Teri Strong, PhD, for her extensive history of leadership and service both with the Oregon Psychological Association and APA. Within OPA and Oregon, Strong has been a true leader over the years by serving in countless roles, including, past-president, chairing the legislative committee for two years, and serving on the mental health parity rules writing committee. Regarding APA, she currently serves on the Membership Board and, in 2018, ended her term on the Council of Representatives leadership team (CLT). While serving for two terms on APA council she also served as chair of several caucuses.
She describes her time in these roles as “inspiring.” She truly believes in the impact that can be made by building relationships that lead to collaborations and possibilities for improving the profession.
Strong’s tireless professional involvements have been driven by her desire to have an impact on society and increase access to equitable and quality mental health care to all communities. In 2014 she began a collaboration with a large medical group that had received federal and state grant funding to establish integrated behavioral health services in their primary care clinics. Her approach is featured in the February 2019 issue of an APA Monitor on Psychology article because it can serve as a model for forging relationships with physician practices and for integrated care.
Strong’s practice has a strong social justice mission: To make available services to all, including those who might otherwise not seek mental health care, that is, low-income individuals and those from communities of color.
For her passion and drive to remove barriers to care and to increase access to care, for her work with early career psychologists who wish to treat within a mission-driven integrated care model, and for being a mentor to so many others, I present this presidential citation to Teri Strong, PhD.