JOBS: University of St. Thomas, Graduate School of Professional Psychology - Tenure Track - Counseling Psychology

The University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP) is seeking a candidate for a tenure track position in Counseling Psychology, rank open dependent on previous experience, beginning in the fall of 2010.  The Graduate School of Professional Psychology offers an M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology, a certificate program in Marriage & Family Therapy, and an APA-accredited Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology.  We are seeking individuals able to work with adult learners from a diverse student body and among diverse colleagues.

 

Though area of specialization is open, applicants specializing in geropsychology, child psychology, adolescent psychology, and/or applied quantitative methods applied to counseling practice are particularly encouraged to apply. The desired individual will also be able to assist in training students in the Inter-Professional Clinic (http://www.stthomas.edu/ipc/) in assessment and therapy while providing consultation to the Director and IPC students as needed.

 

Teaching responsibilities of this position may include (a) developmental psychology, (b) cognitive affective bases of behavior, (c) applied quantitative methods, (d) biological bases of behavior, (e) psychological assessment, and (f) courses in the candidate's area of expertise.

 

The successful applicant will be expected to pursue an agenda that exemplifies high regard for teaching and service and pursuit of a research program in her or his area of interest consistent with a practitioner-scholar model of training. He or she will also be available to advise students and to become involved in departmental, university, and community activities.

A doctoral degree in Counseling or Clinical Psychology is required. Applicants must be licensed or license eligible in the State of Minnesota at the time of hire.

 

Applications will begin to be reviewed December 1, 2009 and the position will remain open until filled.  Interested individuals should submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae electronically at http://jobs.stthomas.edu.  In addition, please submit (1) a statement of teaching philosophy including implications for teaching in a Catholic University, (2) evidence of successful teaching experience, (3) a description of professional practice and scholarly interests, and (4) names of at least three references online or to the GSPP Search Committee, c/o Laurie Dupont, University of St. Thomas, GSPP, TMH 450, 1000 LaSalle Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

 

Established in 1885, the University of St. Thomas is located in the major metropolitan area of Minneapolis-St. Paul, and is Minnesota's largest private university. Its 11,000 students pursue degrees in a wide range of liberal arts, professional, and graduate programs.

Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good, and seeks to develop individuals who combine career competency with cultural awareness and intellectual curiosity. The successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.

The University of St. Thomas has a strong commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusion, to equal opportunity policies and practices, and to the principles and goals of affirmative action. In that spirit, the University welcomes nominations and applications from a broad and diverse applicant pool.

The University of St. Thomas offers a generous benefits package. More detailed information is available on the University of St. Thomas, Department of Human Resources website, www.stthomas.edu/hr.  

 

 

Patricia Stankovitch, Psy.D., LP

Director of Psychological Services

Interprofessional Center for Counseling

and Legal Services

1128 Harmon Place, Suite 100

Minneapolis, MN 55403-2015

Phone:  651-962-4816

Fax: 651-962-4815

 

Confidentiality Notice

This email and any files transmitted with it may contain confidential or privileged information.  It is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.  If you are not the intended recipient or the individual responsible for delivering the email to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify us by telephone at 651-962-4820, and delete the original message.

 

 

 

 

           

 

FUNDING -- NIH Pioneer Award

Dear colleagues:  By now many of you are aware of this terrific NIH award for innovative research, supported by the NIH Common Fund.  The NIH Director’s Pioneer Award Program complements NIH's traditional, investigator-initiated grant programs by supporting individual scientists of exceptional creativity who propose pioneering and possibly transforming approaches to addressing major biomedical or behavioral challenges. To be considered pioneering, the proposed research must reflect ideas substantially different from those already being pursued in the investigator’s laboratory or elsewhere. Awardees must commit the major portion (at least 51%) of their research effort to activities supported by the Pioneer Award.  The NIH Director’s Pioneer Award Program is a High-Risk Research initiative of Research Teams of the Future. The award is generous: $500,000 in direct costs for each of five years plus applicable facilities and administrative costs.  This note is just to encourage you to take the extra time to apply yourself or to persuade a gifted colleague to do so. The entire discipline of psychology benefits from the exposure given to these award winners.

 

See the application and other information here:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-09-010.html

 

Best of luck to all applicants!

 

 

Patricia Clem Kobor

Sr. Science Policy Analyst

American Psychological Association

750 First Street, NE

Washington, DC 20002

(202) 336-5933

(202) 336-6063-f

pkobor@apa.org

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INFO: Social for early career psychologists in the Boston area

 

This email is for all early career psychologists in the Boston area.

All Early career psychologists in the Boston area are invited to a “Welcome to Boston” potluck event on Sunday, October 4, 2009 on Boston Common at 1:00.

