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
I was reminiscing just the other day. While having coffee all alone.
At the end of 2023, Alex Siegel, Director of Professional Affairs, Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, reported that there were 40 jurisdictions (39 effective), out of a total of 55 states and territories, which had adopted and were part of the PSYPACT Commission. The Psychological Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) allows for increased access of […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
January 16, 2024
Being Informed About Informed Consent
Part One: Foundational Issues The informed consent process is an essential component of ethical, legal, and clinically effective practice by psychotherapists. Yet, how we engage in this process can have significant implications for the unfolding professional relationship and for the assessment, treatment, or other professional services provided. This is the first of four consecutive articles […]
Jeffrey E. Barnett, Psy.D., ABPP
November 22, 2023
“Please Don’t Take Him Just Because You Can”
2018 Was A Great Year: In March, the APA Practice Leadership Conference (PLC) celebrated its 35th anniversary with over 300 colleagues honoring Katherine Nordal during her final PLC. “During my career, I have tried to embody and facilitate this affirming, strategic collaboration between practice and other parts of our discipline, connected groups and organizations, policymakers […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
November 22, 2023
“Love as fresh as the morning air”
APA/APA Services’ Exciting Virtual Advocacy Summit Alix Ginsberg, Senior Director Congressional & Federal Relations: “On March 26-27th, APA/APA Services’ hosted its first Virtual Advocacy Summit of 2023, ‘Strengthening the Psychology Workforce to Improve Health Equity.’ This Summit included over 200 psychologists from 49 states, as well as Puerto Rico and Washington, DC, and represented 13 […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
October 27, 2023
“I’ve seen it rainin’ in the sky”
Advocating for Youth Mental Health Research and Stronger Protections for Children on Social Media Alix Ginsberg, Senior Director of APA Congressional & Federal Relations – “On June 15th nearly 60 APA member psychologists participated in 150 meetings with their Members of Congress on Capitol Hill to advocate for youth mental health research and stronger protections […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
October 27, 2023
“Heard A Sound, Turned Around, Looking Up, Looking Down”
The Politically Divided 118th Congress: NBC News recently noted that more than 50 years ago, two female lawmakers led a Congressional Committee for the first time: the House of Representatives Select Committee on the Beauty Shop. This Congress, women will hold all four of the top positions on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees for […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
April 9, 2023
“We’ve Been Standing on Your Shoulders, Pete, for Oh, So Many Years… There’s a Banjo Ringing Somewhere and a Yodel in the Air”
“Blue Sky” Thinking – Emerging Trends, Priorities, and Opportunities: The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) released its Special Publication Priorities on the Health Horizon: Informing PCORI’s Strategic Plan in 2021. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) was established as a component of President Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with the mission of identifying […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
January 5, 2023
“I once did know a president. Away down south, in Texas”
Perhaps more than ever before, this Administration has highlighted for the nation the critical importance of mental and behavioral health. Last year, U.S. Public Health Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released his Advisory — Protecting Youth Mental Health. “(T)he challenges today’s generation of young people face are unprecedented and uniquely hard to navigate. And the effect […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
September 1, 2022
“Where Once it Never Rained til After Sundown”
The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) provides an intriguing view of the multitude of forces influencing our nation’s health care system, from the broad interprofessional perspective of the behavioral sciences, law, engineering, nursing, medicine, etc. Some of the timeliest topics recently addressed include: Health Disparities, Global Warming, Advances in Technology (including Telehealth), Disinformation regarding COVID-19, […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
March 24, 2022
“These are the Days of Lazers in the Jungle”
Five years ago, at the 2016 State Leadership Conference, Expanding the Practice Spectrum, Governor Ted Strickland was the APAPO-PAC Honoree, and if I recall correctly, Representative Tim Murphy also attended. Katherine Nordal, Executive Director for Professional Practice, enthusiastically welcomed the attendees to the 33rd annual conference: “It’s been quite a year for APA. I know […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
December 2, 2021
“Oh then I saw her face”
Visionary Leadership One of the surprisingly positive aspects of the COVID-19 experience has been society’s growing awareness of the importance of quality mental health services and the adverse consequences of our traditionally reactive, individual-oriented approach. On a personal level, we have been very pleased with the recent increase in media attention to this critical aspect […]
Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.
November 15, 2021
Exploring Suicide and Violent Videogames
Claiming the lives of over 48,000 Americans per year, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States (CDC, 2018). This number alone may present as shocking to many; however, this number only depicts the amount of deaths due to suicide. It does not take into account the estimated 1.4 million suicide […]
Joshua W. Deitte, PsyD + 1 more
August 8, 2021