Everyday advocacy: Taking small actions that add up to meaningful change

For most of his career, Duke Han, PhD, has focused mainly on his research program, which centers on cognitive aging and early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. But when massive National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget cuts threatened the future of that work, Han joined other APA Council of Representatives members on Hill Day, where he spoke to members of Congress about the dangers of slashing funds.

In February, Han told congressional leaders that he is often asked by research participants whether there is any hope for treating or curing Alzheimer’s disease—and that, based on recent breakthroughs, for the first time in the 20 years he has studied the disease, his answer was yes. But pulling support from NIH would devastate that progress.

“Being a part of Hill Day was one of the most meaningful professional activities I’ve ever done, particularly given the current times,” said Han, who is a professor of psychology and family medicine at the University of Southern California. “I’ve never seen this level of threat to scientific progress, and it’s been really sobering to come to terms with.”

[Related: Psychologists’ guide to advocacy]

Standing up for science doesn’t require a trip to Capitol Hill. Everyday actions—talking with a neighbor, sharing accurate information on social media, and emailing members of Congress—are also forms of advocacy.

“While large-scale advocacy garners attention, it’s often the smaller, consistent efforts that sustain progress,” said Katherine B. McGuire, APA’s chief advocacy officer. “Psychologists advocating for equitable mental health resources in schools or providing expert insights on local policy initiatives play a critical role in shaping healthier communities. Every action adds up.”

Psychologists already have the skills to succeed with advocacy, which at its core is about conversations and relationships, said Megan Mooney, PhD, a psychologist in private practice in Houston, Texas, whose advocacy work focuses on supporting LGBTQ+ youth. “Relationships are what move the ball forward on topics where we know the science is solid,” she said.

Beyond the skills they possess, some argue psychologists also have an ethical imperative to engage in advocacy that advances societal well-being—even in small ways.

“I believe that advocacy is no longer a choice. It really is a duty and responsibility to the next generation,” said Ana M. Ureña Rosario, PhD, who graduated from Alliant International University in San Diego in May and chairs the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students. “This is a time when we must use our voices to create change.”

Lessons on advocacy

These prompts can support high school and undergraduate educators in discussing psychological advocacy in the classroom.

1. What are some current social or political issues where sharing psychological insights could make a difference? How might psychologists get involved?

Getting started can be as simple as diving deeper into a cause that feels personally or professionally relevant. “Focusing on the things that are of interest to you, that you’re already passionate about, is the easiest way to move forward in the advocacy world,” Mooney said.

For Amy R. Beck, PhD, that opportunity came during her first job after graduate school. Working as a pediatric psychologist with an underserved population, she treated children who faced high rates of poverty, obesity, and weight stigma. She soon realized that most of those issues could not be solved in the therapy room.

“My job is to treat these children, but if the thing causing the problem is systemic, then my job is actually to treat the system, meaning advocacy is medically necessary,” said Beck, who is based in Kansas City, Missouri, and now works as a clinical psychologist at the Black Girl Doctor, a virtual therapy practice that specializes in the mental health and wellness of professional Black women.

Beck joined the Missouri Psychological Association, where she is now the legislative chair and federal advocacy coordinator, a liaison that organizes psychologists at the state level to help advance APA’s federal advocacy priorities. After more than a decade on the ground in a red state, Beck gained firsthand insights into what works in today’s political climate. Often, that’s a low-profile approach.

“People tend to think advocacy is just being as loud as you can be in as many places as possible,” she said. “There are times to be loud, but there’s also a lot of work that can be done quietly and behind the scenes.”

For example, when federal funding for medical education at children’s hospitals was on the chopping block in 2023, Beck was outraged. She quickly penned an op-ed to draw public attention to the issue. But a senior colleague gently explained that a quieter strategy was likely to be more effective. Beck shifted course and developed a campaign urging members of APA Division 54 (Society of Pediatric Psychology) to write letters to Congress about how cutting funding would undermine pediatric psychology practice. In the end, the funding was granted, with very little publicity on the issue.

Psychologists tend to shy away from advocacy work for several reasons: They feel they don’t have time, they fear it won’t boost their career (or even worse, could threaten their job security), and they worry that they lack the training to make real change. Mooney has answers for each of those concerns. Small actions hold value, most institutions value employees who stand up for science in an appropriate way, and psychologists already have many of the skills required to do advocacy work. Active listening, flexible thinking, emotion regulation, relationship building, and the ability to communicate science to nonexperts—these are the makings of an effective advocate.

“Psychologists are uniquely equipped to advocate for change. Their training in understanding human behavior, effective communication, and conflict resolution allows them to engage policymakers with evidence-based solutions,” McGuire said. “Applying psychological science to public policy is not just valuable—it’s essential.”

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to advocacy. Whatever your career stage, work setting, or time constraints, you can make an impact. Here’s advice from seasoned advocates on how to do so effectively.

Start simply by talking about what matters

To build confidence, Mooney suggests speaking with friends, family, or neighbors about issues that matter to you as a psychologist. “Focus on evidence-based care, science, and social justice issues. Simply having conversations is a form of advocacy,” she said.

For example, when Beck hears people make judgments about others based on their body size, she shares what she knows about the psychological harms of weight stigma.