Early career psychologists (ECPs) often make sacrifices that affect their family and personal lives by re-locating. This event was organized with the specific intent to welcome early career psychologists and psychologists-to-be to the great (but sometimes confusing!) city of Boston to offer professional resources and to provide the opportunity to meet and network with other psychologists. Even though we hope to welcome new arrivals, early career psychologists who are not new to Boston are also invited to attend. We also welcome partners, children, other family members, and small pets, as well as psychologists of any discipline who are involved in training, support, mentorship, and/or employing ECPs.

Please contact Renee Hoekstra directly for details: Renee_Hoekstra@yahoo.com.  Our event organizers (Jacqueline Alfonso, Ph.D,  alfonja@emmanuel.edu, Clare Mehta, Ph.D, Clare.Mehta@childrens.harvard.edu, and Sean Moundas, Psy.D, seanmoundas@yahoo.com) are busy with the event preparation,  and hope to make this a memorable welcome.

(After you e-mail Renee, you should get in evite from Sean within 1-2 weeks with details. Renee may not reply directly to your e-mail)

We look forward to seeing you there!

STUDENTS: University of Victoria Doctoral Program in Life-Span Development

Doctoral Graduate Program in Life-Span Development
Department of Psychology
University of Victoria

PROGRAM: Our program focuses on advancing knowledge of the processes of change for individuals across the life span. Topics of research interest include: developmental theories, research methods for investigating life-span change, and such processes as cognition, memory, theories of mind, identity, risk-taking, social relationships, and problem behaviour. Members of our faculty have expertise in childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and aging. Graduates of our program have gone on to pursue careers in academic and research settings, health-related institutions, and program development and evaluation.

FUNDING: Funding is available from a number of sources, including research and teaching assistantships and University of Victoria fellowships. Graduate Fellowships are also available from federal government funding agencies (NSERC, CIHR, and SSHRC), and provincially from the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research. Funding for a limited number of graduate research assistants, including applicants from the U.S., is available for integrative analyses of longitudinal studies of aging, peer victimization, transitions to young adulthood, and Aboriginal health.

FACULTY RESEARCH INTERESTS

Scott M. Hofer, Professor, Mohr Chair in Adult Development and Aging: Lifespan development and aging-related change, integrative analysis of longitudinal studies on aging, developmental research methodology.

David F. Hultsch, Lansdowne Professor: Changes in memory functioning in adulthood and aging; memory self-efficacy in adulthood; cognitive assessment of mildly impaired adults.

Christopher E. Lalonde, Associate Professor: Social-cognitive development; aboriginal health; identity development.
Bonnie J. Leadbeater, Professor: Developmental psychopathology; early social emotional development; gender differences in adolescence.

Stuart MacDonald, Assistant Professor: Individual differences in cognitive aging; cognitive neuroscience of aging.

Ulrich Mueller, Associate Professor: Development of problem solving; development of executive function; social development in infancy and early childhood.

Andrea M. Piccinin, Associate Professor: Developmental research methods; study designs and statistical analysis; longitudinal studies.

Holly Tuokko, Professor and Director, Centre on Aging: Clinical neuropsychology; clinical aging; experimental neuropsychology; life-span development and aging.

CONTACT INFORMATION: To learn more about admission to our doctoral program please visit our website at: http://web.uvic.ca/psyc/. Applications should be submitted by December 15, 2009.

For additional information or if you have questions, contact us at:
Department of Psychology
University of Victoria
PO Box 3050 STN CSC Tel: (250) 721-7525
Victoria BC V8W 3P5 Fax: (250) 721-8929
Canada Email: ptaylor@uvic.ca

_______________________________________________
Scott M. Hofer, Ph.D.
Professor, Mohr Chair in Adult Development and Aging
Dept. of Psychology
University of Victoria
P.O. Box 3050 STN CSC
Victoria, BC V8W 3P5
Canada

Office: (250) 853-3862
Fax: (250) 721-8929
Email: smhofer@uvic.ca
Web: http://web.uvic.ca/psyc/hofer.html
IALSA: http://www.ialsa.org

JOBS/STUDENTS: Postdoctoral Fellowship Available in Aging and Medical Rehabilitation/Health Psychology: UAB

Clinical-Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Available in Aging and Medical Rehabilitation/Health Psychology: UAB

