice at the Australian National University Medical School.
She has a clinical, research, teaching and policy interest in mental health, and has developed and led a number of mental health training programs.
She is a clinical lead in the masters of psychiatric medicine program at NSW Health, and her PhD explored the ways GPs assess and manage medically unexplained symptoms.
Second Friday morning & afternoon of the month (starting Feb 2027)
GROUP 1: MORNINGS
12 Feb 9:00am - 10:30am (AEDT)
12 Mar 9:00am - 10:30am (AEDT)
09 Apr 8:00am - 9:30am (AEST)
14 May 8:00am - 9:30am (AEST)
11 Jun 8:00am - 9:30am (AEST)
GROUP 2: AFTERNOONS
12 Feb 1:00pm - 2:30pm (AEDT)
12 Mar 1:00pm - 2:30pm (AEDT)
09 Apr 12:00pm - 1:30pm (AEST)
14 May 12:00pm - 1:30pm (AEST)
11 Jun 12:00pm - 1:30pm (AEST)
Dr Johanna Lynch
Dr Johanna Lunch as a GP of 30 years who has spent the last 15 years of her clinical work caring for adult survivors of childhood trauma and neglect. She graduated from UQ in 1992, was awarded a Fellowship of The Royal College of General Practitioners in 2003, and became Fellow of the Australian Society of Psychological Medicine in 2016. She founded a transdisciplinary trauma-informed clinic in Brisbane names Integrate Place which operated from 2009-2013 offering psychology, social work, trauma-informed yoga, art therapy and mental health nurse support. In 2012, Johanna wrote a paper urging GPs to look beyond symptoms to the whole person, influencing training of Australian GPs in mental health, mental health policy, and leading to invitations to contribute internationally.
In 2019 she completed a PhD in whole person approaches to distress, championing the sophisticated craft of generalist approaches to distress - integrating social science and biomedicine. This PhD, entitled Sense of Safety: a whole person approach to distress in primary care sought to integrate trauma-informed care into primary care. It has been published into a book and received international acclaim from primary researches.Third Thursday lunch time (starting Feb 2027)
18 Feb 12:30pm - 2:00pm (AEDT)
18 Mar 12:30pm - 2:00pm (AEDT)
15 Apr 12:30pm - 2:00pm (AEST)
20 May 12:30pm - 2:00pm (AEST)
17 Jun 12:30pm - 2:00pm (AEST)
Dr Cathy Andronis
MBBS, FRACGP, Dip Family Therapy, Master of Couple and Relationship Counselling, Clinical Family Therapist (AAFT). Member ACEFT, ICEFT.
Dr. Cathy graduated with her medical degree from the University of Melbourne in 1987 and has been with AccessHC since 2001. Dr Cathy’s areas of specialty are General and Family Medicine, Mental Health including Psychological Therapy, Women’s health as well as Adolescent Health. Her patients appreciate her thoroughness, knowledge and ability to communicate, along with her warm and friendly nature.
Dr. Cathy is a Fellow of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. She also participates in many other professional associations; Australian Association of Family Therapists; Australian Society of Psychological Medicine; Clinical tutor Eastern Health Medical School (Monash University); Medical Educator RACGP and ASPM. Dr. Cathy has spent much of her time giving back to the community and actively participates as a RACGP representative for Mental Health Australia.
Dr. Cathy has a partner and three adult children. Dr Andronis enjoys spending time with her family and friends, along with travelling.
Various Saturday Mornings (starting Feb 2027)
20 Feb 2:00pm - 3:30pm (AEDT)
20 Mar 2:00pm - 3:30pm (AEDT)
17 Apr 2:00pm - 3:30pm (AEST)
15 May 2:00pm - 3:30pm (AEST)
19 Jun 2:00pm - 3:30pm (AEST)
Dr Susan Barnett
MBBS, FRACGP, FASPM
Dr Susan Barnett has been a General Practitioner since 2003 and completed her Focussed Psychological Skills training in 2014. She is a GP psychotherapist in private practice and also works at Monash Hospital, Melbourne as a psychosexual therapist.
Susan currently serves as Education Chair and Board Member for the Australian Society for Psychological Medicine (ASPM). She is actively involved in developing and delivering psychological medicine education for both ASPM and the RACGP . She previously worked as a medical educator
with the Black Dog Institute. Susan contributes to ASPM’s monthly webinar series and facilitates both FPS training and Psychological Peer Review Groups (PPRGs). She is passionate about translating current psychological
evidence into practical insights that help GPs understand interpersonal dynamics and support patients experiencing emotional distress.
First Monday evenings (starting March 2027)
01 Mar 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEDT)
05 Apr 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEST)
03 May 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEST)
07 Jun 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEST)
05 Jul 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEST)
PPRG with Specific Focus: Eating Disorders
Dr Karen Spielman
MB BS (Hons) FRACGP, CEDC, FASPM
Karen practices person-centred psychologically-informed medicine and works part time in general practice alongside this specialist practice. She is interested in chronic complex medical conditions including eating disorders and has expertise in mental health, youth health and trauma-informed care.
Above all she values collaborating with like-minded psychologists and other health practitioners as she understands that the more the team communicates and is on the same page, the better the care and outcome is for the patient/consumer.
As far as Eating Disorders go, she believes that they are an example of a situation where the mind and body are equally important and interconnected and that the provision of respectful, informed, collaborative medical care is vital in treatment and recovery.
First Monday evenings (starting March 2027)
01 Mar 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEDT)
05 Apr 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEST)
03 May 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEST)
07 Jun 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEST)
05 Jul 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEST)
Dr Pansy Lai
MBBS | FRACGP | MPsychother | FASPM
Dr Pansy Lai is a Mental Health GP with over 20 years' experience and over time has developed a special interest in psychological medicine. She also provides mental health assessments and treatment across various conditions, including depression, anxiety, neurodivergence and complex trauma, combining her clinical expertise with a deep understanding of interpersonal relationships. She combines medication strategies with trauma-informed psychotherapy utilising internal family systems therapy (Level 1), person-centered therapy, neuroscience, dialectial behaviour therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy. She also is fluent in mandarin and Cantonese.
Pansy has completed her Masters of Psychotherapy and is an accredited Level 2 Provider of Psychological Strategies (FPS).FAQs
1. Can I get a “make up” session or change groups half way if I become unavailable for the dates of the PPRG I signed up for?
Our hope is that members stay constant throughout the half year cycle. This promotes relationship safety to help members to feel able to open up and present their cases, which can sometimes feel quite vulnerable.
As a result, please note that if a member signs up to a group, they are expected to stay as a member of the same group. We are also unable to provide a “make-up” session, if a member misses the session they originally signed up for. This keeps groups stable and consistent for existing group members.
2. How can I access the early bird rate? Is it for members only?
Early bird rate will be available only to members who register before the early bird rate deadline as advertised.
3. Are PPRG groups confidential?
PPRGs are confidential and intended to be safe spaces for participants to share sensitive information. We ask that participants do not share information discussed within our PPRGs. To respect the privacy of these sessions, we ask that no AI transcription tools or recordings be used during sessions.