INTERNAll0NALJOURNAL OF GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY. 49(1 ) 1999 LEONARD HORWITZ, Ph .D . I have participated in numerous ex p e riential training groups over the yea rs both as a leader and as a member. I can assure yo u that the most vivid m emories I have come from those that I experienced as a member. They have been among the most important learning experiences that I have had during my career. Let me try to explain why training groups are so valuable for a group therapist. First, yo u will have the opportunity to understand in depth through direct experience the kind of inner struggles patients undergo as they attempt to form relationships and use a group for personal growth. I still remember vividly my fears of diving into the uncertain waters of these groups, and I knew that I either screw ed m y courage to the sticking post and entered into the fra y or left th e group feeling like I did not have the guts to risk exposing an aspect of my personal life that perhaps portrayed me in a less than favorable light. When I thought about it, there were plenty of issues in my personal life to discuss-problems with colleagues, bosses, parents, children, spouse-but did I want to share any of them with a group of strangers? How would the y react? Would I be criticized , humiliated or the worst of all-ignored? Would everyone at American Group Psychotherap y Association (AGPA)...