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is accepting applications for 1 one-year Postdoctoral Fellowship (with option to renew for 2-years total) sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in aging and medical rehabilitation/health psychology clinical-research to begin immediately. This position is made available through funds made available from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Responsibilities: The fellow will assist with a variety of clinical-research activities related to several large-scale projects examining targeting older adults: 1) the impact of psychoeducational and health promotion-based interventions on patient and family adjustment to a chronic health condition, 2) the adjustment process related to living with a chronic health condition among older adults and their family caregivers, 3) social problem-solving assessment and process, 4) factors related to resilience in older adult patients with medical conditions, & 5) interventions aimed at minimizing health disparities. Additional responsibilities will be to provide treatment for outpatients referred by a range of medical specialties (e.g., geriatrics, psychiatry, neurology, ophthalmology, family medicine, rehabilitation services, etc.). The fellow will also be able to attend grand rounds and lectures/seminars, and develop their own research applications. Via didactics, mentoring, and research team collaboration, fellows will receive intensive training in project design, knowledge synthesis and translation, intervention design, grant writing, data collection, and data analysis.

The UAB has a well established, integrated network of federally funded clinical research programs relating to aging and adjustment to chronic health conditions and the development of empirically-supported cognitive behavioral therapeutic approaches designed to enhance quality of life, health behaviors, and health outcomes for older adults. This is an excellent opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary academic setting.

Qualifications: Qualified candidates will have completed their requirements for a Doctoral degree in clinical psychology or equivalent (health professions field), have an interest in clinical-research with older adults, be a US citizen or Permanent Resident and preference is given to those trained in an APA accredited doctoral program. Experience with older adults, geriatrics, cognitive-behavioral therapies, empirically-supported treatments, research, medical conditions, and neuropsychology is desirable but not a requirement.

Inquiries: Interested applicants are encouraged to send any inquiries including a letter of interest, CV, and three letters of support to Dr. Laura E. Dreer at:

Email: dreer@uab.edu or Office Address:

Laura E. Dreer, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Clinical Research Unit, Suite 609

University of Alabama at Birmingham

1720 University Boulevard

Birmingham, AL 35294

Telephone: (205) 325-8681

Review of applications will begin immediately with a hire expected as soon as a well-qualified candidate is identified. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and includes benefits. UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

We look forward to hearing from you!!

INFO: APA Press Release: Study Finds Healthy Older Brains Not Much Smaller Than Younger Brains

FYI…

 

Deborah DiGilio| Director, Office on Aging Public Interest Directorate American Psychological Association 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242 Tel: (202) 336-6135 |  Fax: (202) 336-6040 email: ddigilio@apa.org | www.apa.org/pi/aging
P Please consider the environment before printing this email.

 

---

From: Hobson, Christopher
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2009 10:18 AM
To: 'pressrel@lists.apa.org'
Subject: APA Press Release: Study Finds Healthy Older Brains Not Much Smaller Than Younger Brains

 

Contact:  Public Affairs Office

                  (202) 336-5700

                 public.affairs@apa.org                                                                           

 

healthy older brains not significantly smaller

than younger brains, new imaging study shows

 

Previous samples might have unknowingly

included people with early brain disease

 

Washington -- The belief that healthy older brains are substantially smaller than younger brains may stem from studies that did not screen out people whose undetected, slowly developing brain disease was killing off cells in key areas, according to new research. As a result, previous findings may have overestimated atrophy and underestimated normal size for the older brain.

 

The new study tested participants in Holland’s long-term Maastricht Aging Study who were free of neurological problems such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease or stroke. Once participants were deemed otherwise healthy, they took neuropsychological tests, including a screening test for dementia, at baseline and every three years afterward for nine years. 

 

According to the report in the September Neuropsychology, published by the American Psychological Association, participants were also given MRI scans at Year 3 to measure seven different parts of the brain, including the memory-laden hippocampus, the areas around it, and the frontal and cingulate areas of the cognitively critical cortex.

 

After examining behavioral data collected from 1994 to 2005 (with scans taken between 1997 and 1999 depending on when people entered the study), the researchers divided participants into two groups: one group with 35 cognitively healthy people who stayed free of dementia (average starting age 69.1 years), and the other group with 30 people who showed substantial cognitive decline but were still dementia-free (average starting age 69.2 years).

 

That cognitive decline was measured by drops of at least 30 percent on two or more of six core tests of verbal learning and fluency, recall, processing speed, and complex information processing, and/or drops of 3 or more points, or scores of 24 or lower (raising suspicion for cognitive impairment), on the Mini-Mental State Examination screening tool for dementia.

 

In contrast to the 35 people who stayed healthy, the 30 people who declined cognitively over nine years showed a significant effect for age in the hippocampus and parahippocampal areas, and in the frontal and cingulate cortices. In short, among the people whose cognition got worse, older participants had smaller brain areas than younger participants.

