2027 Cycle 1 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 Monday, 2 November 2026
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS ($50 off) closes 20 December 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
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.
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.