Candidates for APA President
To what extent do you believe that there is a gap between clinical research and real-world practice? If there is such a gap, what do you believe accounts for it, and what do you think should be done to address it?
In my opinion, most psychologists utilize scientific evidence to guide their work whenever possible; however, I believe many practitioners are angry and defensive in the presence of those clinical researchers whom they perceive as defining terms like "empirical" and "ethically appropriate interventions" so narrowly as to theoretically prevent practitioners from offering assistance to the vast majority of clients who enter their offices. In the interest of developing a more trusting, cooperative and mutually beneficial partnership between science and practice, I would support the establishment of the type of national science-practice network developed by Dr. Ragusea and his colleagues in Pennsylvania.
Given the recent adoption of the Multicultural Guidelines by APA and the role of psychologists as change agents, how do you envision using the guidelines to promote psychology's interests in public policy at the local, state and national level?
It's in our interest to have psychology look more like America, and it is in our interest to encourage multicultural sensitivity, knowledge and understanding and to provide culturally appropriate skills in our clinical practices, education and research. APA can help psychologists become proactive forces for changes at a state and local level! By offering ongoing training and support to state-provincial psychological associations, APA could be encouraging psychologists to more constructively inject their knowledge, research and expertise into policy deliberations regarding education, health care, juvenile justice, aging, racism, violence, social justice, diversity and an endless range of other important societal concerns.