 

Thus, the seeming age-related atrophy in gray matter more likely reflected pathological changes in the brain that underlie significant cognitive decline than aging itself, the authors wrote. As long as people stay cognitively healthy, the researchers believe that the gray matter of areas supporting cognition might not shrink much at all. “If future longitudinal studies find similar results, our conception of ‘normal’ brain aging may become more optimistic,” said lead author Saartje Burgmans, who is due to receive her PhD later this year.

 

The findings should caution scientists about drawing conclusions from brain studies that don’t screen participants over time, using precise and objective definitions, the authors added.

 

Article: “The Prevalence of Cortical Gray Matter Atrophy May Be Overestimated In the Healthy Aging Brain,” Saartje Burgmans, PhD student, Martin P. J. van Boxtel, PhD, MD, Eric F. P. M. Vuurman, PhD, Floortje Smeets, PhD student, and Ed H. B. M. Gronenschild, PhD, Maastricht University; Harry B. M. Uylings, PhD, Maastricht University and VU University Medical Center Amsterdam; and Jelle Jolles, PhD, Maastricht University; Neuropsychology, Vol. 23, No. 5.

 

(Full text of the article is available from the APA Public Affairs Office and at http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/neu235541.pdf)  

 

Saartje Burgmans can be reached at s.burgmans@np.unimaas.nl or at (+31) 43 3881942.

           

The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world’s largest association of psychologists. APA’s membership includes more than 150,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession and as a means of promoting health, education and human welfare.

 

#       #       #

 

 

 

JOBS: Florence Levy Kay Postdoctoral Fellowship

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Florence Levy Kay Fellowship IN psychology and BEHAVIORAL ECONOMICS

Brandeis University invites applications for a two-year, non-renewable Florence Levy Kay Postdoctoral Fellowship for teaching and research at the intersection of Psychology and Economics, beginning Fall 2010.  This interdisciplinary joint appointment will be in the Departments of Psychology and Economics with the possibility of linkages with programs such as Neuroscience. The Fellow, who will be appointed as a faculty member at the rank of lecturer, will teach one course per semester, covering topics such as attitude formation and change, co-operation and competition, prosocial behavior, decision-making, game theory, behavioral economics, neuroeconomics, and distributive justice. The Fellow will also actively pursue his or her own research interests with the support of an $8000 research fund.

We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in any of the following fields as applied to the interface of psychology and economics: (i) motivated and emotion-guided choice, (ii) decision-making under uncertainty, (iii) valuation or utility; (iv) fairness, trust, and reciprocity; [v] empathy, sharing, and co-operation; (v) subliminal persuasion; (vi)  individual or cultural differences; [vii]  learning and emotion. Potential topics for study include the attentional, cognitive, and physiological (including neuroendocrine, hemodynamic, and neurophysiological) correlates of the phenomena listed above.  Opportunities are available for collaboration in research labs involving cross-cultural issues, lifespan development and aging, electrophysiology, neuroimaging, and neuroendocrine assessments, and eye-tracking.

The Ph.D. must be in hand by September 2010.  The salary for the first year is $53,732, plus university employee benefits and up to $1500 in moving expenses.  Send letter of interest, CV, brief description of research, copies of relevant publications, teaching evaluations, and three letters of recommendation to Kay Fellowship Search Committee, Department of Psychology MS 062, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454-9110.  First consideration will be given to candidates whose complete applications are received by January 15, 2010, but we will accept applications until the position is filled.

Brandeis University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, and strongly encourages applications from women and minority candidates.

 

INFO: Call For Nominations - APA Minority Fellowship Training and Advisory Committee

APA Minority Fellowship Training and Advisory Committee

 

The American Psychological Association's Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) is seeking nominations for four new members for the Training and Advisory Committee (TAC) of its Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (MHSAS) Fellowship funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration (SAMHSA).  Term of service is from March 2010 through March 2013.    

 

The principal aim of the APA Minority Fellowship Program in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is to identify, select, and support the training of doctoral level ethnic minority students and postdoctoral trainees whose prior experiences and clearly stated career goals suggest they will make significant contributions to the mental health and substance abuse services needs of ethnic and racial minorities.  This principal aim is directly related to efforts to reduce health disparities among ethnic minorities in the U.S. by filling a crucial need for mental health service providers.

 

The TAC plays a key role in selecting new Fellows and advising the MFP office regarding policy and program issues.  Committee members make policy and program recommendations, review fellowship and dissertation support applications, review Fellows' progress reports, mentor Fellows, and plan, attend, and assist with MFP activities at the APA Convention and other conferences.  Members also perform other duties as requested by the MFP director or TAC Chair. 

