2026 Cycle 2 PPRG information
ASPM: Leading the Way in Reflective Practice
Since 2015, ASPM (The Australian Society of Psychological Medicine) has been at the forefront of promoting Reflective Practice. We have successfully organised Peer Reflection Groups and continue to provide training for group facilitators who now lead professional groups throughout Australia.
Fulfill Your CPD Requirements with ASPM
By joining an ASPM Professional Peer Reflection Group (formerly known as Case Consultation Groups), you can meet your ongoing annual Review Performance CPD requirements. Stay up to date and enhance your professional growth through reflective practice.
Safety, Self-Care, and Professional Development
Joining a Peer Reflection Group offers a supportive environment where you can enhance your practice and professional identity. Here, you will find safety, connection, and self-care.
Expert GP Facilitators
Our group facilitators are experienced General Practitioners with a specialisation in psychological medicine. They understand the unique needs of GPs in their day-to-day practice and are committed to providing valuable guidance.
PPRG General Stream
• Small group format (8 maximum)
• Facilitated case consultations (online)
• Focus on application of Focused Psychological Strategies in the context of day-to-day General Practice
• Whole-person care framework
• 5 monthly sessions for $500 (members) or $750 (non-members)
Registration opens in May 2026
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS ($50 off) closes 1 June 2026.
Join ASPM as a member here to access PPRG member discount as well as free monthly educational webinars.
The facilitator will engage members through creating a safe space for the sharing of thoughts and experiences and to provide collegiate support and wisdom. One or two group participants will have the chance to present a case from their practice each session. Through curious questioning and thoughtful experiencing by the group, the presenter is given the chance to reflect on their work and professional identity in this safe environment.
Upcoming groups
First Friday of the month (starting July 2026)
03 Jul 8:00am - 9:30am (AEST)
07 Aug 8:00am - 9:30am (AEST)
04 Sep 8:00am - 9:30am (AEST)
02 Oct 8:00am - 9:30am (AEST)
06 Nov 8:00am - 9:30am (AEDT)
Dr Pansy Lai
MBBS, FRAGP, MPsychother, FASPM, Mental Health GP
Dr Pansy Lai is a Mental Health General Practitioner based at the Mindsight Clinic in Gordon, Sydney. She has completed a master’s degree in Psychotherapy and integrates medication strategies with trauma-informed psychotherapy in her practice. Dr. Lai provides mental health assessments and treatment across various conditions, combining her clinical expertise with a deep understanding of interpersonal relationships. Her preferred therapeutic modalities include person-centered therapy, neuroscience, internal family systems (IFS Level 1 completed), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). She is a Fellow of ASPM.
Various Thursday mornings (starting July 2026)
16 Jul 9:30am - 11:00am (AEST)
13 Aug 9:30am - 11:00am (AEST)
10 Sep 9:30am - 11:00am (AEST)
08 Oct 9:30am - 11:00am (AEDT)
12 Nov 9:30am - 11:00am (AEDT)
Dr Jo-Anne Zappia
MBBS, MP (Psychiatry), FRACGP, FASPM, DRANZCOG (1995-2025), Cert Clin Hypnosis
Dr Jo-Anne has also attained Recognition of Extended Skills in Psychological Medicine (RES-PM RACGP). She is a Melbourne-based GP with over 30 years’ experience, now practising at her private psychotherapy clinic, Coze Health in Malvern. She focuses on mental health, using a blend of therapeutic approaches and practical insight. A former ASPM Board Member, Jo-Anne enjoys facilitating monthly Professional Peer Reflection Groups for ASPM, as well as providing supervision, psychological support and mentoring in the practice of psychological medicine for individual doctors and small groups privately, and via GPMHSC.
Jo-Anne also enjoys tutoring medical students in the art of Professional Practice and is inspired by their youth and determination to practise medicine well. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, crafts, and reading — she is currently fascinated by reading an historical account of her family’s history written by her father’s cousin.
Third Thursday lunch time (starting July 2026)
16 Jul 12:30pm - 2:00pm (AEST)
20 Aug 12:30pm - 2:00pm (AEST)
17 Sep 12:30pm - 2:00pm (AEST)
15 Oct 12:30pm - 2:00pm (AEDT)
19 Nov 12:30pm - 2:00pm (AEDT)
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 July 2026)
25 Jul 12:30pm - 2:00pm (AEST)
22 Aug 12:30pm - 2:00pm (AEST)
19 Sep 12:30pm - 2:00pm (AEST)
17 Oct 12:30pm - 2:00pm (AEDT)
14 Nov 12:30pm - 2:00pm (AEDT)
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.
Second Monday evenings (starting August 2026)
10 Aug 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEST)
14 Sep 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEST)
12 Oct 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEDT)
09 Nov 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEDT)
14 Dec 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEDT)
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.
First Monday evenings (starting August 2026)
03 Aug 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEST)
07 Sep 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEST)
05 Oct 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEDT)
02 Nov 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEDT)
07 Dec 7:30pm - 9:00pm (AEDT)
PPRG with Specific Focus: Eating Disorder
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.
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.