Candidates for APA President
How will you support and broaden the science agenda at APA?
The Science Directorate coordinates a broad range of important projects, including examination of IRB issues, awarding of prizes, financing of conferences and summer institutes, and the Decade of Behavior. The Science Leadership Conference, held for the first time this December, was an important step forward in addressing science issues in a broad-based way. All these initiatives deserve support. In addition, taking advantage of the unique strengths of APA, the science agenda needs to prioritize issues that will knit together researchers across divisional boundaries, and that will facilitate dialogue between scientists and the other directorates.
What do you view as the most pressing challenges and opportunities for public and private practice in the next decade?
While there are many specific issues that practice faces concerning matters such as reimbursement and prescription privileges, I see two overarching themes. One theme is: What is the public perception of a practicing psychologist? The other theme is: What are the scientific foundations of practice? These themes are related, and I believe the best "branding" of practicing psychologists will be as experts in the applied science of understanding human behavior, and managing its malleability and plasticity. This definition will guide us in approaching legislators and reimbursors, with the support of a strong public image of our competencies and success stories.