 

To fulfill its mandate for ethnic representation and its commitment to gender equity, the four vacant slots are for the following: a self-identified African American female, African American male, and Hispanic/Latino (male or female) psychologist and a community member (a previous consumer of mental health/substance abuse services). MFP welcomes the nomination of candidates who possess knowledge and expertise of other diverse populations (e.g., disability, early career, national origin, sexual orientation, etc.).

 

Selected candidates will be required to participate in two committee meetings per year and conference calls as needed.  These meetings are held in late winter and early fall. The winter meeting is convened at APA headquarters in Washington, DC, and the fall meeting is hosted by a TAC member at their institution.  Although honoraria are not provided, meeting travel expenses are covered.  TAC members are strongly urged to attend the APA annual convention at their own expense to participate in and assist with convention programming sponsored by MFP.

 

Nomination materials should include the: nominee’s letter of interest and qualification (including a statement of applicable experience and a demonstration of relevance to SAMHSA’s mission and priorities as well as a commitment to serve the entire term on the TAC if appointed), and a current curriculum vita. Although it is not required, candidates are encouraged to have letters (not more than three) supporting their nomination submitted to the Committee.  Self-nominations are encouraged.

 

Nominations and supporting materials should be sent no later than September 25, 2009, to MFP Nominations, c/o Sharlita Ford, Minority Fellowship Program, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, NE, Suite 710, Washington, DC, 20002-4242, by email sford@apa.org or fax (202) 336-6127.  New TAC members will be selected by early October. 

 

 

Deborah DiGilio| Director, Office on Aging Public Interest Directorate American Psychological Association 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242 Tel: (202) 336-6135 |  Fax: (202) 336-6040 email: ddigilio@apa.org | www.apa.org/pi/aging
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FUNDING: Int'l Conference on Aging funding announcement - application due Nov 30, 2009

 

Call for a Conference Proposal -

Margret M. and Paul B. Baltes International Conference on Aging 2010/11

The Margret M. and Paul B. Baltes Foundation has now opened the opportunity to submit a scientific conference proposal on the theme of aging,  covering the disciplines central to Margret M. and Paul B. Baltes’ work (psychology, gerontology and behavioral sciences). 

The successful applicant (university, research institution) will receive a lump sum of EURO 35,000 to be spent on the conference according to the NSF conference grant policy  (1).  Preference will be given to applicants whose team composition and/ or conference program includes both German and US based scholars.  The organizers will be fully responsible for all conference matters. 

The submission of the conference proposal (conference to be held in 2010 or 2011) should entail

 -  a brief description of the goal of the conference (max. 2 pp.), 

 -  session outlines, 

 -  a suggestion of (a) key speaker(s) and 

 -  a summarized budgetary and spending plan for the awarded sum. 

 -  The key organizers should indicate previous experience with organizing conferences and enclose a brief CV.

The proposals will be evaluated by the board of the Margret M. and Paul B. Baltes Foundation: Ursula M. Staudinger, Boris B. Baltes,  Christine Windbichler and Ulman Lindenberger.

Electronic submissions, to baltesfoundation@jacobs-university.de, are due no later than 30 November, 2009.  The successful applicant will be notified by January 15, 2010.

http://www.baltes-foundation.de/

 (1)  Allowability of costs, 625 Meetings and conferences http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/manuals/gpm05_131/gpm6.jsp

 --  
Prof. Dr. Ursula M. Staudinger
President German Psychologcal Society DGPs
Founding Dean Jacobs Center on Lifelong Learning and Institutional Development
Vice President Jacobs University Bremen


Jacobs University Bremen gGmbH
Campusring 1
28759 Bremen

Tel +49 421 2004700
Fax +49 421 2004703

email sekstaudinger@jacobs-university.de
web www.jacobs-university.de/jacobs
  

JOBS: Univ North Dakota

Open Faculty Positions:

The Psychology Department at the U. North Dakota is recruiting three tenure-track assistant professors for fall 2010. One position is in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in child development. The second position is in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in neuropsychology, diversity, or health psychology. The third position is in Forensic Psychology (expertise area open). The department has approx. 400 undergrad majors and offers two Master's and two Ph.D. programs. The clinical Ph.D. program has been continuously accredited since 1969 and houses the largest and most successful Indians into Psychology Doctoral Education program in the country. Salaries are competitive. Requirements for all positions are a Ph.D. in Psychology by 8/15/10, evidence of potential for effective teaching and scholarly promise. Review of applications will begin October 30, 2009; applications accepted until the positions are filled. Send a letter of application, current CV, graduate transcript, and 3 original letters of recommendation to Mark Grabe, Psychology Department, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, 58202-8380. Applicants should identify the position for which they are applying. UND is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
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I would like to have this ad added to the list.  thanks
RFerraro

INFO: The President's View of the APA Convention

From Sarah Jordan, sjordan@apa.org

The President’s View of the APA Convention

James H. Bray, Ph.D.