Join your state, provincial, or territorial psychological association (SPTA)

“People may not realize that as a dues-paying member of their professional guild, they are already supporting advocacy efforts,” said Molly Gabriel-Champine, PhD, a clinical psychologist who directs the behavioral medicine training program for internal medicine residents at McLaren Flint Hospital in Michigan. “A significant portion of dues supports the SPTA’s advocacy efforts to benefit the profession, such as seeking to raise reimbursement rates or securing federal funding for psychology trainees.”

Next, find a committee or task force that aligns with your interests. Most SPTAs have one focused on advocacy or legislative affairs, but other groups—such as the insurance committee—often take on advocacy work, too. Students and early career professionals are welcome, and joining usually doesn’t require a significant time commitment, said Gabriel-Champine, who is the federal advocacy coordinator for the Michigan Psychological Association.

Support APA’s federal advocacy efforts by signing up for action alerts

APA’s 2025 advocacy priorities include ensuring equitable access to evidence-based health and behavioral health care, strengthening Medicaid and other safety net programs, and promoting human rights in a range of settings. Sign up to stay informed about advocacy actions you can take to support these efforts, such as sending a message to your congressperson. These alerts help psychologists speak out together on issues that matter across the nation. Many SPTAs also provide action alerts.

“Contacting your congressperson about these issues helps show that there’s a groundswell, that this isn’t just a one-off,” Gabriel-Champine said. “It’s a very simple way to get involved, and it really takes just 2 minutes.”

Broaden your idea of what “counts” as advocacy

Legislative policy change—at the local, state, and federal levels—is what comes to mind for most when they hear the word “advocacy.” But advocacy work can take a variety of forms, including amicus briefs that influence legal outcomes (judiciary advocacy), comments on agency rules (regulatory advocacy), and leveraging public opinion to drive policy change (media advocacy).

“Psychologists can even do advocacy work within their organization, for instance, by recommending that institutions amend policies and procedures to align with social and behavioral science,” Mooney said.

Consider getting additional training

When Beck entered the advocacy world, she sought guidance from leaders with more experience. First, she completed civil disobedience training with the Poor People’s Campaignopens in new window, where she even practiced getting arrested. She also accessed The OpEd Projectopens in new window, which offers free and paid virtual resources, where she learned to write opinion pieces and letters to the editor.

Nonprofits, universities, and medical centers typically offer media training to their faculty and staff. APA also offers guidance and training, as do many SPTAs.

“If you’re going to go on the record somewhere, you also have to be mindful of what that means for you and your family. Everybody has their personal risk tolerance for having their name out in the public sphere,” said Mooney, who removed her personal information from various online sources when she began working on a lawsuit to protect gender-affirming care in Texas. APA offers additional guidance for protecting yourself online.

Tailor your approach for your setting and career stage

Many psychologists who work at nonprofits or medical centers refrain from advocacy work because they think it’s against the rules, Mooney said, but that’s typically not true. Communications professionals at your organization can help you find the best approach, such as providing a caveat that you’re speaking as a private citizen when you contact lawmakers or post on social media.

“They can help provide guardrails so that you feel confident you are speaking in a way that represents science and your values within the bounds of what’s acceptable to your employer,” Mooney said.

Students often worry that they lack the expertise to advocate, but Ureña Rosario said graduate school is an ideal time to get involved. The California Psychological Association, for example, organizes an annual Lobby Day that students are encouraged to attend.

“It’s really important that we share our stories and our experiences, because it helps decision-makers understand how they can support us. They do care and they want us in these spaces,” Ureña Rosario said.

Tell a story

When Kendra Westerhaus, PhD, finds herself talking to someone with different views, she welcomes the challenge. Taking the view that disagreement likely stems from mismatched values or priorities, she looks for a narrative that can help establish common ground.

“If I can find some commonalities in priorities or values, that’s a good starting point to get us on the same page and working toward a common goal,” said Westerhaus, a child psychologist in Pocatello, Idaho, who is the federal advocacy coordinator for the Idaho Psychological Association.

On a recent visit to Washington, D.C., to lobby to preserve funding for psychology training programs, she faced pushback from legislators whose priority was to balance the federal budget. To illustrate how reducing funding affects constituents, she described the long waiting lists for care in Idaho. A child waiting to be assessed for autism might wait 1, 2, or 3 three years to see a psychologist—missing a critical window of opportunity to intervene early.

“Your representatives want to hear from you. Boots-on-the-ground stories of what you’re seeing generally matter more to them than purely what the data says,” Gabriel-Champine said.

If you’re pressed for time, contribute in other ways

If you only have time to make a financial contribution, that goes a long way, Beck said. Look for a community agency that supports a cause you value, or support APA’s federal advocacy efforts through the Psychology Political Action Committeeopens in new window (Psychology PAC). Psychology PAC is a nonpartisan organization run by APA Services that supports candidates for federal office who back the field of psychology and related societal challenges.

Don’t give up before you start

This work can feel overwhelming at first, “so there’s a tendency to say: I’m not going to do anything,” Beck said. “And that guarantees that nothing will change.”

Instead, take pride in small actions, such as emailing your congressperson, speaking at a community meeting, or supporting a client who is navigating systemic barriers to care.

“Everyday advocacy may not make headlines, but its ripple effects are profound,” McGuire said. “Every conversation is an opportunity to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and influence policy from the ground up.”