Question 3
Over the years, many psychologists have left APA because of its lack of attentiveness to and support for psychological researchers. What plans do you have to address this situation?
Psychology is a scientific discipline and much that we do has empirical support. I am sympathetic to the concerns of practicing clinicians (my father spent 40 years in private practice) while also appreciating the contributions of empirical research (it proves our worth). The split between practitioners and scientists is inimical to the interests of each and I will do what I can to heal this breach. I plan to use the empirical literature to document the effectiveness of psychotherapy in the form of clinical practice guidelines, and to work to ensure that training programs can follow flexible pathways to accreditation.
Question 4
What has been the most significant challenge you experienced as a leader, and how did you respond?
When I was still untenured, a senior member of the clinical faculty tried to have a graduate student dropped from the program for specious reasons. He had done this kind of thing in the past (usually when a female graduate student rejected his sexual overtures) and the faculty had always tried to hush things up. I refused to go along and made it clear that I would go public if necessary to put an end to his predatory behavior. The behavior stopped. It is not that hard to put things right if resolute, and sunshine is always the best disinfectant.