President, American Psychological Association

August 2009

 

Travel Log—August 17, 2009.  Getting back into my day job after a wonderful APA Convention.  My one trip this month was for the APA Annual Convention in Toronto Canada.  Toronto is one of my favorite cities and a great place to hold our convention---it did not disappoint this time.

 

Many people, including me, had travel challenges getting to the convention.  My wife and I secured seats on an earlier flight out of Houston.  After flying for two hours (total flight time is 3 hours to Toronto), the pilot came on and said that we had been flying out of our way to avoid bad weather and now there was a mechanical problem and we would be returning to Houston.  After we landed, the pilot said that the mechanical problem was because an exterior door was not properly closed (this is a pilot error) and we would refuel and head back out to Toronto.  After sitting in the small plane for another hour we finally took off and arrived about 5 minutes before our original flight.  A few days later many Council representatives sat on the tarmac at the Toronto airport for hours because other planes could not take off due to bad weather. 

 

What’s it like to be President at the APA Convention? —It’s great fun, lots of meetings and appearances, and little time for anything else.  You are ON all of the time and going from about 6:30 AM until midnight everyday—oh how I wished I would have worked out more before the convention.  As Past-president Alan Kazdin said, you are so busy you don’t have time for bathroom breaks—they just give you a catheter. 

 

Board of Directors Meeting, Tuesday August 4, 2009

The BOD has a half-day meeting to discuss issues and get ready for the Council meeting the next day.  We had a very packed agenda that included passing our strategic plan, reviewing our budget and financial situation, discussing changes to the APA Ethics code regarding rules 1.02 and 1.03, accepting reports on global climate change and on whether sexual orientation can be changed through therapy, and discussing of whether to continue to have delegates from the four ethnic minority psychological associations at Council meetings.  In the background was the lawsuit between APA and the APA Insurance Trust and the ongoing saga of psychologists and the interrogation issues.  Any and all of these could easily take up an entire session of Council, so the BOD discusses how to manage the issues and accomplish our agenda. 

 

For me it was a special day—celebrating our second wedding anniversary with my wife, Elizabeth.  So I skipped most of the Council caucus meetings that evening, to spend time with my dear wife. 

 

Council Meeting, Wednesday August 5, 2009

The Council meeting starts with presidential citations and an update on my Presidential initiatives.  I gave citations to Ken Sher, Janet Swim, and APA staffer Randy Phelps.  I am excited that we passed our strategic plan—the first ever for APA in its 117-year history.  We still have some work to do on our core values, which will be handled at the February 2010 meeting. 

 

Running a meeting with over 170 people who have strong opinions and who like to talk (we are after all psychologists) is challenging.  We have parliamentary rules to follow and my parliamentarian, Andy Benjamin, was constantly writing notes to help me deal with requests and rules that apply.  It is multi-tasking to the max, keeping the agenda moving forward, recognizing speakers, watching for others who want to speak, and keeping order all at the same time.  I did not learn this in graduate school, but after the February Council meeting, I felt comfortable in the role.  Now that I am experienced—I am done. 

 

The budget discussion was difficult and gut wrenching, as we had to lay off a number of employees, cut some very valuable programs and governance activities, such as dropping our Fall round of board and committee meetings in 2010, cut APA’s funding for the Archives of the History of Psychology, and other programs.  No one was happy with these changes and it is a difficult part of being a leader to keep APA in solid financial shape. 

 

After such a long and stressful day, I was ready for some fun—and it came in the next set activities.  The Association of Practicing Psychologists caucus honored the Board of Directors by making us action heroes based on the Pirates of the Caribbean movie—I was named the “Master and Commander.”  They presented us with funny posters with our pictures photo-shopped in.  My wife and I next attended the banquet for the Asian American Psychological Association.  The AAPA holds a one-day conference the day before the APA convention starts—great group of people.

 

Then it was time to convene the Dance Caucus in my suite. The Royal Suite at the Fairmont is where Queen Elizabeth of England stays when visiting Toronto.  The Dance Caucus is a group of Council members and friends who get together after dinner to go dance and get some exercise.  We moved the furniture out of the living room (I wonder what Queen Elizabeth would think of this?) and brought in a boom box to get down and sweaty.  Folks were having great fun, but I had to close it down at mid-night to get ready for day 1 of the convention. 

