12/16/2025
Announcing the 2026 HGPS Institute Keynote Presentation
We are thrilled to introduce the keynote presentation for the 2026 HGPS Institutes, featuring Dr. Paul LePhuoc, licensed psychologist, Certified Group Psychotherapist, and long-time HGPS member and leader within the Houston community.
The Theory of the Cultural Mother: Deepening Our Engagement With Differences
April 17–18, 2026 · United Way of Greater Houston
Dr. LePhuoc will present an in-depth exploration of The Theory of the Cultural Mother, an integrative framework that weaves together sociological and psychological perspectives to help clinicians better understand the collective trauma of racism, systemic inequity, and the emotional nuances of individual development.
The concept of the “Cultural Mother” centers on the unseen yet powerful parental figure that shapes both conscious and unconscious relational dynamics. As expressed in the theory, “our cultural mother doesn’t love all her children equally.” Working with this idea invites clinicians to hold the larger cultural picture in mind while remaining attentive to the lived experiences of individuals. Through this lens, practitioners can deepen their understanding of transference, countertransference, and the ways systemic forces show up in groups and therapeutic relationships.
Dr. LePhuoc brings extensive experience in modern analytic group leadership, racial justice work, and the study of difference in clinical practice. He maintains a full-time private practice in Houston and serves on multiple national and international boards dedicated to advancing group psychotherapy.
Registration opens in January!
More details and registration links will be announced soon. Mark your calendars—this keynote promises to be a meaningful and transformative centerpiece of the 2026 Institutes.
