Featured Psychologist
Art Blume, PhD, is an American Indian (Cherokee and Choctaw) member of the American Psychological Association who investigates substance abuse and how to intervene upon it in culturally appropriate ways. He earned his PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle, and while in the program, was part of the Journey of the Circles (a Native American substance abuse intervention program) research team, worked at Indian Child Welfare Services on the Tulalip Reservation during clinical practicum, and spent part of his clinical internship year at the Seattle Indian Health Board. He is currently professor of psychology at Washington State University.
Blume's research involves the use of community-based participatory methods that include community stakeholders in the development, implementation and dissemination of research projects meant to help the community being investigated, as well as be sustainable in that community. His research has been funded by research institutions within the National Institutes of Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Most recently he has been interested in how more subtle forms of prejudice and stereotyping, referred to as microaggressions, have been associated with alcohol abuse and other mental health concerns. He also continues to work with other researchers (native and non-native) to improve substance abuse interventions in Indian country.
Most of his publications are at the intersection of multicultural psychology and addiction science. His book, "Treating Drug Problems," is a recommended read for addiction counselors seeking national certification in the U.S. He has also published on ethics and public policy, as well mentoring graduate students of color. Presently, he is editing a three-volume book series entitled "Social Issues in living color: Challenges and solutions from the perspective of ethnic minority psychology," to be published by Praeger in 2016.
Blume is a member of Div. 45 (Culture, Ethnicity and Race) and Div. 50 (Addictions), as well as Div. 12 (Clinical Psychology). He is an outgoing associate editor of Div. 45's official journal Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. He also continues to serve as associate editor of the international journal Addictive Behaviors. He has served APA on the Committee of Ethnic Minority Affairs (2007-09) and currently serves as a member of the APA Working Group on Health Disparities among Boys and Men, working closely with Perry Halkitis, PhD, on the substance abuse section of the document. He also has participated in two APA sponsored Science Leadership Conferences and has visited Capitol Hill to advocate for greater funding for research to study addictions and health disparities associated with addictions.
In addition to the service to APA, Blume is president-elect of the Society of Indian Psychologists and will become president of that organization in June 2015. He also serves as a President's Professor at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, consulting with junior investigators who conduct important research in Alaska Native communities. In the past he mentored Native American junior investigators as part of the Native Scientist mentoring program funded by the National Institutes on Drug Abuse and sponsored by the One Sky Center at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Ore. He also sits regularly on federal panels that review grant applications to carry out future substance abuse research, including among Native American communities.