 

Convention Day 1, Thursday August 6, 2009

There were two big highlights of the first day of the convention.  The day started with APA’s first “Community Day.”  I believe that we should give back to the cities that we visit for convention. APA co-sponsored with the National Institute of Mental Health and the Ontario Aids community day of programming for local community workers, titled "Family Front and Centre: The Role of Families in Adapting to and Preventing HIV/AIDS.”  We had over 200 people attend to learn the latest research findings and interventions to help families with the HIV/AIDS. 

 

In between I hosted meetings with delegations from the Canadian Psychological Association and Australian Psychological Society.  We signed a memorandum of understanding between APA and APS to work more closely together. 

 

Opening session.   The opening session was terrific and great fun.  We started with music by Funkadesi (www.funkadesi.com), who is a band with musicians from all over the world, including a few psychologists.  It is hard to characterize their music, but it got the crowd on their feet—including our keynote speaker Congressman Brian Baird.

 

We honored Pat DeLeon and Alan Kazdin with the APA’s highest honor—the Life-time Achievement Awards and the film, “The Soloist,” with a special award for its sensitive depiction of homelessness and serious mental illness.   

 

Congressman Brian Baird gave the opening keynote address.  He is a psychologist, former department chair (said he was revising his textbook) and an outstanding speaker.  He gave us an inside look at what is happening on Capital Hill in regards to health care reform and how psychology is contributing to many areas, including climate change research and our defense operations.

 

Between the opening session and a reception in my suite, I had to make appearances and presentations at several places.  We stopped by the Division 45 “Links and Shoulders” social hour to present a presidential citation to Stanley Sue for his lifetime contributions to Asian psychology and multi-cultural work. 

 

That evening we had a special reception for Congressman Baird and then 13 of us joined him for dinner in the Royal Suite.   Before dinner I gave Margy Heldring and Hank Taylor Presidential citations.  Hank for his outstanding contributions to aviation psychology and Margy for our great work as co-chair of my Task Force on the Future of Psychology Practice. 

 

Congressman Baird had to step out to do a media appearance on the Rachel Maddow MSNBC show and then he returned.  It was a special evening with old friends, honored guests and Brain.  He entertained us with stories of Capitol Hill and all of the good work he is doing in the Congress.  What a great way to end the first day of convention!

 

Convention Day 2, Friday August 7, 2009

Day 2 started with 2 breakfasts and then presentation of Karl F. Heiser Awards for professional advocacy at the Division 31 ceremony.  Heiser awards started as presidential awards by long-time friend, Jack Wiggins, to honor people who made major contributions to advocacy.  Division 31 took over these awards a few years ago.

 

I had two major programs today.  First was a symposium and town hall meeting on the Future of Psychology Practice Task Force and Summit.  It was a great opportunity to share the work of the task force and summit with APA members and get their feedback.  You can see parts of the summit on the APA website (http://www.apa.org/practice/summit.html). 

 

After a cold hotdog in the convention center (only thing to eat nearby), I gave my Presidential Address, The Future of Psychology Practice and Science.  There will be a summary of the talk in the October APA Monitor.  I then chaired a session on methodology by Scott Maxwell.  Presidential citations were given to Scott and George Howard for their many contributions to APA and psychology.  Scott and George were my mentors in graduate school—it was a special treat to have them at the convention to celebrate my presidency. 

 

The rest of the afternoon was spent giving awards at the APA and American Psychological Foundation ceremony, where many of APA’s highest awards are presented.  Some of my dear friends, like Bob Reznik, received awards. 

 

After a brief stop at this reception, I had to run upstairs to the suite for a reception honoring the speakers from the NIMH who presented in the Convention Within the Convention.  I also presented Ellen Garrison, NIMH staff, with a presidential citation for her long-time contributions to psychology and prevention of HIV/AIDS. 

 

Too many places to be and the APA cloning machine was broken, so my fellow APA board members presented presidential citations to David Baker for his innovative practice and Neil Pliskin for his long-time work with APA.  I was thinking—after a cold hotdog for lunch, when was there time for dinner at one of the great Toronto restaurants—alas, no time and finger food at the receptions had to be substituted for dinner. 

 

My wife was kind enough to serve as host, as I had to leave early to attend several other events—the big one being the APA’s first “Speed Mentoring” at the Hockey Hall of Family.  Around 240 graduate students and early career psychologists had the opportunity to talk with 4 famous psychologists and former APA presidents and interact with their peers.  It was lots of fun.  I wondered around for awhile as my schedule had the wrong room in the wrong hotel for my next event, which was to present a presidential citation to Jim Alexander at the Society of Family Psychology reception.  Finally it was time for some relaxation as I headed back to my suite for wine tasting with friends.  This is a hobby of mine and a group of us shared some outstanding bottles of wine to end the evening.  I would love to have a wine tasting as part of the next APA convention. 

