Public Policy
Stay informed about public policies that impact the field of psychotherapy and mental health care. This section provides analysis and updates on legislation, regulations, and policy initiatives that influence the practice of psychotherapy.
50 articles found
The Rising Tides—Waves of Change
One of the advantages of serving on the U.S. Senate staff or the APA Board of Directors (especially as President) is that one is systematically exposed to evolving trends within our nation’s healthcare environment and the field of psychology. The position essentially forces one to think creatively beyond personal agendas and previous “comfort” levels. One’s […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
December 7, 2018
Conversations and Turning Points in the Life of a Major Policy Change in Colorado
Background In the spring of 2016, a highly debated Colorado bill came across the desk of Governor Hickenlooper, forcing him to make a tough decision. The piece of legislation, Senate Bill 16-269 (SB16-269), set out to solve a specific regulatory concern for hospitals regarding their ability to accept individuals brought to their door on an […]
Ravid Moses Gur, M.A.
October 20, 2018
Statement of APA President Regarding Why Women May Not Report Sexual Assault
http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2018/09/report-sexual-assault.aspx September 24, 2018 Statement of APA President Regarding the Science Behind Why Women May Not Report Sexual Assault: Traumatic memories stored differently in the brain, according to psychological research WASHINGTON — Following is a statement by Jessica Henderson Daniel, PhD, president of the American Psychological Association, regarding what the scientific research says about the reporting […]
Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy
September 25, 2018
“Never Doubt That a Small Group of Thoughtful, Committed Citizens Can Change the World . . .
The very last event which APA President Tony Puente presided over was to personally present the Presidential Citation to former Division 29 President Ron Fox. “On the closing of the American Psychological Association’s 125th anniversary, I, Antonio E. Puente, as President of our venerable society bestow upon Ronald E. Fox this APA Presidential citation on […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
May 4, 2018
“This Country Will Not Be a Permanently Good Place for Any of Us . . .”
Developing a Visionary Perspective After nearly four decades of involvement at the federal policy level, we have come to appreciate how those who serve in higher office (whether within the Congress, the Administration, or their national professional associations) often develop an intuitive understanding of the “waves of change” and how their interests and expertise must […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
December 30, 2017
Washington Scene
Continuing Progress at the State Level On April 3, 2017, Idaho became the fifth state in the nation to allow prescriptive authority to psychologists. After three years of work by the Idaho Psychological Association, the legislation passed both houses without opposition and with only two nay votes. How did this happen? Here are a few […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
August 6, 2017
When the Sun’s Coming Up
A Renewed Vision This January, Beth Rom-Rymer invited me to attend her second networking event in furtherance of the Illinois Psychological Association’s (IPA) prescriptive authority (RxP) quest. “It has never been more clear to me that the work of legislation is an ongoing process. Our RxP law’s Rules are moving through a careful approval process. […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
April 7, 2017
Public Policy Challenges
Over the past several months I have started many times to write articles for the Bulletin, and each time my thoughts have been hijacked by yet another massive assault on the collective values of our profession. The preamble to the APA Ethics Code (2010, with amendments as of January 1, 2017) makes it clear that […]
Rosemary Adam-Terem, Ph.D.
April 7, 2017
Science Advocacy
Science advocacy is a topic that typically does not garner much attention—or excitement—for us as psychologists. Additionally, as psychologists we usually have many other things at the top of our to-do lists, including research, clinical work, supervision, teaching, or writing. Science advocacy rarely figures on that list. At the same time, if national decision makers […]
Susan S. Woodhouse, Ph.D.
April 7, 2017
“Why Don’t You Let Me Go Home?”
The Importance of Pursuing One’s Passion It is exciting to reflect upon the challenges which dedicated colleagues have willingly embraced, especially when they are serving the “public good.” Two of our true RxP pioneers, who from the beginning have been on the front-line treating those in need of appropriate psychopharmacological care, have recently joined forces […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
December 31, 2016
Washington Scene
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) The VA is the largest employer of psychologists and nurses, and over the years has done an outstanding job of providing high quality health care while simultaneously furthering the utilization of non-physician providers of all disciplines. Thanks to the vision of Toni and Bob Zeiss and the support of […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
October 7, 2016
Forgiving Hoffman
I have been thinking a lot recently about the concept of forgiveness, probably because, truth be told, I am not very good at it. If resentment really is “like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies,” as Nelson Mandela has been said to caution (Durando, 2013), then I’m pretty sure I should […]
Rayna D. Markin, Ph.D.
August 17, 2016