Candidates for APA President
Q3: What key initiatives do you think will enhance the practice of psychology as a profession in the 21st century?
The 2009 Summit on the Future of Professional Practice is a key initiative to convene practice leaders for the purposes of identifying priorities in private and public settings, resources to address our priorities effectively and means to implement those priorities. Repeated summits will be needed to accomplish our strategic goals and enhance the profession. At the same time, we must continue our ongoing initiatives that support practice expansion: prescriptive authority, primary care, business consultation, diversification, prevention, full inclusion in evolving health systems, intervention research, and partnerships for improved services and visibility. Psychology must operate within and beyond health care.
www.CarolGoodheartForAPAPresident.com
Q4: Some of our members believe that the association should avoid political and moral stands on pressing social issues. What relationship(s) do you see as desirable among psychology, the association and social justice issues?
Social justice reflects my core values and those of our discipline. We have the unique ability to inform public debate with scientific evidence and professional application. Consider our amicus briefs that flow from Council votes and address fundamental matters such as the death penalty, affirmative action, animal research, school desegregation, reproductive rights and rights of the mentally ill. The Supreme Court often cites APA's briefs when ruling on social issues. There may come a time when APA will file a brief on the treatment of detainees, a day I believe our members will welcome. See www.apa.org/psyclaw/issues.html.