 

Convention Day 3, Saturday August 8, 2009

Up early for two more breakfasts—the Education Advocacy breakfast and the Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs breakfast—do you hear me clucking after all of those eggs?

 

Next stop was another Board of Directors meeting.  This meeting was to discuss hot issues that were happening at the convention and to prepare for the Sunday Council meeting.  The hot issues were the APA and APA Insurance Trust dispute and an issue around funding for the Archives of Psychology at the University of Akron.  This BOD works very well together and provides great support for me.  It is reassuring to have this level of support. 

 

With barely time to eat lunch, it was off to make a presentation.  Last year I won the research award from the Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers and this was a talk about my work.  Following this was the annual town hall meeting for members to discuss anything with the president, president-elect and CEO.  Last year, this was a high stress meeting with tough questions regarding the interrogation issue, concerns about APA’s position about therapy for GLBT, and a number of other hot issues.  By comparison, this year was mild and a friendly discussion about a range of issues from the budget to health care reform. 

 

Next was the symposium on psychology’s contribution to ending homelessness—this is one of my presidential initiatives and we had a great presentation and discussion about these issues.  Then off to present a presidential citation to Frank deGruy, MD for his contributions to collaborations with psychology and primary care.  Frank came to the Summit on the Future of Psychology Practice and was an invited speaker at the APA convention. 

 

I had 30 minutes to visit the exhibits and see my new book, The Handbook of Family Psychology at the Wiley booth.   Several people spotted me and wanted to talk about their concerns and issues, so I told them that we needed to speed walk the exhibits and talk—more multi-tasking. 

 

Back to the suite to freshen up for the evening.  Next up was the Division 42 social hour, where innovative practice presidential citations were presented to Michael Enright, Michael Cuttler, David Fisher, and Dave Driscoll and a presidential citation to Frank Froman.  Next stop was the APA Science Directorate social to present a presidential citation to Linda Bartoshuk for her research on taste (her work influenced the way wine is rated and evaluated) and to present the Brain Bee winners trophies.  Dinner tonight was the food at the reception.  After a brief stop at the Division 55 social hour it was off to the Association for the Advancement of Psychology reception to honor Congresswoman and psychologist, Judy Chu.  Dr. Chu is the newest member of Congress (D-CA--she had been in less than 2 weeks).  She is going to be a terrific Member and supporter of psychology.  

 

It was time to get ready for the President’s party and dance.  We had a bit of wine tasting before the party.  We were fashionably late, but kicked into gear for some great fun and dancing.  The band was an outstanding dance group and the floor was packed.  We closed them down about mid-night and then back to my suite for a few more hours of after party fun with friends and guests from Norway.

 

Convention Day 4, Sunday August 9, 2009

At this point I was running on diet coke and adrenalin.  The big task for the day was the second session of the APA Council meeting.  We had some difficult issues to deal with that included discussing the APA Insurance Trust issues and funding for the Archives of Psychology.  About an hour into the meeting I did not think we would make it through the agenda, so we started to scramble.  Working with the staff we were able to postpone a couple of items and then we started to roll.  We finished the agenda with a few minutes to spare.  After an ovation for the good work we all did---it was all over—hard to believe we had been in Toronto an entire week.  It was time to go pack and head for the airport. 

 

Little did we know that bad weather and a mix-up in my wife’s ticket was about to throw a wrench into our otherwise pleasant day.  It was like a repeat of the beginning of the journey—hurry up and wait.  Many colleagues had been at the airport for hours before we arrived, so I had no place to complain—in fact it was a great opportunity to have some more good-byes.  Once on the airplane, we waved good-bye to Toronto and looked forward to sleeping in our own bed.  

 

Home for a month.  After traveling so much this year, it is odd to be home for so long, but it is well needed, as there are many household tasks to complete (we returned home and our air conditioning broke—98^o and no AC is not fun) but our dogs were very happy to see us back home. 

 

No travel, but still lots of APA business to deal with everyday.  Lots of positive comments from the convention and issues to deal with after the Council meeting. 

 

What’s next?—two trips to DC for meetings and then off to Australia for two weeks to give talks and attend the Australian Psychological Society. 

 

Happy Trails.  Thanks for the wonderful convention.  I hope you will write and share your experiences of the convention with me. 

 

James

 

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James H. Bray, Ph.D.

Department of Family & Community Medicine

Baylor College of Medicine

3701 Kirby Drive, 6th Floor

Houston, TX 77098

(713) 798-7752

President, American Psychological Association

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